If there is one thing we can all agree on, it’s that Mondays take just a little more motivation to get going. So, to help you power through another Monday, here is a time line of all of Elon Musk’s failures that never slowed the billionaire down. In fact, these failures were the building blocks for Musk’s current status as one of the most forward thinking and influential people on the planet. So, if you’re having a hard time making that walk back to your desk from the coffee maker, just remember, Musk got turned down for a job at Netscape…
Unsuccessfully applies for a job at Netscape, the now defunct web browser.
Musk was booted from his position as CEO at Zip2, a company he started.
Musk’s PayPal voted as one of the 10 worst new business ideas.
Also in 1999, Musk crashes his McLaren F1, the fastest production car in the world at the time and worth $1 Million
While on his honeymoon, he is booted from another of his own companies, this time PayPal.
2000 was brutally unkind to Musk, as he also contracted cerebral malaria while on vacation.
Musk begins his plans to take over the space travel world, but is shot down when trying to buy rockets from Russia. These guys sell Rockets to people living in sand caves, but shut down Musk.
Russia shuts the enigmatic inventor down AGAIN telling him, “Young boy. No” This would become the impetus for SpaceX.
Rocket Science is apparently pretty difficult.
In ’06, ’07 and ’08 Musk watches his first three attempts to launch a rocket explode during launch.
Also in 2008, due to various reasons, Musk’s two greatest assets, his companies Tesla and SpaceX are on the brink of bankruptcy.
SpaceX rockets explodes while attempting first landing at ocean
Tesla’s Model S cars begin having issues with “spontaneous battery combustion.” This dude has some seriously explosive issues…
Musk watches his fourth rocket explode during launch and his second and third rockets explode while attempting to land on ocean.
The highly publicized and much acclaimed Model X is delayed 18 months causing investors to once again question Musk’s abilities to deliver.
Also in ’16:
5th Rocket launch explosion, this time with Facebook satellites for Africa onboard (valued at $300M)
4th, 5th and 6th “critical failures” while attempting ocean landings.
What has this volatile history earned Musk? He is currently valued at over $14.8 Billion and is world renowned for his inventions and innovations.
There are two important lessons to take away from this timeline.
1) Rockets blow up. A lot.
2) You can always rebuild, restart and renew. Chin up. Nose to the grind stone. Eye of the tiger.
Just. Do. It!
(Source)
