Figure It Out
4 minute read
Life throws curveballs. Whether you’re navigating school, relationships, or starting your first job, challenges are inevitable. The “Figure It Out” mindset is about embracing these challenges head-on. It’s about being proactive, resourceful, and resilient. Instead of waiting for instructions or fearing mistakes, you take initiative, learn from failures, and keep moving forward.
TL;DR
Adopting the “Figure It Out” mindset means taking charge of your life and taking it on as your own responsibility that you are going to “figure out the problem and do something about it”. Be a man of action. Don’t wait for someone to ask you. Don’t wait for someone to tell you. If you are prepared for the potential consequences then Ask for Forgiveness, Not Permission and take action.
Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.
What It Means to “Figure It Out”
When you are a child, adults solve the problems around you. As you grow up, you realize that No One is Coming to Save You. You have to take charge of your own life. If something is broken, fix it. If something is missing, replace it. If you don’t know how to do something, learn. The “Figure It Out” mindset is about taking ownership of your problems and finding solutions without anyone prompting you or asking you. It’s not about having all the answers; it’s about being willing to look for them.
At its core, this mindset is about trusting yourself to solve problems. It doesn’t mean you have all the answers, but it means you’re willing to find them. You’re not stuck waiting for someone else to tell you what to do. You take action. Be a man of action.
Real Talk: No One is Coming to Save You
If your default mindset is to wait for someone else to take the lead, you’re going to get stuck. Shift your mindset. You can do something to help your situation. You can and should take action. You can and should figure it out. Stop waiting.
Take Initiative
See a problem? Try something. Don’t overthink. Start with the tools you have, even if they’re not perfect. You’ll learn faster by doing than by planning forever.
Be Resourceful
You don’t need the perfect plan or all the answers. Use what’s available. Ask questions. Google stuff. Try. Fail. Adjust. Try again. Fail Fast and Fail Forward.
AI Tools to Help You Figure Things Out
- ChatGPT: Get explanations, brainstorm ideas, or break down problems.
- YouTube: Learn almost anything, from car repairs to calculus.
- Reddit: Find real-world advice and experiences.
- Notion or Trello: Organize your thoughts and plans.
Resilience Is Your Superpower
You will mess up. That’s not a bug — it’s a feature. Every mistake is a chance to grow. Resilience is what keeps you going after a failure.
Ask for Forgiveness, Not Permission
Ask for Forgiveness, Not Permission doesn’t mean act recklessly. It means don’t let fear of rejection, bureaucracy, useless processes, or slow approvals stop you from trying to solve a problem. Take thoughtful risks.
You see your team stuck in a school project. Instead of waiting for the leader to make a move, you create a rough outline and share it. Maybe it’s not perfect — but now you’ve got momentum.
When to Actually Ask for Permission
There are moments where permission matters — legal stuff, safety, or when your decision could seriously affect others. But most of the time? You’re just holding yourself back. If you can take a reasonable action without causing serious harm, do it. If you’re not sure, ask yourself: “What’s the worst that could happen?” If the answer is “not much,” then go for it. Just figure it out!
Final Thoughts
“Figure it out” isn’t about being reckless or pretending you know everything. It’s about being willing to learn, act, and improve. That mindset can take you further than talent or luck. So much of this world is sitting stagnant waiting for someone to take action. Be that person. Take the initiative.
Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.