Elon Musk and The Most Scarce Commodity

There’s Something To Ruthlessly Prioritizing Your Time

Time is the ultimate asset. It’s the only resource we can’t get back, compound, or manufacture. Yet, we give it away like it’s an unlimited resource. We say yes to meetings that should’ve been emails, reply to messages we shouldn’t even be CC’d on, and attend events that add zero value to our lives. Why? Because we don’t value our time. And if we don’t value it, why the hell should anyone else?

Elon Musk gets this.

You might think of Musk as the billionaire eccentric who tweets too much and sleeps in factories. But at his core, the guy is a masterclass in time valuation. The man runs Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, and The Boring Company — all while still managing to squeeze in a few Twitter fights and a stint at ruining, I mean, running Twitter (now X). Say what you will about his management style, but one thing’s clear: Musk treats time like the scarce commodity it is.

The Art of Ruthless Prioritization

Let’s take a page out of Musk’s playbook. One of his guiding principles is ruthless prioritization. He schedules his days down to five-minute increments — yes, five minutes. Most of us can barely decide what to order for lunch in that time, and he’s out here revolutionizing industries. This level of precision forces a level of intentionality most of us lack. Every minute has a purpose, every task has a weight.

The takeaway? If you don’t guard your time with the tenacity of a bouncer at an exclusive club, people will walk all over it. That colleague who asks, “Got a sec?” will take an hour. The client who insists on just “one more quick call” will drag it into next week. Stop being available at the expense of your priorities.

The “First Principles” Approach to Time

Musk is famous for his “first principles” thinking — breaking things down to their core elements and rebuilding them in a way that makes sense. When it comes to time, first principles thinking means understanding what actually moves the needle and cutting the fluff. Musk doesn’t engage in small talk or entertain unnecessary meetings. If something doesn’t directly contribute to the mission, it’s gone.

Applying this to your own life means stripping away the “nice to have” tasks that clutter your day. That weekly status update meeting where nothing new is said? Nuke it. The endless email chains debating the color of a button? Delegate it. Focus on what actually moves you closer to your goals, and cut the rest.

Setting Boundaries Like a Billionaire

One of the reasons Musk is so effective is his ability to set boundaries — sometimes brutally. When he bought Twitter, he famously walked into the office and told employees to either commit to an “extremely hardcore” work culture or leave. Whether you agree with his approach or not, it sends a clear message: My time is valuable, and I’m not wasting it on passengers.

The same rule applies to everyday life. If you’re constantly available, constantly saying yes, you’re telling the world your time isn’t worth much. And people will treat it accordingly. Want to change that? Start saying no — a lot. Set clear expectations, whether it’s a meeting cutoff or office hours where you’re actually available. Make people work to get your time, and they’ll start valuing it more.

Work Smarter, Not Just Harder

Musk is often criticized for his insane work hours, but let’s be honest — working 120 hours a week isn’t feasible for most people. The key isn’t just working more; it’s working smarter. Musk maximizes his output by delegating effectively, focusing on high-leverage activities, and automating whatever he can.

In your world, that means embracing technology, delegating tasks that don’t require your unique expertise, and optimizing your workflow. Stop manually scheduling meetings; use an assistant or a scheduling tool. Automate repetitive tasks. Prioritize deep work over busy work. Your time should be spent on things that truly require your brainpower.

The Social Cost of Valuing Your Time

Here’s the tricky part: when you start valuing your time, not everyone will like it. Some will call you arrogant, unavailable, or even selfish. Musk gets this criticism constantly. He cancels meetings abruptly, ignores emails, and moves at his own pace. And guess what? His companies keep thriving.

You need to be okay with disappointing a few people. Saying no to a lunch invitation or an impromptu brainstorming session isn’t rudeness; it’s prioritization. The people who respect you will adapt, and the ones who don’t? Well, they were never really on your team.

Conclusion: Take Control or Be Controlled

At the end of the day, your time is either an asset you control or a resource everyone else drains. Musk isn’t a time management guru; he’s just someone who refuses to let his schedule be hijacked by other people’s priorities. You don’t have to launch rockets or revolutionize industries to do the same. You just need to start treating your time as the precious, non-renewable resource it is.

So the next time someone asks if you have a minute, think about what you’re giving away. Because until you value your time, no one else will.

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