The Mindset That Built My Life: Just Figure It Out
Most people never start because they don’t know how. What if that’s the best place to begin?
I read a Substack article the other day that hit me so hard I almost stood up and clapped. It was about figuring it out—and I thought, this is me in a nutshell. It put into words what I’ve been doing for the last 35 years of my life.
People always ask how I’ve done so much. Two children’s books. A podcast. A nonprofit. A production company. Stand-up Comedy. Motivational Speaking. The truth?
I didn’t know what I was doing.
I just had ideas—and I figured them out.
The Podcast I Had No Business Starting
When I launched my podcast, Mindset Lessons from the Field, I didn’t know how to podcast. I didn’t know how to record or edit or promote anything.
I just knew I wanted to market men new book and I thought a podcast was the best way to build a fan base. I got Coach Mac as my first guest & I hit “record.”
That was it.
Today, I did over 63 podcast episodes. I do the research for each guest, video interviews, edit reels, write show notes, create Substack chapters, pull out quotes for social media, and produce it all myself.
It’s more work than my full-time job ever was. And guess what?
I still haven’t monetized it.
Only one episode has broken 1,000 listens. My following isn’t huge. My growth is slow. In a world obsessed with viral numbers and downloads—I’m building brick by brick.
And still…I keep going.
Why?
Because I get to meet the coolest people on the planet.
Because I learn something in every interview.
Because I believe in the mission.
And because I know—I’ll figure it out.
The Nonprofit I Had No Idea How to Run
When I started EmpowerLit, I had no idea what I was doing.
No clue how to start a nonprofit. No clue how to raise money.
No clue how to get sponsors, write grants, or manage a board.
But I knew this:
Kids deserve to feel like they belong.
They deserve to read stories that reflect them.
And they deserve to know they matter.
So I said yes. And I figured it out.
I googled how to file for 501(c)(3) status. I asked people smarter than me for help. I wrote a grant. I got denied. I wrote ten more. Got denied again.
Then I got two.
I figured it out.
Now, I visit schools. Kids hug me after assemblies. They tell me Cosmo the Alien made them feel seen. That’s the win. That’s the fuel.
I still feel clueless 90% of the time. But I’m still in it.
Because I’m willing to be bad at something long enough to get good.
Why Most People Never Start
I talk to people all the time who say things like:
“I want to write a book. I just don’t know where to start.”
“I’ve had an idea for a podcast for years…”
“I want to launch a business, but I’m not ready yet.”
And here’s the truth:
You’ll never feel ready. And no one knows where to start.
Most people don’t avoid action because they’re lazy.
They avoid it because they’re afraid of being seen failing.
Of doing something messy. Imperfect. Cringey.
But that’s where all the magic is.
Start Before You’re Ready
When I first tried stand-up, I gave myself four weeks.
I’d never been on a stage before. I didn’t know how to write a set.
But I showed up. I stood under the lights. I told the jokes.
Was I amazing? Nope.
But I started. And starting is everything.
A friend once told me, “The last thing you put out should be the worst thing you ever do.”
Because that means you’re growing. Getting better.
That means you’re in it.
And when you’re in it, you’re figuring it out.
The Truth About Success
Let me tell you what success actually looks like:
It looks like posting TikToks every day for a year and getting six book sales.
It looks like filming a reel that flops after you spent hours editing it.
It looks like showing up when no one’s clapping yet.
It looks like getting 10 rejections and still writing that 11th grant.
It looks like not quitting.
People think success is a final destination.
But it’s not.
It’s a decision. Over and over again. To keep going.
Why “Figuring It Out” Is the Mindset That Changes Everything
You don’t need a five-year plan.
You don’t need perfect timing.
You don’t need to know all the answers.
You need courage. You need curiosity.
You need to believe that you can learn as you go.
And that’s what I’ve done my entire life.
I didn’t know how to write a book. I figured it out.
I didn’t know how to start a business. I figured it out.
I didn’t know how to survive Navy SEAL prep. I figured it out.
Was I scared? Absolutely.
Did I feel underqualified? Always.
Did I show up anyway?
Every single time.
Your Turn
So what’s the thing you’ve been putting off because you “don’t know how”?
Write it down.
Then take one messy step.
Send the email. Make the call. Film the first take.
Do it badly if you have to. Just do it.
Because success isn’t reserved for the people who have it all figured out.
It’s built by the ones who decide:
“I’ll figure it out.”
And then actually do.
Excellent post. Just do it and learn as you go.