17 Favorite Principles From “The Book of Elon” by Eric Jorgenson

“The Book of Elon” is a compilation of the best ideas of Mr. Musk. Find my favorite ones below:

1. It’s possible for ordinary people to choose to be extraordinary.
2. You can teach yourself anything. Read widely; talk to experts.
3. Take actions that increase the odds of the future being good.
4. Don’t wait for the world to want it. If it should obviously exist, go build it.
5. As you move forward, allies will assemble around you.
6. The best part is no part; the best process is no process.
7. Overdelete and add back the absolutely necessary.
8. Test the absurd. When something seems impossible, ask: “What would it take?”
9. Always be smashing your ego. Ensure ability > ego.
10. Ask, “Is this effort resulting in a better product or service?” If not, stop.
11. Good taste is learnable. Train yourself to notice what makes something beautiful.
12. Use simple, clear, humble terms.
13. All bad news should be given loudly and often. Good news can be said quietly and once.
14. Failure is essentially irrelevant unless it is catastrophic.
15. Fear of failure is the biggest cause of failure.
16. Feel the fear and do it anyway.
17. Make sure you really care about what you’re doing—and take the pain.