Elon Musk Reveals 6 Habits You Must Ditch to Succeed in Life (You're Probably Doing #6 Right Now)
When Elon Musk speaks, the world listens. The billionaire innovator behind Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink has redefined the boundaries of technology—and in doing so, success itself. While many marvel at his achievements, Musk attributes his progress not only to what he does, but crucially, to what he avoids.
'Elon Musk.'
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Through decades of interviews, tweets, and public speeches, Musk has consistently emphasized the importance of eliminating self-defeating behaviors. According to him, dropping just a few common habits can accelerate personal and professional growth. Below are six such habits Musk says to abandon immediately if you’re aiming for meaningful success.
1. Obsessing Over Criticism
Musk urges people to welcome constructive feedback while detaching from the fear of disapproval. “A well thought out critique of whatever you’re doing is as valuable as gold,” he tweeted. But he’s quick to draw a line between helpful insights and paralyzing concern over public opinion. True progress, he insists, stems from acting on feedback—not hiding from judgment.
2. Delaying Decisions
One of Musk’s hallmarks is his ability to make fast, decisive moves. Procrastination, he argues, kills momentum and innovation. “If something is important enough, even if the odds are against you, you should still do it,” he once said. Experts agree: quick, informed decision-making is a proven trait among high performers.
3. Clinging to Past Failures
Failure is inevitable—but dwelling on it is a choice. Musk, no stranger to setbacks, from failed rocket launches to early production chaos at Tesla, treats every failure as a stepping stone. “Failure is an option here,” he once said about SpaceX. “If things are not failing, you are not innovating enough.”
4. Multitasking
Though he oversees multiple companies, Musk believes in deep focus. Excessive multitasking, he warns, fragments attention and reduces productivity. Neuroscientific studies support his stance, showing that multitasking hampers brain efficiency and work quality.
5. Avoiding Discomfort
From public skepticism to engineering impossibilities, Musk has faced countless discomforts. Yet he embraces them. Growth, he says, lies on the other side of fear and difficulty. His journey is a testament to the fact that high achievement demands confronting challenges head-on.
6. Wasting Time Online
Despite being active on X (formerly Twitter), Musk cautions against overconsumption of digital media. He advocates intentional usage—tools over toys. Studies have found that screen fatigue and mindless scrolling are among the top modern productivity killers.
Elon Musk’s success isn’t solely a result of extraordinary talent or luck. It’s also about strategic self-discipline. Letting go of unproductive habits, he suggests, is just as vital as developing winning routines. For anyone seeking a breakthrough in life or career, taking stock of these six habits—and leaving them behind—might just be the first real step forward.
