27A – Reading Reflection No. 3

Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future

  1. What surprised you the most?
When SpaceX finally successfully launched their rocket into orbit, it was six year of hard work paid off. Elon predicted it would only take two years. Something I always do is think that an activity is going to take a certain amount of time, but in fact it takes way longer. In hindsight, it totally makes sense that this phenomenon can happen to anyone, but I can’t help but still be surprised that Elon was so off on his prediction.

  1. What about the entrepreneur did you most admire?
I admire his grit. He was juggling two companies- Tesla and SpaceX- and despite being threatened by bankruptcy and potential ousting from Tesla, he continued to stay focused and working. Supposedly, when pressure sets in Elon is able to make hyper rational decision, he is able to stay focused and engaged. Because of this is was able to evade bankruptcy and thrive.

  1. What about the entrepreneur did you least admire?
I least admired how he treated his first wife. One night he gave his wife an ultimatum to divorce or fix their marriage and stay together at that moment. His wife asked for another week to work through the kinks. The conversation ended and the next day she finds out that he cut off her credit cards and filed the divorce papers.

  1. Did the entrepreneur encounter adversity and failure? If so, what did they do about it?
In 2008, his companies were going into bankruptcy, he was still dealing with bad publicity from news reporters and his ex-wife, and was agonized by financial woes. Throughout that time, he feverishly asked for loans from anyone who would give it to him, flubbed to the banks to expedite loan agreements, and put on a strong face to the world about the bleak circumstances. His ability to endure pain and focus under pressure allowed him to persevere through this dip.

  1.  What competencies did you notice that the entrepreneur exhibited? 
He turned the unattractive, outdate feel of space exploration and revitalize it into company that attracted a renegade-like army of young, ambitious engineers who want to change the world. He inspired fervor in his workers. For those who could endure the brutal conditions working at SpaceX, they worked for him with intense loyalty because he have them a great sense of purpose and a daring goal to do what was never done before.

  1. Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you.
I found it confusing the financial behind how he was able to avoid bankruptcy, but that is just because lack of education in that area.

  1. If you were able to ask two questions to the entrepreneur, what would you ask? Why?
    1. You rejected your peer’s suggestion to lay low and wait for the next big thing. You instead put $100 million into SpaceX, $70 million into Tesla, and $10 million into SolarCity. What do you keep yourself from doubting your own decisions?
    2. How do you keep yourself healthy and build the endurance to sustain such a vigorous schedule?

  1. For fun: what do you think the entrepreneur's opinion was of hard work? Do you share that opinion?
He believes it’s a way to fill his time and give him purpose. When time got hard, you would frequently find him working and doing work. He has an unrelenting daily schedule which is did with a zeal that most wouldn’t have. This so me attribute to his rough childhood conditions, allowed him to make hard work enjoyable and a nonissue.



Comments

  1. UnknownDecember 2, 2017 at 3:12 PM

    Emily,
    Elon Musk sounds like a very interesting guy and I really did not and still do not know much about him. I didn't realize he worked so hard to avoid bankruptcy and that he was investing so much into each company even though he was advised not to. Much like you I wonder how he decided to take that huge risk, as I feel it could've ended up pretty bad for him. I think it is great that hard work gave him a sense of purpose and almost acted as an escape for him when times got hard. After reading your post, I plan to read this book to get a better grasp of Elon Musk!!

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  2. The Tavern TimesDecember 3, 2017 at 7:02 PM

    Hi Emily, Elon Musk is certainly an interesting character. I find it amazing that he found it possible to juggle two successful companies, let alone one and find it very peculiar. I knew he was involved with Tesla but I had no idea he was one of the leaders of SpaceX. It is very interesting to see some of the most successful business men and women in this world have such difficulty in their personal lives. I guess it is a tradeoff.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lory CastilloDecember 4, 2017 at 3:18 PM

    Emily, I can definitely tell you were well engaged with the book. I like your responses to the questions, especially how you most admired Elon persevering through his bankruptcy's with a brave face, unafraid to show the world his weakness. I find it fascinating how socially inept most of the world's most successful people are, it's just a testament to the power of failure and growth.

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