I always have optimism, but I'm realistic. It was not with the expectation of great success that I started Tesla or SpaceX... It's just that I thought they were important enough to do anyway.
I think we have a duty to maintain the light of consciousness to make sure it continues into the future.
The probability of success is difficult to estimate; but if we never search, the chance of success is zero.
The most important thing for an entrepreneur is to be able to take risks, and to know how to manage them.
If you’re co-founder or CEO, you have to do all kinds of tasks you might not want to do… If you don’t do your chores, the company won’t succeed.
People work better when they know what the goal is and why. It is important that people look forward to coming to work in the morning and enjoy working.
I think the best way to attract venture capital is to try and come up with a demonstration of whatever product or service it is and ideally take that as far as you can.
I think life on Earth must be about more than just solving problems. It’s got to be something inspiring, even if it is vicarious.
It's important to have a long-term vision of the future that is so appealing that it will make you want to get up in the morning.
If I had to summarize in one sentence what I do at Tesla and SpaceX, it's 'make life multiplanetary.'
I think it is possible for ordinary people to achieve extraordinary things, but it takes hard work and perseverance.