Early Promotions of ‘Me Too Elon Musk’
Few have succeeded in the same manner as Elon Musk. From his ingenuity of merging electrical engineering and business to his ambitious and unparalleled vision for his endeavors, Elon Musk stands as a power and inspiration to many. On such a remarkable track record, it was no surprise that in 2011, a group of people from San Francisco, USA, started a campaign to promote the idea of becoming the ‘Elon Musk of their own world’. The campaign was aptly titled ‘Me Too Elon Musk’. It soon spread beyond the US, with eager supporters springing up in multiple countries, like the UK and Europe.
The central belief of the movement was in encouraging people to take risks and not be afraid of failure, important values embodied by Elon Musk himself ever since his early days in the business. Despite the comprehensive success he has achieved, still, he continues to undertake risks and be open to failing; something people too often forget as they get envious of his successes.
By popularising the term ‘me too’, the campaign underlined the importance of learning from this and, most importantly, adapting it into a personalised plan for success. The impetus of the movement came from identifying the amount of people that found Elon Musk a source of inspiration, with the bumper sticker that symbolised the campaign reading the following: ‘I want to be the Elon Musk of My Own World.’ A song was even produced with the same subject matter, further adding to the overall sense of positivity and enthusiasm of the venture.
The success of the movement as a motivation tool, however, was not without criticism. Many highlighted the potential of encouraging people beyond just being Elon Musk, pointing out that there were many entrepreneurs that were successful and could also provide the same sort of inspiration, such as the late Steve Jobs and Richard Branson. Nevertheless, the net result was positive: it drew attention to the role of taking risks, improvising and personalising your path to success.
The Digitalization of ‘Me Too Elon Musk’
Since the inception of ‘Me Too Elon Musk’, the movement has been subject to various changes. A good example of this is its widespread popularization, especially due to the ever-growing dominance of the online space in recent times. Thanks to online credibility, technological advancement and social media outreach, people have become increasingly aware of the possibility of replicating the behaviour of entrepreneurs in their own lives. In addition, the mass media has further paved the way for the inspired audience to receive direct messages, guidance and values of achieving entrepreneurial goals.
One of the main modern promoters of ‘Me Too Elon Musk’ is none other than the Tesla and Space X CEO himself. Across several of his speeches and webcasts, Musk has continually stressed the importance of promoting the idea of aspiring to be one’s own version of success. This included topics such as taking risks and also adding one’s own innovations and inventions to their me too stories. From podcasts to entire websites dedicated to entrepreneurs, Elon Musk’s online presence is undeniably immense; but it is his underlining message that the movement should carry out the intrinsic spirit of the original idea, rather than just being a diluted wave of me too copies of his modifications, that has truly kept its impact strong.
The Growing Impact of ‘Me Too Elon Musk’
What started out as a small campaign circa 2011, has now grown into a major force that has opened the eyes of countless entrepreneurs, especially the youth. Consider the number of people that are now using me too as an element of professional success. Instagram and YouTube stars, such as the Plati brothers, use their entrepreneurial methods to reach over a million subscribers, often drawing upon the idea of becoming their own me too.
Books such as The Soylent Musk Platform and Create Your Own Starship, alongside courses such as Being Elon Musk, are prime examples of this phenomenon. What’s more, is that many businesses are using me too as a bridge between themselves and the audience. This includes podcasts such as ‘The Me Too Podcast’ and the ‘Me Too Movement App’, which have helped thousands of businesses reach out to those inspired by Elon Musk this decades.
Anyone with ambition and determination is now equipped with more access to the tools of progress and success that s/he needs. It is through the idea that each person can be their own Elon Musk and create their own world, that has resulted in both prominent individuals such as the Plati brothers and entities such as online courses, from experiencing significant growth.
The Challenges of ‘Me Too Elon Musk’
Of course, despite all the successes of the me too movement, it still is subject to certain criticisms. Many of them claim that it pulls people in the wrong direction, encouraging them to focus on a single individual instead of aspiring to greatness and beyond. Others consider it to be a hindrance to true creativity and sui generis in the modern age, as its followers often seem to be blindly inspired by the ‘original’ without any discernment or filtering.
Furthermore, there are many external roadblocks facing me too enthusiasts. Funding is often the largest of these, as many may frankly not have the resources to personally replicate some of the more demanding ventures of Elon Musk. Others, meanwhile, may lack the technical expertise necessary for some of the more innovative tasks related to Elon Musk’s projects.
