“Physics is the law, everything else is a recommendation.” – Elon Musk
It’s Labor Day weekend, 2001.
Elon is driving to Manhattan with an old college friend, who asks him what he plans to do after he sells PayPal.
“I’ve always wanted to do something in space,” Elon replies.
“But I don’t think there’s anything an individual can do.”
His logic is straightforward:
Rockets are too expensive, NASA has nearly-infinite funding, there’s just no way a single individual can afford to start a rocket company…
…Right?
That’s when Elon stopped making assumptions, and began to think.
Step 1: Deconstruct the problem.
What are rockets made of?
Metal and fuel.
Okay, not too expensive.
What else?
Engineers, warehouse, staff…
Okay, add it up.
Elon’s got $175 million in the bank, enough for a year or two of runway, at least.
In his words:
“By the time we reached the Midtown tunnel, we decided it was possible.”
Step 2: Reconstruct a solution.
How can we streamline our costs to make SpaceX viable?
Well, most rockets can only be used once — after they take off, they’re trashed.
Okay, let’s build re-usable rockets.
But contractors famously overcharge for rocket components, the prices are insane.
Okay, let’s manufacture our own components, in house.
Still, it takes ages to test a rocket…
How are we going to afford rent and payroll for 10 years while we’re just figuring out how to make it safe?
We’re privately-funded, so we can move much faster than NASA.
Test quickly, fail quickly, iterate quickly — what takes public rocket companies ten years, we’ll do in one.
And so, SpaceX was born.
This is how real thinking is done:
Not by making assumptions based on information we’ve heard from others…
…But by:
1. Deconstructing the problem, question, or situation.
ie. Breaking it down into it’s component parts, and looking at those parts through clear, unbiased eyes.
2. Reconstructing a solution, answer, or fresh perspective.
ie. Rebuilding those parts into something new, better, and more original.
Or, said another way:
By looking at reality as it is, and transforming it into something greater.
Instead of following recipes, the master chef recombines ingredients to create dishes never seen before.
Instead of copying competitors, the master entrepreneur reimagines entire marketplaces.
Instead of referencing the thoughts of others, assuming them to be true, and claiming those thoughts as his own…
…The master thinker deconstructs those thoughts and reconstructs new ideas, new paradigms, new realities.
Of course, nobody taught us how to do this…
(they were too busy forcing us to memorize the steps of photosynthesis; seriously, what is school even for?)
…But make no mistake:
The skill of clear, original, precise thinking — thinking that can:
- Pierce through problems and transform uncertainty into radical insight
- Unlock access to the deeper dimensions of your intelligence
- Transform the tangled patterns of your mind into streamlined thinking systems
- Guide the critical decisions of your life with fearless accuracy
- Open expansive new possibilities in your work, your business, your relationships, and the architecture of your life
…That is a skill that can be learned, trained, and ultimately, mastered.
Tomorrow, I’ll share how.
T
P.S. Can you do me a quick favor?
Our email system was hit with a bot attack this week, which signed up a bunch of random emails and tanked our open rates.
(In 14 years of online business, I’ve never seen anything like it — super weird stuff)
I’m still sorting it out over here, but can you shoot me a quick reply with the words “got it” to let me know you received this email?
It’s a big help, so thank you.
And, if you missed any earlier parts of this series, here’s where you can catch up now:
How To Think (Part 1)
How To Think (Part 2)
Enjoy 🙂
