Op-Ed: Everything is Figureoutable but…
I am a Marie Forleo fan.
I’ve been following her YouTube videos since she started the Q&A Tuesday episodes, and I’m impressed by her achievements over the years.
I don’t watch her videos that much nowadays because of KDrama binge-watching. But when I feel stuck, I turn to her videos to reignite my inspiration.
Despite her wisdom, I came to this point where I questioned “Everything is Figureoutable,” an idea she shared with her followers. And that’s what this post is all about.
I’m not saying I don’t support it. In fact, I set up my profile on Odesk, opened a bank account, registered on Paypal, and finally got my first freelancing gig in 2012 — all thanks to figuring things out.
But after some thought, here’s what I realized:
First, the concept is only handy when you’re starting something new, especially if you don’t have a mentor or can’t afford a University education. Because there’s no one to turn to, in most cases, this is the closest alternative to learning the ropes.
Second, it gives you a bit of a head start, but here’s what makes it tricky. When you figure things out, you’re not starting on square one. You’re actually starting at the midpoint of the process. I’ll explain more later with the two examples I’ve got ready.
Lastly, this approach won’t cut it if you aim to master a skill because it might take you ages to figure everything out.
Here are the two examples to make my point clear. One example is creating a social media reel, and the second is setting up a home bakery business.
First, let’s talk about creating social media reels.
Most amateurs think having a phone and one idea is enough to get started. So they brainstorm ideas, use whatever camera they have, shoot the video, and upload it.
This looks like the first step to content creation, but it’s actually the midpoint of the process.
So, what’s the starting point?
The starting point begins with learning Digital Marketing 101.
What I’m getting at is, you can grab your phone and shoot a video on the fly. But if you’re clueless about how the social media algorithm works, your content can’t be found.
If you have no idea about SEO, you might not gain followers, and you might resort to creating clickbait content like controversies and fake news.
Along the process, you might burn out producing content just because you don’t have a content calendar.
Social media algorithms, SEO, and content calendars are part of digital marketing. It helps brands to decide what marketing strategy to use to reach more customers on different online platforms.
If you’ve got the knack or what some might call a “gift, you might figure things out effortlessly.
But if you’re in it to win it, you’ve got to have that solid foundation. It’s like sharpening your tools in the shed before getting down to business. And that usually means taking short courses, attending seminars, or even enrolling in university classes.
Taking this leap can make all the difference.
Now, let me share with you my second example, which is starting a home bakery business.
Many bakers begin their business by following a recipe, buying ingredients, baking, and selling the products. But they are not geek enough to understand bookkeeping, taxes, and business jargon. They’re only fired up with enthusiasm and the will to continue what they started.
So when their business isn’t going well, they keep denying it. Or maybe they can’t pinpoint, the real problem.
If you stick with the “Everything is Figureoutable” mindset all the way, you’ll end up dabbling in a bunch of trial and error before you get the right answer. If you keep doing it in business, you may end up wasting your resources and risking your finances.
“Everything is Figureoutable” is a good starting point but it can’t replace the structured guidance you get from a proper education.
We have to start somewhere and this idea can help us take that initial step. But once you’re moving, having a clear direction is crucial. The best approach is to pivot from learning the fundamentals and then master everything from there.
