How to think like Elon Musk: Genius Of Era
Sustainable energy to making life multi planetary
Breaking the myth, not to stand in multiple boats at a time. By his mid 40s, Elon built entirely multibillion dollars companies in the separate field. All of which serves great purpose along with solving multiple problems. Paypal (Financial Services), Tesla Motors (Automotive) and SpaceX (Aerospace).
The approach Elon Musk take to handle from simplest to world's toughest problems like colonisation beyond earth, Electric vehicles, solar, boring and other innovations is First principle thinking. Which was brought in action since Aristotle.
Not to mention, none of other genius implied this approach to such a great extent as Musk did.
In simple terms, first principles thinking is basically the approach of questioning every assumption you observed, researched, analysed & you ‘know’ about the subject and to come up with virgin idea from scratch.
Almost like a newborn child.
Elon Musk during an interview with Kevin Rose on how this works;
Musk used the cost of batteries as an example. Battery packs are really expensive and that’s just the way they will always be… “People would say, ‘Historically it’s cost $600 per kilowatt-hour, and so it’s not going to be much better than that in the future.’ And you say, ‘No, what are the batteries made of?’
First principles means you say, ‘Okay, what are the material constituents of the batteries?’
You just need to find the real value of all the materials and. to come up with better solution about how to assemble them into the shape of a battery cell and you can have batteries that are much, much cheaper than anyone realizes.”
Although it “takes a lot more mental energy,” Musk said this method of thinking has helped him revolutionize the energy industry.
“Somebody could say, in fact people do, that battery packs are really expensive and that’s just the way they’ll always be, because that’s the way they’ve been in the past,” Musk said. “Well, no, that’s pretty dumb, because if you applied that reasoning to anything new, then you would never be able to get to that new thing.”
Ask right questions
Once you figured your problem. Start asking every possible questions. Curiosity of knowing leads to the best way.
“The important thing is to not stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” Einstein
It's important to ask right question only then you can reach your seeking.
Observation and information
Data is crucial to analyse all the aspect of practicality and foundation to discovery.
Find data from experts, research, observation and all the possible source you may touch.
Start from scratch
Now using the data you have and problems you have. Think of the solutions from ground level. Either think extraordinary or fool otherwise you may end up doing mess.
Otherwise, you always came to same conclusion if you don't think rationale.
Make the best of yourself
Every man has genius in him only if he/ she understands his own potential. Simply working continuously on something you believe along with more capable people than.
Source: Ankit Kumar & team
