Framework : 5 step Approach to Problem Solving

Elon’s Ultimate Guide to Problem Solving

Let me start with a confession : This is summarised with Chatgpt 🙂 But lessons are from MFM. …and super relevant 😛 

How to Be a Space Cowboy. ………… 🚀🚀

So, you’ve probably heard of this guy named Elon Musk. You know, the one building rockets that land themselves, cars 🚗🚗 that make vroom-vroom noises but don’t actually vroom-vroom, and sticking chips in brains so people can play video games with their thoughts.

Yeah, that guy : one and only Elon.

Turns out, he has this magical five-step problem-solving method that he uses to do all that crazy stuff.

And guess what?

He learned it the hard way—like,

“Oops, I almost blew up my company because I overdid the automation” kind of hard.

Let’s dive into Elon’s five-step program to rockstar engineering (and life):

1. Question the Requirements:

   • Before you whip out your tools and start building the next great thing, pause and ask, “Do we really need this?”

     It’s like when you’re hungry and think you want a whole pizza, but really, you just need a snack. Elon says don’t waste your time on stuff that doesn’t even matter.

   • Figure out what you truly need and why you need it. Don’t go making a rocket-powered pogo stick if all you need is a ladder.

2. Delete Unnecessary Stuff:

   • Here’s where Elon gets really wild. He says, “Just delete it!” We all know that one person at work who’s always complicating things (looking at you, Karen from accounting).

     Elon’s philosophy?

     If it’s not absolutely necessary, chuck it.

     Like, why are you optimizing that extra part when you could just remove it and save yourself the headache? It’s like getting rid of that fifth wheel friend who always brings drama to the group hangout.

3. Simplify, Simplify, Simplify:

   • Once you’ve Marie Kondo’d your project, make what’s left as simple as possible. No need for all the bells and whistles if you can get the job done with a couple of strings and some duct tape. Elon’s approach to simplifying is a reminder that sometimes, less is more. Like when you stop dressing to impress and just go with jeans and a tee—comfort and function over unnecessary fluff.

4. Automate (But Only If You Really, Really Have To):

   • Only after you’ve pruned and simplified should you think about automation. And for the love of all things shiny and space-age, don’t automate a bad process.

   • Elon learned this lesson when he tried to create a factory run entirely by robots, and it nearly sent Tesla down the toilet.

   • Automation is the last resort, not the first step—kind of like putting your vacation photos on Instagram after you’ve sorted out the ones where your eyes aren’t closed and you’re not holding a cocktail in every shot.

5. Measure and Adjust (AKA, the “Oh Crap, Did I Remove Too Much?” Step):

   • Here’s where you need to make sure you didn’t get too happy with the delete button. Elon’s got this rule of thumb: If you’re not putting back at least 10% of the stuff you removed, you probably went too far. It’s like when you clean out your closet and toss that “vintage” shirt, only to realize it’s back in style and you regret your life choices. Sometimes you gotta add back in the good stuff you axed to keep things balanced.

So there you have it

—Elon Musk’s masterclass in not just engineering but also life hacking.

Whether you’re running a tech empire or just trying to pack light for a weekend trip (looking at you, wife, who packs as if we’re moving to Mars), these steps are golden.

Next time you’re about to tackle a project, just ask yourself,

“What would Elon do?”

and then maybe remove a few things along the way.

After all, if it works for rockets and electric cars, it might just work for your next DIY project or, you know, organizing your sock drawer.

Here is what I want you to do :

1. Listen to last 10 minutes of the pod :

2. Think and note down which part of your Life need Elon to come in?

3. Share what changes have you made.

4. Send me your feedback, subscribe if you find this useful, share if you loved it :)

With lots of love, gaurav

There are is another related post on Simplification.. You will love it ..

And 30 minutes will tkae oyu

Link to the Pod