Most people can learn a lot more than they think they can. They sell themselves short without trying.

As a child I would just question things.

You want to be extra rigorous about making the best possible thing you can. Find everything that's wrong with it and fix it.

We have a strict 'no a-hole policy' at SpaceX. And we fire people they are. I mean, we give them a little bit of warning. But if they continue to be an a-hole, then they're fired.

I've actually not read any books on time management.

Fear is a hard thing to deal with. I feel it quite strongly. If I think something is important enough, I'll make myself do it in spite of fear. But it can really sap the will. I hate fear, I wish I had it less.

Funded by the government just means funded by the people. Government, by the way, has no money. It only takes money from the people. Sometimes people forget that that's really what occurs.