Optimize Every Turn, Like in Polytopia

Musk applies strategic thinking from games like Polytopia to business, treating each decision as a move with limited resources that must be optimized.

Resource allocation. Like in strategy games, Musk carefully allocates limited resources to maximize impact, avoiding waste.

Strategic sequencing. He plans moves in the optimal sequence, understanding that order matters in both games and business.

Compounding advantages. Musk seeks decisions that create compounding advantages over time, similar to early-game strategies in Polytopia.

Musk is known to play Polytopia, a turn-based strategy game, and applies its principles to business decisions. The game teaches resource optimization, strategic planning, and thinking several moves ahead. This reflects his view that we have limited “turns” in life and business — each decision should be optimized for maximum impact.

Apply it. Treat business decisions as game moves with limited resources. Ask “If I only get 100 moves to win, is this the best use of one of those moves?”