How to Be Like Elon Musk: 4 Exercises Inspired by His Life & Work

What compels Elon Musk to disrupt entire industries and challenge the status quo? What specific habits and mindsets have shaped his journey to become one of the world’s most influential innovators?

In his book Elon Musk, Segun Thompson reveals the key principles behind the tech mogul’s success, offering insights into Musk’s personality and motivations. His experiences at Tesla, SpaceX, and beyond illustrate his cross-disciplinary thinking that fosters an entrepreneurial spirit.

Read on to learn how to be like Elon Musk through practical exercises and real-world examples inspired by Thompson’s book.

Image credit: Steve Jurvetson on Flickr (License)

How to Be Like Elon Musk

In today’s world of technological innovation and entrepreneurial success, many wonder how to be like Elon Musk—the controversial yet undeniably influential figure who has revolutionized multiple industries. In his book, Thompson dives into the making of Musk’s unique character, from his formative years in apartheid-era South Africa to his current status as a tech titan and free speech advocate. Through examining his complex upbringing, visionary mindset, and the various influences that shaped his journey, we uncover the key elements that have contributed to his extraordinary success.

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, tech enthusiast, or simply curious about the mindset of one of the world’s most talked-about innovators, this exploration offers practical insights and exercises designed to help cultivate similar traits and approaches that have defined Musk’s remarkable life so far.

Elon Musk, Disruptor

Driven and intensely independent from an early age, Elon Musk’s character was profoundly shaped by his complex upbringing in apartheid-era South Africa, as Thompson reveals. Despite his privileged white background, young Musk developed a rebellious streak and a deep discomfort with unjust systems, traits that would later fuel his desire to disrupt established industries. His fierce individualism and determination to forge his own path emerged from this environment of stark contrasts.

Musk’s personality was further molded by his parents’ distinct influences: his mother Maye, a dynamic model and dietitian, embedded in him an relentless work ethic and unyielding persistence. Meanwhile, his engineer father Errol sparked what would become an obsessive fascination with technology and mechanics—early seeds of the techno-visionary mindset that would later define Musk’s ambitious ventures.

Exercise: Think in New Ways

1. Challenge your daily norms by altering one routine each week. Start with something small, such as taking a different route to work or changing your morning routine. This can help you become more adaptable and open to larger changes in your life.
2. Create a ‘Tinker Box’ filled with old electronics, mechanical toys, or household items that you can disassemble and reassemble. This hands-on approach allows you to explore the inner workings of everyday objects, giving you a practical understanding of how things are built and function. It’s a way to engage with technology and mechanics without needing formal education in the field.
3. Apply cross-disciplinary thinking to everyday problems. When faced with a decision or challenge, consciously draw from knowledge in multiple fields to inform your approach. If you’re planning a home renovation, for example, use economic principles to budget effectively and physics to understand the structural implications of your design choices.
4. Implement a ‘test and learn’ approach in your business by conducting small-scale experiments based on economic theories. For instance, if you have a product, you could experiment with different pricing levels to find the optimal price point that maximizes profit without deterring customers. Track and analyze the results to make data-driven decisions that could improve your business performance.
5. Create a “Tech-Physics” discussion group with friends or colleagues to explore how physics principles apply to current technologies. Each member could bring a piece of technology, such as a smartphone, a drone, or a solar panel, and discuss the physics principles that make it work. This social learning environment can make the abstract concepts of physics more tangible and directly connected to the technology you use.
6. Engage with local energy initiatives by volunteering with a community group focused on renewable energy projects. Look for groups that install solar panels for low-income households or that work on community gardens with sustainable practices. This will connect you with the practical applications of energy transformation and its impact on communities.

Elon Musk, Visionary and Achiever

Thompson examines Musk’s impactful ventures into the world of electric vehicles and sustainable energy, primarily through Tesla and SolarCity. These endeavors, driven by Musk’s goals and vision, challenged existing industries and created the path for a future that’s more sustainable.

