Elon Musk's #1 Tactic to Never be Afraid of Failure
Most of us are scared of failure. It's nothing new, and it's nothing to be ashamed of either. No one wants to fail at what they do, especially if it's something they're very invested in.
Elon Musk has a very simple way of not letting the prospect of failure get in his way. He doesn't avoid failure or hope that it doesn't happen, instead, he anticipates that it will.
How is this helpful? Well, it's a bit like preparing for the worst-case scenario before venturing out into the jungle. Some people wouldn't dare go in due to the fear of getting lost.
But if you already anticipate getting lost, then you'll likely bring along extra supplies and have a way of notifying someone of your location. Now you're more confident about going into the jungle, because you have a plan if the worst-case scenario does happen.
The same rules apply to everything else in life. Accepting failure can happen and creating a plan for it is like installing your own safety net. You'll be much less scared to jump into something new if you know there's a safety net, right?
A quick lesson from SpaceX
Do you remember the story of Elon Musk's first failures with SpaceX?
When he first started the company in 2002, he had the vision that it would enable humans to become a spacefaring civilization. The rockets would be affordable to build and they would ultimately transport humans to create a self-sustaining city on Mars.
This isn't the kind of pitch that would strike complete confidence into the hearts of many investors, but Elon Musk fully believed in it and he had a contingency plan if it all came crashing down (literally).
In an interview with Esquire, he declared: If we don’t get the first SpaceX rocket launch to succeed by the time we’ve spent $100 million, we will stop the company.
His prediction of failure very nearly came true. The first launch cost $30 million, and failed. The second cost $60 million, and also failed. The third and final launch was successful and won a billion-dollar contract from NASA.
Was Elon Musk afraid of failure? Probably. Did it get in the way of his goals? Definitely not.
How to always anticipate failure
Getting comfortable with the idea of failing isn't easy. But there are steps you can take to create a well-thought contingency plan in case failure happens.
- Take a pen and paper right now and write down a project you've always been meaning to start but haven't due to the fear of not being successful.
2. Now, write down the absolute worst-case scenario for that project. It could be losing money, wasting time, public embarrassment, etc.
3. Next, break down the causes of this worst-case scenario. Then cross out the ones that are out of your control.
4. Finally, write a contingency plan for each cause you can control. If you're worried that no one will want to buy your designer socks, your plan could be to re-use those designs on other products like t-shirts or even notebooks.
The important thing here is to always expect failure and be ready for it. Only then will it stop being the reason you don't move forward with your goals.
Failure is an option here. If things are not failing, you are not innovating enough.-- Elon Musk
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.