In the end, it is important to remember that the original me too movement was initiated as a way to encourage people, to instil values such as risk-taking and innovation, rather than sheer replication. Indeed, ambition and success come in myriad forms, and just because someone appears to be a superstar doesn’t mean they’d be a good template to emulate. It is only from such a perspective, that an individual can individualize his/her approach to success.
The Growth of ‘Me Too Elon Musk’ Mentors
As a response to the both the admiration for Elon Musk and the numerous challenges facing the me too movement, so-called ‘me too’ mentors have emerged in recent years. Coming from all walks of life, these mentors have the primary goal of aiding the me too-ers in individualizing their journeys to success. Whether it be related to web design or marketing strategies, these mentors provide support in several aspects essential to taking the me too journey.
It is also interesting to note that many of these mentors are also self-taught experts, or actual real life success stories, such as investors and entrepreneurs. As a result, they bring a deep insight into the difficulties and practical work that comes with starting a business, better orienting those looking to reach entrepreneurship and professionalism. In effect, they help complete the missing gap between inspiration and actual knowledge of the technology and thought processes involved in running a business.
Leading the way for a new breed of entrepreneurial minds, many mentors now also provide materials and even access to various business models and platforms, as both a way to expand their existing businesses and to aid the me too-ers in understanding the tools of the trade. These vary from online programs and webinars such as the Create Your Own Starship course and the Discover Your Potential program, to actual tools such as the Me Too Launchpad and the Me Too Canal.
The Future Outlook of ‘Me Too Elon Musk’
The future of ‘Me Too Elon Musk’ looks extremely promising. Between its now-established culture as an inspirational tool, its transformation into a mentor-based movement and its immense growth potential thanks to the advancement, reach and community of social media, it is clear that, with the right advice and guidance, people can flourish in the shadows of a modern-day legend, taking Elon Musk’s message with them into the future.
At the same time, with modern technology, the ‘me too’ movement has grown even further in capabilities, allowing more and more of those inspired by Musk to create their own unique versions of success. Through organizations such as the M2E Foundation and the MeToo Lounge, this message can now be shared with even greater depth and understanding. The sharing and spread of news, techniques and ideas has already grown exponentially, and this progress is only set to continue in the years to come.
It is clear that today’s generation are, and will continue to be, the ones to represent the me too movement. Whether it be through attracting new mentors, starting innovative side businesses, or fanning the flame of this now-iconic campaign, which, under the proper spirit and conditions, seeks to turn everyone into their own version of Elon Musk.
The Awareness of ‘Me Too Elon Musk’
Apart from the benefits it brings to aspiring entrepreneurs, the me too movement has created awareness and enthusiasm in many related aspects. Increased media coverage and its own share of celebrity endorsements have made Elon Musk himself more accessible, as well as further flooding society with the idea that success is soon achievable through the right amount of passion, hard work and dedication.
Furthermore, the media’s propelling of the me too message has opened up conversations about the importance of entrepreneurs. Open discussion of key topics such as the entrepreneurial environment, investment options and the skills necessary for success have become aplenty, with both financial and educational institutions now giving rise to this idea that someone can turn into their own version of a business leader.
Seeing through society, the me too movement has also connected people from all over. While Elon Musk remains the basis of the campaign, the idea of taking inspiration from any successful entrepreneur has taken precedence. Suffice to say, the me too philosophy is driving more and more people to focus on their ambitions and socialize with likeminded people, regardless of their personal connection to Musk.
The Global Reach of ‘Me Too Elon Musk’
Today, ‘Me Too Elon Musk’ has become increasingly unrecognizable from its humble beginnings in 2011. It has now expanded beyond the USA and reached audiences from all four corners of the globe. From Africa to Asia, from South America to Europe, the world has been inspired by the idea of being their own version of success and chasing their dreams.
In particular, nations that heavily incorporate technology and digital services into their countries strategies, such as India and South Korea, have become strong promoters of the me too lifestyle. Both within these countries and beyond, me too-ers have been flocking in ever larger number, turning the once underground movement into a vehicle of success and inspiration.
From promoting the spirit of risk-taking across the world, to simply providing its audience with inspiring stories of success, the ever-growing presence of the me too mindset has certainly made innovation and creativity more available and shared than ever before. This can particularly be seen in countries that lack the most basic of tools for progress and development, where the me too mentors have in recent times become the go-to example for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Ultimately, the me too philosophy seeks to embolden the idea that originality, risk-taking and ambition can turn into genuine success. In the case of Elon Musk, this certainly has seemed to become a reality, and it stands to reason that he may be credited as the first individual to have opened the doors to such them.
