Elon Musk’s “It Shall Be Mine” Philosophy

Elon Musk: Relentless Ambition in Action

Elon Musk is not the kind of man who takes “no” for an answer. Whether it’s turning a 98% into a perfect 100 on a college exam or aiming to colonize Mars before brunch, Musk embodies a level of determination that borders on obsession. His ex-wife Justine Musk put it best when she said, “He locks his gaze on something and says, ‘It shall be mine.’” That philosophy has carried him from the lecture halls of Queen’s University to the assembly lines of Tesla—and into the history books as a billionaire visionary who never sleeps, never stops, and definitely never hits “ignore” on a voicemail.

“Elon wants to colonize Mars, revolutionize transportation, and apparently, your voicemail. The man doesn’t stop. Even my phone is tired.” — James Corden

The Psychology of Perfectionism

Even in college, Musk’s drive for perfection was unmistakable. When a professor dared to dock him two points on an abnormal psychology exam, Musk didn’t sulk or move on. Instead, he marched back to the professor and argued his way to a perfect score.

His then-classmate and future wife, Justine, said the moment epitomized their dynamic. “It felt like we were always competing,” she remarked. If this was Musk in his formative years, it’s no wonder he’s since built rockets, electric cars, and maybe a few egos along the way. It’s as though the idea of “good enough” never entered his vocabulary.

“Elon Musk is like a college kid who won’t stop arguing with the professor. Except instead of extra credit, he walks away with rockets and billions.” — Jimmy Fallon

The Relentless Phone Calls

Musk’s determination isn’t limited to grades or innovation. According to Justine, his persistence extended to personal interactions—especially phone calls. “You always knew it was Elon because the phone would never stop ringing,” she shared in Ashlee Vance’s biography of Musk. For most people, a couple of missed calls would suffice. For Musk, however, the goal wasn’t just contact—it was persistence itself.

One can only imagine what those conversations entailed. Did he hammer out business strategies between rings? Debate the feasibility of electric planes? Or was he just confirming dinner plans with the same tenacity he uses to negotiate multi-billion-dollar deals?

Turning Competition Into a Lifestyle

In their marriage, Justine often felt like she was playing a high-stakes chess match against a partner who’d already invented a new piece just to win. While most couples argue over chores, Musk brought competition into every corner of their relationship. Even in trivial matters, the need to excel—no, dominate—was a constant.

If Musk could outwork, outthink, or outlast someone, he did. The phrase “team player” might exist in his dictionary, but only if the team is entirely his. It’s a mindset that has shaped his career, his relationships, and perhaps even his parenting philosophy with their five children.

“Musk once negotiated an extra two points on an exam in college. Imagine being so ambitious that even your grades have performance reviews.” — Stephen Colbert

Board Games as Battlegrounds

Musk’s competitive streak extended to his downtime, too. When he wasn’t building empires in real life, he was practicing on strategy games like Civilization. His college roommate, Navaid Farooq, recalled Musk losing himself in the game for hours, studying every possible move until mastery was inevitable.

Farooq wasn’t surprised when Musk went on to build real-life empires. “He treated every game like a warm-up for the real world,” Farooq said. Playing Monopoly with Musk must feel like competing with someone who not only owns Boardwalk but has already developed a luxury space resort on it.

The Grind Never Stops

While most CEOs talk about “work-life balance,” Musk seemingly replaced that concept with “work-life obliteration.” During Tesla’s Model 3 production ramp-up, he famously worked 120-hour weeks, sleeping for a few hours at a time and then diving back into the chaos.

This wasn’t just a passing phase. Musk admitted in interviews that his grueling schedule was the only way to meet Tesla’s deadlines. “Some weeks, I’d just work, sleep for a few hours, and repeat—seven days straight,” he said. Most people would collapse under such conditions, but Musk thrives.

“Elon doesn’t sleep because he’s busy solving world hunger, building Mars colonies, and figuring out how to make your Tesla drive itself to Taco Bell.” — Seth Meyers

Negotiating with the United Nations

In 2021, when the United Nations suggested Musk donate $6 billion to solve world hunger, he didn’t immediately write a check. Instead, he demanded a detailed plan. “If you can show me how this works, I’ll sell Tesla stock right now and do it,” Musk tweeted.

While critics called it a publicity stunt, Musk’s insistence on transparency was classic Elon. Why accept something at face value when you can audit, dissect, and ultimately negotiate it?

Building Empires, One Ambitious Step at a Time

From Tesla to SpaceX, Musk’s career reads like a greatest hits album of innovation. But his approach to success isn’t about playing it safe or taking half-measures. His mantra, “It shall be mine,” has turned him into one of the most polarizing figures in business.

Love him or hate him, Musk’s relentless ambition has reshaped industries, disrupted markets, and inspired millions. And if his ex-wife’s description is anything to go by, he’s not done yet. Whether it’s revolutionizing transportation or colonizing Mars, Elon Musk won’t stop until the universe itself bows to his will.

“Musk’s ex-wife says he’s like The Terminator. But instead of saying ‘I’ll be back,’ he says, ‘I’ll buy that.’” — Trevor Noah