Decoding Amygdala Lies vs. Prefrontal Cortex Creativity

March Debrief: "Everything is Figureoutable"

Hello, fellow growth-minded professionals!

Our March book club delved into the neuroscience behind Marie Forleo's "Everything is Figureoutable" without even realizing it. At its core, Forleo's philosophy aligns perfectly with how our brains function: when we face challenges, our amygdala (the brain's fear center) often triggers doubt and resistance, while our prefrontal cortex—responsible for problem-solving and creativity—holds the capacity to overcome virtually any obstacle. Our discussion explored how to quiet those limiting "amygdala lies" like "I can't figure this out" and activate our prefrontal cortex's natural ability to find solutions, make connections, and create pathways forward that we couldn't initially see.

Key Themes from Our Discussion

The Power of Belief

We began by examining how our thoughts directly influence our outcomes. Marie's central premise that "whether you think you can or think you can't – you're right" (based on Henry Ford’s original quote) resonated deeply with our group. We discussed practical approaches to identifying and transforming limiting beliefs into empowering ones.

The group shared various techniques for catching negative self-talk and replacing it with more constructive framing. As one member noted, "Taking small steps toward a goal proves to your brain that something is possible, and confidence is built through action, not just thinking about change."

Owning Your Choices

Shifting from victim mentality to ownership emerged as a crucial theme. While we can't control every circumstance in our lives, we can control our responses. The group explored how this stoic approach enables us to reclaim our power even in challenging situations.

We had a meaningful conversation about the art of saying "no" and setting healthy boundaries. Several members shared their journeys toward recognizing when they were giving away responsibility, particularly around time management and people-pleasing behaviors.

Defining Your Dream (Really and Truly)

One of the most impactful exercises we discussed was Marie's prompt to write down "What do I really and truly want?" The group reflected on how rarely we actually articulate our deepest desires, and how transformative it can be to capture them on paper.

We explored how these answers naturally shift throughout different seasons of life, and the importance of regularly reassessing our priorities. The distinction between superficial wants and our authentic, deeper desires proved particularly thought-provoking.

Overcoming Fear

The group examined Marie's perspectives on fear, including the insight that 85% of what we fear never actually happens. We discussed practical techniques for de-catastrophizing fears and building resilience.

Several members shared how they've applied the question "What would I do if I weren't afraid?" to breakthrough moments in their careers and personal lives. This simple reframing helps distinguish between genuine warning signals and fears that merely hold us back.

Start Before You're Ready & Persist

As we wrapped up, we explored Marie's encouragement to begin before feeling fully prepared. We acknowledged that perfection is often the enemy of progress, and that momentum itself generates clarity.

The group also highlighted the critical role of persistence in achieving meaningful goals. As one member aptly put it, "Sometimes you're overwhelmed by problems and what-ifs. You need to step away, take a walk, and stop thinking about it—that's often when clarity or a lightbulb moment arrives."

Join Us Next Time!

After thoughtful consideration, we've selected our next book: "The 5 Types of Wealth". This insightful framework examines wealth through five dimensions, —offering a holistic view of what true abundance looks like:

⏳ Time

👫 Social

🧠 Mental

💪 Physical

💰 Financial

Mark your calendars for Friday, May 2nd from 1-2 PM ET!

Whether you've been with us from the beginning or are curious about joining, we'd love to have you. Our discussions are always judgment-free, insightful, and energizing.

To join our next session, simply join below or (even better) comment below and I’ll forward you the Teams invite!

Join the meeting now | Meeting ID: 271 082 628 916 | Passcode: tdaEpa

Until then, remember: everything is figureoutable!

In partnership,