Elon Musk, the entrepreneur known for his relentless work ethic and ambitious ventures, recently revealed that he will be working around the clock and sleeping in factory rooms as he seeks to navigate challenges following a major outage on X (formerly Twitter). This decision comes amidst increasing scrutiny from investors and the public, prompting Musk to recommit himself fully to his companies — Tesla, SpaceX, and X — by adopting an intense work schedule reminiscent of his past marathon efforts.
The Outage That Sparked a Renewed Focus
X experienced a widespread service disruption recently due to a fire at one of its key data centers in Oregon. This incident not only took down the platform for hours but also exposed vulnerabilities in infrastructure and operational redundancies. Musk, who acquired the social media platform with the vision of transforming it into a super-app, faced criticism for the outage’s handling and the platform’s technical stability.
The outage seemed to mark a tipping point. Musk himself admitted that the incident was “unacceptable” and pledged to take immediate and rigorous action. Recognizing that the company needs more hands-on leadership, Musk announced that he would be working 24/7, even sleeping onsite at his factories and offices to oversee operations personally.
Returning to the Factory Floors
Musk’s new work pattern is not unfamiliar. In previous years, during pivotal moments such as the ramp-up of Tesla’s Model 3 production, he famously spent nights at the factory, sleeping on the floor or in conference rooms to ensure the company met production goals. Now, he is reinstating that exact approach, but on a grander scale across multiple ventures.
He stated publicly that he is “too overwhelmed” by his workload and that constant presence in factories and data centers is necessary to push progress forward. This hands-on involvement also comes as Musk faces pressure from Tesla shareholders who have expressed concerns about his divided attention.
Investor Concerns and Shareholder Demands
Several institutional investors, including pension funds managing nearly a trillion dollars in assets, have recently voiced worries that Musk’s simultaneous roles across Tesla, SpaceX, X, and political engagements could be detrimental to Tesla’s performance. These investors have asked Musk to commit at least 40 hours per week directly to Tesla, emphasizing the need for focused leadership.
This push from investors follows a period where Musk’s time was spread thin. Aside from his business ventures, Musk also took on a role in government efficiency efforts during the Trump administration, which some shareholders viewed as a distraction from his core companies.
Impact on Tesla and Market Response
Musk’s recommitment appears to have soothed some investor nerves. Following his announcement, Tesla shares surged by nearly 7%, signaling renewed confidence in Musk’s leadership and Tesla’s future prospects. The market responded positively not only to the renewed focus but also to Musk’s ongoing innovation pipeline, including upcoming products like the affordable mass-market EV and the robotaxi service planned for Austin.
Analysts note that Musk’s return to a full-time work presence could accelerate Tesla’s ambitious production targets and technological developments. However, they also caution that the sustainability of such a grueling schedule could be a concern in the long term.
The Physical and Mental Toll
While Musk’s extreme work ethic has earned him admiration and legendary status among tech entrepreneurs, it is also a double-edged sword. Working 80-100 hours a week, as Musk has reportedly done in previous years, can take a serious toll on physical health and mental well-being.
Experts warn that prolonged overwork can lead to burnout, diminished decision-making capabilities, and long-term health complications. Musk himself has acknowledged the difficulty of balancing such a workload, describing his current schedule as “too much work on my plate.”
The question now is whether Musk can maintain this pace sustainably while continuing to lead multiple multi-billion dollar ventures that require visionary thinking and strategic oversight.
Scaling Back Non-Core Commitments
In a bid to regain focus, Musk has also signaled an intention to scale back his political activities and other outside engagements. While he remains open to providing advice and support when called upon, he plans to prioritize his core business ventures.
This shift is welcomed by investors and employees alike, who have long expressed concerns that Musk’s political involvement, including his role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), might detract from his ability to steer his companies effectively.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for Musk’s Ventures
Musk’s recommitment to working 24/7 and living onsite in factory and office rooms indicates a new phase of hands-on leadership. For Tesla, this could mean more rapid product rollouts and problem-solving directly at the production level. For X, the focus will likely be on improving platform stability, infrastructure, and user experience after the recent outage revealed serious weaknesses.
SpaceX, too, may benefit from Musk’s intensified presence as the company ramps up Starship development and Mars colonization ambitions.
Yet, the long-term sustainability of Musk’s intense schedule will be closely watched. While his drive and dedication are undeniable, experts and stakeholders hope he finds a healthy balance to preserve his well-being and continue leading innovation.
Conclusion
Elon Musk’s announcement that he will be working 24/7 and sleeping in factory rooms signals a return to the relentless pace that has defined many of his successes. Triggered by the X outage and mounting investor demands, this recommitment aims to restore confidence and accelerate progress across his portfolio of companies.
While this approach has previously helped Musk pull Tesla and SpaceX through critical periods, the challenge remains to sustain this energy without compromising health or strategic clarity. As Musk doubles down on his hands-on involvement, the world watches closely — eager to see what breakthroughs and innovations will follow in this next chapter of his entrepreneurial journey.