Exercise: Envision and Act

1. Identify a personal passion project and allocate a small percentage of your savings to fund it. By doing this, you mirror the commitment shown by successful entrepreneurs who invest in their visions. For example, if you’re passionate about sustainable living, you might invest in creating a community garden, which could provide local produce and educate others on sustainability.
2. Create a “skin in the game” jar where you deposit a small amount of personal money each time you set a new goal or start a project. This tangible act of investment can be a motivational tool, reminding you that you have a personal stake in the success of your endeavors. For example, if you’re aiming to write a book, put $10 in the jar every week to symbolize your commitment to the project.
3. Set up a “persistence partner” system with a friend or colleague. Agree to check in with each other weekly to discuss ongoing challenges and the proactive steps you’re taking to address them. This accountability can reinforce your commitment to persistence and provide you with fresh perspectives on tackling problems.
4. Develop a reputation for being a talent magnet by consistently sharing success stories and testimonials from people who have worked with you. Collect short testimonials from colleagues, clients, or anyone who has benefited from collaborating with you and post them on LinkedIn or your personal website. This social proof can intrigue top talent who are looking for successful and reputable collaborators.
5. Create a “vision board” that represents the future you want to build, similar to how a transformative company visualizes its goals. This could include images and quotes that align with the change you wish to see, whether it’s in your career, personal life, or a community project.
6. Start a Mars-themed book club to explore the challenges and possibilities of space colonization. By reading and discussing books on space, science fiction, and the future of humanity, you’ll broaden your understanding of what life on Mars might entail. For example, select a mix of non-fiction books about space exploration and science fiction novels that depict life on other planets to stimulate discussions on the practical and ethical aspects of colonizing Mars.
7. Support the goal of reducing space travel costs by investing in companies that are developing cost-cutting aerospace technologies. By choosing stocks or funds that focus on innovative aerospace companies, you’re financially backing the mission to make space more accessible. For example, look for ETFs that track the aerospace sector or crowdfunding opportunities in new space startups.
8. Engage with local educational programs by donating space-themed educational materials to schools or libraries. Materials such as books, posters, and DIY rocket kits can inspire young minds and educate them about the possibilities of space travel. By contributing to the education of the next generation, you play a part in cultivating an interest in space exploration and its accessibility.
9. Reduce your own ecological footprint to help ensure Earth remains viable while humanity works toward multi-planetary living. Simple actions such as minimizing waste, conserving water, and reducing energy consumption contribute to the health of our planet. This is something everyone can do; it starts with habits such as recycling, using energy-efficient appliances, and supporting sustainable products and practices.
10. You can start a digital journal to reflect on your daily interactions with AI, noting any ethical concerns or benefits you observe. This practice will make you more aware of AI’s role in your life and help you think critically about its implications. For example, if you notice your smart assistant is making shopping suggestions based on your conversations, consider the privacy trade-offs and write about how this makes you feel and what it might mean for society.

Elon Musk, the Libertarian

Thompson notes a discernible shift in Musk’s ideological stance over time, moving away from earlier liberal positions toward a more pronounced libertarian viewpoint. This change entails a greater emphasis on personal freedoms, limited government involvement, and a solid conviction that technological advancement is a driver of progress.

Exercise: Promote Liberty

1. Enhance your adaptability in professional environments by joining cross-functional project teams at work or in community organizations. This will expose you to various perspectives and require you to adapt your expertise to new contexts, mirroring the experience of an industry expert advising on policy matters outside their usual scope of business.
2. Develop a habit of reflective listening during conversations, where you focus on truly understanding the speaker’s message before responding. This can be practiced in any interaction, whether it’s with a coworker or a family member. After they speak, summarize their main points to ensure you’ve understood them correctly, and then offer your thoughts. This approach promotes a two-way street of open expression and can lead to more meaningful and productive exchanges.
3. Consider volunteering with a non-profit organization that works towards policy reform. Look for groups that aim to streamline regulations to foster innovation. Your involvement could range from helping with campaigns, spreading awareness, or even contributing to research on the effects of overregulation. For instance, if there’s a local initiative to revise zoning laws that limit the development of new technologies, you could support by gathering data or canvassing community support.
4. Start a conversation with friends or colleagues about the role of regulations in innovation. Use a recent technological advancement as a starting point, such as drone delivery services, and discuss how regulations might accelerate or stifle its growth. This dialogue can help you understand different viewpoints and crystallize your own stance on the balance between regulation and innovation.
5. Start a neighborhood swap meet to encourage community-driven exchange over reliance on government services. This can be as simple as setting up a Facebook group or a bulletin board in a local coffee shop where neighbors can offer items or skills they have in exchange for things they need. This not only fosters a sense of community but also promotes a self-sufficient, market-driven approach to solving everyday problems.

Elon Musk, the Free Speech Advocate

Thompson posits that Musk’s purchase of Twitter, subsequently rebranded as X, was the culmination of his growing concern about free expression and censorship within online public discourse. By taking control of a leading social media service, Musk has positioned himself at the center of these debates.

Exercise: Protect Freedom and Truth

1. Develop a habit of fact-checking information before sharing it by using online tools and resources. Whenever you come across a significant claim or news story, take a moment to verify it through reputable fact-checking websites or by cross-referencing multiple sources. This practice helps cultivate a more informed online community and reduces the spread of misinformation.
2. Develop a habit of regularly checking the privacy settings on your existing social media accounts. Take control of your digital footprint by customizing who can see your posts, which apps have access to your data, and whether your activity is tracked for advertising purposes. This empowers you to have a more active role in managing your online presence.
3. Volunteer with or donate to organizations that fight for free speech rights. By supporting these groups, you contribute to the larger effort of maintaining free expression as a core societal value. Look for local or international non-profits that work to protect journalists, advocate for free speech in digital spaces, or provide legal support to those whose rights to free expression are threatened.