Just read the NYT interview with @elonmusk. It's good. Read it.
Few thoughts (brief thread)...
nytimes.com/2018/08/16/bus…
Few thoughts (brief thread)...
nytimes.com/2018/08/16/bus…
No one knows what it's like to be Elon Musk except Elon Musk.
The guy meets most definitions for genius and has absolutely contributed to the evolution of the universe.
With that said, there is a pattern of temperament behind someone with the kind of drive Elon demonstrates...
The guy meets most definitions for genius and has absolutely contributed to the evolution of the universe.
With that said, there is a pattern of temperament behind someone with the kind of drive Elon demonstrates...
It's a temperament that refuses to be content. In reductionist terms, it is someone who is insensitive to dopamine (desire neurochemical) and therefore needs TONS of it to feel good.
This temperament often underlies *greatness* in intellect, the arts, athletics, and creativity.
This temperament often underlies *greatness* in intellect, the arts, athletics, and creativity.
Unfortunately, it also predisposes folks to anxiety, OCD, and depression. Constantly living to breakthrough, being excited about the next thing feels GREAT in the short-run but takes a big toll in the long-run. I know from personal experience—both in myself and so many clients.
It's a gift and a curse. It's drive that can change the world but can wreck an individual.
This kind of drive needs channeling. You need to control it so it doesn't control you. Doing this is VERY hard. You are fighting your own brain and re-training it, full-stop.
This kind of drive needs channeling. You need to control it so it doesn't control you. Doing this is VERY hard. You are fighting your own brain and re-training it, full-stop.
It's also hard because in the short-run the result is absolutely LESS productivity and to an extent feeling like shit. But in the long-run learning how to rest and be content for periods of time = freedom...and BETTER performance.
I see this as very similar to addiction recovery. Here the addiction is more-more-more, ideas, ideas, ideas, progress, progress, progress. It's a helluva high. And since it's pointed toward things society celebrates, it's rewarded!! But that doesn't mean it's sustainable.
I feel for Elon (and anyone with whom this resonates) and wish him well. I hope he (and anyone with this "pusher" temperament) surrounds himself with wise people and considers coaching and therapy. And realizes finding contentment is an ongoing practice with ups and downs.
There is a middle way, a rhythm, between pushing and resting, wanting more and being OK with what you have. It's just damn hard to find that groove and settle into it.
