Page 3 - INSIDE ACCESS JULY 21 3RD EDITION

FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Why is
Elon Musk so
Successful?
It All Comes Down to These Key Personality Traits
Work ethic that feeds on passion
Another factor that helps Musk get into and remain in the flow state has to do with the quality of work he’s doing. Musk is a perfect case study for someone whose work ethic is fuelled by his passion. He loves what he’s doing, because he does what he loves. His passion for his work is so intense that it fuels late-night shifts, motivates 80-hour work weeks and, like we mentioned earlier, sleeping under his desk.
The truth is, if we are passionate — or find passion — in the work we’re doing, work stops feeling like work. It turns into a mission or game, and we find ourselves enjoying what we’re doing. Eighty-hour work weeks don’t feel like work weeks, because our passion is fuelling us.
Thinking big by thinking small
Many of Musk’s grand ideas come from small questions. How do we make California transit more convenient? A railroad. An electric railroad. An electric railroad that goes through an enormous tunnel, dug into the side of a mountain. The initial question is always small, then the answers grow progressively bigger. He then takes each answer to the question and attempts to flesh it out in the best possible way. So don’t disregard that small idea. Give the obvious answers, then put your spin on those answers and pursue them with tenacity. Big ideas always come from small thinking.
Healthy, unflinching intensity
each of the four traits we’ve described above are only cultivated by those who have a certain amount of intensity. However, Musk does it in a healthy, constructive way.
So many try to bring a certain amount of intensity to their work and burnout, break down or go too far. They push people out, spiral out of control or end up underperforming dramatically. Musk has demonstrated the ability to healthfully maintain his intensity through his flow state mind set, his passion for his work and his absolute focus.
Contributed by Oye Jolaoso
Musk is obviously intense. In fact, PAGE 3 INSIDE ACCESS | JULY 2021 3RD EDITION