Elon Musk—CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, and X (formerly Twitter)—is the closest thing to a real-life Tony Stark. Juggling multiple billion-dollar companies, Mars colonization plans, and viral Twitter spats, Musk’s daily routine is a high-octane blend of ruthless prioritization, hyper-focus, and unconventional habits. At OpenRoutine, we decode the rituals of visionary leaders. Here’s how Musk structures his day to bend time (and reality) to his will—and what mere mortals can learn from it.
The 7 AM Launch: Start Fast, Think Faster
Musk wakes around 7 AM, but don’t mistake it for laziness—his days often stretch past 18 hours:
- No snooze, no distractions: Checks urgent emails within minutes of waking (he once tweeted, “I work 120-hour weeks, no kidding”).
- Shower epiphanies: Uses showers for problem-solving, calling them his “idea incubator.”
- Caffeine minimalist: Skips coffee. Instead, sips Diet Coke or red wine for “strategic dopamine.”
Why it works: Musk’s mornings prioritize immediate action. For him, time is a non-renewable resource—waste a minute, and Mars colonization gets delayed.
Time-Blocking Like a Billionaire: The 5-Minute Rule
Musk’s calendar is split into 5-minute increments—a tactic he stole from NASA:
- Batched tasks: Groups similar work (e.g., engineering reviews, factory walkthroughs) to minimize context-switching.
- Avoids meetings like spam: Calls most meetings “time vampires.” If he attends, he’s known to code or tweet during them.
- Email triage: Replies to critical messages instantly (often at 3 AM). Uses “CC = action required” to filter noise.
Key takeaway: Treat time like a SpaceX rocket—every second must be accounted for and optimized.
Work Mode: Relentless Deep Focus
Musk’s workday revolves around solving “existential threats” (e.g., rocket engines, AI ethics):
- Factory floor obsession: Spends 80% of his time at Tesla or SpaceX factories, tweaking production lines himself.
- “Zero drafts” philosophy: Demands first prototypes FAST, even if flawed. “Perfect is the enemy of ‘good enough for Mars.’”
- Sleeps at the office: Kept a sleeping bag at Tesla’s Fremont factory during Model 3 production hell.
Steal this: Musk’s “hands-on” leadership proves: If you won’t grind, you won’t scale.
Fueling the Machine: Diet, Fitness, and Quirks
Musk’s health habits are… unorthodox:
- Intermittent fasting: Eats one meal a day (often BBQ or sushi) to save time.
- Exercise? “I prefer work”: Rarely hits the gym but walks factory floors for miles.
- Ambien debates: Famously tweeted about using sleep aids (then backtracked).
Pro tip: Musk’s “work is workout” approach isn’t for everyone, but his focus on mental stamina over gym aesthetics is a masterclass in prioritizing goals.
Evening Routine: Multitasking on Mars Time
- Dad duty: Dinners with his 10 kids (when not sleeping at the office).
- Twitter tornado: Scrolls (and posts) late into the night, calling it “market research.”
- Midnight email bursts: Sends “URGENT” task lists to teams at 1 AM.
Why it matters: Musk’s blurred work-life boundaries are controversial, but his obsession with mission alignment is undeniable.
Musk’s Non-Negotiables
- First principles thinking: “Boil problems down to physics, then rebuild.”
- Extreme ownership: “If you don’t make it, your company dies. Get used to pressure.”
- Embrace insanity: “When something is important enough, you do it even if the odds are against you.”
Final Thought
Elon Musk’s routine isn’t about balance—it’s about unapologetic obsession. While his 120-hour weeks aren’t sustainable (or advisable), his strategies for ruthless prioritization, deep work, and relentless iteration offer lessons for anyone chasing moonshots. Just remember: Even rockets need refueling.