April has been a challenging month for my personal motivation. My 40 birthday marked entry to middle life, my toddler son gifted me with a long-lasting cold, my weight went up despite renewed attempts to be active, and my portfolio took a nice dip along with the rest of the market.

The W2 path to financial freedom is long, narrow, and filled with blinding bends that makes you ask, at nearly every turn, “how far”, “how long”, and “what’s next”. I recently came across Tal Ben-Shahar’s way to help think about this and put on my own twist: ASPIRE (the A is my contribution).

Originally a model for happiness, this works equally well to motivate FIRE:

Ambition: the tactical goal that gives you immediate focus and gratification (upon achievement). Example: create a budget, invest 10% of your next paycheck into VTI, etc.

Mine: pay down $100K of my mortgage, and get to $500K in QYLD, in 2024

Spiritual: the North Star in life that gives you purpose. Example: never have to choose between your family and your work, grant yourself the freedom to pursue your true passion, etc.

Mine: create a financial wall around my family that nothing can get through

Physical: exercise and routines to remain physically active. Example: 20 min daily yoga, morning stroll, etc.

Mine: fill my apple watch rings daily, and as much of One Punch Man calisthenics as I can

Intellectual: mental curiosity and intensity that exercises and engages your mind. Example: Wikipedia rabbit holes on topic du-jour, learn how to do something you’ve always wondered about on YouTube, etc.

Mine: build hobby models and write this blog

Relational: spending time with those close to you to nurture bonds and cultivate love. Example: family events, FaceTime a friend, etc.

Mine: spend an average minimum of 2 hrs a day with my son

Emotional: tune into emotions that will fuel your next steps. Example: inspirational true stories, enjoy an artform you love, etc.

Mine: daily giving of thanks

The physical one has been challenging lately, and I can always spend more time with my son, but I’ve been keeping on with the rest. It’s helped me, and I hope that it also helps you.