ELON MUSK: When I interview somebody, I really just ask them to tell me the story of their career. What are some of the tougher problems that they dealt with, how they dealt with those, how they made decisions at key transition points. And usually that's enough for me to get a very good gut feel about someone. And what I'm really looking for is evidence of exceptional ability that they face really difficult problems, overcome them. And then, of course, you want to make want to make sure that if there was some significant accomplishment, were they really responsible or somebody else more responsible? Usually, the person who's had to struggle with the problem, they really understand it, and they don't forget. You can ask them very detailed questions about it, and they'll know the answer, whereas the person who was not truly responsible for that accomplishment will not know the details. There's no need even to have a college degree at all. If somebody graduated from a great university, that may be an indication that they will be capable of great things. But it's not necessarily the case. If you look at, say, people like Bill Gates, Larry Ellison, Steve Jobs, these guys didn't graduate from college, but if you had a chance to hire them, of course, that would be a good idea.
Steve Jobs' 28-second Speech that YOU should Memorize:
“Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Almost everything--all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure--these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”
YOU'LL BE UNSTOPPABLE IF YOU DO THIS!!!
- only follow your dream, what are you really passionate about and let the others go.
- don't spend time on things you can't change.
- make the tough decisions first and not last.
- don't procrastinate.
The greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing. One who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing. They may avoid suffering & sorrow but they cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love, live. They're slaves. They've forfeited their freedom. Only a person who risks is free.
How would your life be different if you:
- only followed your dream, what you're really passionate about and let the others go?
- didn't spend time on things you can't change?
- didn't procrastinate?
- made the tough decisions first and not last?
Out beyond the front lines of the big business battlefield, in no-man's land where the big dogs run and assassins cut your heart out for a buck, you can count on one trusty warrior to lead your charge, watch your back and whack your enemies dead. YOURSELF.
~ @danspena
The sure-fire formula for failure? Try to please everybody. That's the biggest reason most people never achieve success. They try to keep everybody happy. As a result, they fail and the people they were trying to please don't give a damn.