Most of our thinking is based on analogy reasoning—we do things a certain way because “that’s how it’s always been done”. While efficient, this is prone to error because it relies on untested assumptions. To innovate like Elon Musk, you must get back to first principles.
First principles thinking involves stripping a problem down to its basic, indisputable components. Musk used this when founding SpaceX. While others said rockets were too expensive (up to $65 million), Musk broke down the rocket into its raw material costs. He realized he could build them himself for a fraction of the price, eventually cutting launch costs by nearly 90%.
To apply this, follow three steps:
- Identify current assumptions (e.g., “I don’t have time to exercise”).
- Break it down to first principles (Weight loss depends on diet; I have 20-minute gaps in my day).
- Create new solutions from scratch (Combine healthier eating with short, high-intensity workouts). By “obliterating” the tendency to follow the crowd, you free yourself to find more efficient, original solutions