To mitigate choice paralysis and indecisiveness in life’s important matters and business in general, should one adopt the habits of a serial risk-taker like Elon Musk?

A dedicated video game enthusiast since his adolescence, this billionaire entrepreneur is known to invest considerable time in the evenings playing games on his mobile device. Notably, he is reported to be highly engaged with a specific game, Polytopia, to the extent that it has occasionally led him to miss important meetings. He draws parallels between the game and real-life business practices, advocating for a willingness to embrace risk and view temporary failure as a necessary part of the journey. He maintains that while initial setbacks may be disheartening, they eventually pave the way for success, fostering greater courage in pursuing innovative business ventures. In essence, he suggests that managing a business should be approached with the same mindset as playing a video game—remaining resilient and not taking setbacks personally.₁

He critiques his brother Kimbal for what he perceives as the “empathy gene,” which he believes could hinder entrepreneurial success. In contrast, Elon, who has Asperger’s syndrome—a condition that affects the development of empathy and compassion—has gained a reputation for making abrupt personnel decisions, often without visible remorse or regard for the immediate consequences for affected employees.

His unique circumstances and condition may indeed make treating life as a video game a viable approach for him. However, most individuals do not share his specific genetic and situational conditions. Thus, while his strategy of viewing life with minimal regard for potential catastrophic consequences is undoubtedly compelling and thrilling, it may not be practical or advisable for the average person. Such an approach could lead to both spiritual and material setbacks, not only in the short term but also in the long term. His method of success is custom tailored for him, shaped by his distinctive experiences from childhood to the present. While I admire and respect his bold and unconventional approach, it is prudent to recognize the distinct nature of his strategy and, instead of merely copying him, develop an approach suited to one’s own circumstances and calling. For instance, my own path is guided by a greater sense of compassion and empathy, attributes which, according to his perspective, might be seen as weaknesses, but which shape a different, and perhaps more suitable, approach for me.

I believe that each individual has a unique path to fully realizing their potential. While one might adapt aspects of Elon’s strategy based on specific circumstances, it should not be applied as a universal principle. It is important to learn from the experiences of successful and insightful individuals; however, directly imitating their behavior without considering one’s own context may lead to adverse outcomes.

Footnotes:

1. Based on interviews with Elon Musk presented in the book: Elon Musk, by Walter Isaacson