The A.P.I. Model represents the virtuous cycle that defines the basic underpinnings of tangible success within the world. The A.P.I. Model stands for “Aspire, Perspire, Inspire,” and is my personal credo for impacting others’ perceptions of the world.
Broken down into its elements, the A.P.I. Model represents fundamental components of one’s professional ambitions; as a holistic methodology, the A.P.I. Model sustains growth, innovation, and persistence.
Aspire: Whatever we become is a reflection of our aspirations, whether conscious or subconscious. Our goals, thoughts, and habits encapsulate our aspirations and establish the foundation upon which our careers, relationships, and personal ambitions build. Many of us set goals that are far short of our potential, and yet, we still fail to allocate enough capital (time, energy, money) to achieve these goals. Challenge yourself to aspire for more, and derive a plan that entails the best-case scenario, worst-case scenario, and a realistic allocation of the capital required to achieve your aspiration.
Perspire: The expression, “Hard work beats talent that doesn’t work hard,” could not be more true. Once your aspirations create the plan, you must work the plan. The little thing called “luck” is where opportunity intersects committed, diligent work. Whatever your aspiration, you need to convert thought into action. Perspiration, the labor of converting abstract into concrete, or fantasy into reality, is entirely driven by its owner … you. Perspire in the pursuit of your aspiration by leveraging self-discipline, sense of purpose, and resilience. No matter the capital required, you can only reap the capital that you input into your pursuit. As you perspire, you will falter, adapt, and conquer. But if you stop perspiring after your first failure, or your thousandth, then you may as well not have perspired, or aspired, at all. Keep running into the wall, and eventually, you’ll knock it down. Allow your perspiration to transform into transpiration, in which you achieve precisely what you envision.
Inspire: A byproduct of achievement is the innate message it signals to others. If one human can do something, more likely than not, another human can do that something as well. As we aspire, perspire, and ultimately achieve our goals, we naturally inspire friends, colleagues, and, sometimes, masses of people to develop their own aspirations, get back to the grind, or bounce back after their ten thousandth failure. After all, most people who achieve can attribute their success, at least partially, to their own inspiration sources. Paying inspiration forward not only completes the virtuous cycle, but also increases our sphere of influence, impact on the world, and future ambitions.
Aspire, Perspire, Inspire. Set a goal, work to achieve it, and let your success speak for itself. The A.P.I. Model accounts for the foundation, the structure, and the contents of your mansion. The only limit to the size and value of your mansion is your mindset. Stripped of everything, you will always have your creativity, imagination, and drive. These traits comprise the cornerstone of Aspire and Perspire, and can spark others’ mindsets and attitudes during the Inspire stage. Get to planning, get to working, and get to success!
