Just like every person in real life, your Sims in The Sims 4 need a goal to aim towards. It gives them a reason to live, something to get out of bed for, and they earn Satisfaction Points by completing milestones along the way to meeting their Aspiration. 

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Those Satisfaction Points are important because they allow you to buy perks and potions to help you during a Sim’s lifetime. Here’s everything you need to know about Aspirations and how they can help your Sims work towards these pre-defined goals.

Table of contents

  • How to select an Aspiration in The Sims 4
  • Which The Sims 4 packs add new Aspirations?
  • How to complete Milestones in The Sims 4
  • Aspiration cheats for The Sims 4
  • Adding Aspiration Traits using cheats
    • Base game Aspiration traits
    • Traits from Expansion Packs
    • Traits from Game Packs
    • Traits from Stuff Packs and other sources

How to select an Aspiration in The Sims 4

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There are currently a total of 77 Aspirations to choose from in The Sims 4. You can pick your Aspiration when creating a new character in Create a Sim, and the Aspirations are grouped into 15 different categories. Aspirations within a category will reward a bonus trait. This bonus trait will apply to your Sim for their lifetime, even if they later go on to change their Aspiration.

The 15 categories into which all Aspirations are sorted, and the bonus trait for each, are: 

CategoryBonus TraitTrait effectAnimalAnimal AffectionRelationships with animals begin at higher valuesAthleticHigh MetabolismSims gain weight more slowly but build muscle fasterCreativityMuserGain boosts to experience gained when feeling InspiredDevianceDastardlyPerform stronger and more successful mean interactionsFamilyDomesticRelationships with familiar Sims grow faster and strongerFoodEssence of FlavorSims with this trait make higher-quality food and drinkFortuneBusiness SavvySims with this trait earn more money from all careersKnowledgeQuick LearnerIncreases the rate at which your Sim will build skillsLocationHome TurfWhen in their home neighborhood, these Sims become happierLoveAlluringThese Sims are more successful in love and romanceNatureCollectorThese Sims find rare collectibles more oftenPopularityGregariousSims will build friendly relationships fasterStar WarsPrepared VoyagerSims will fill up their needs slightly while travelingWellnessSpa MembershipThese Sims can get Spa treatments free of chargeWerewolfLuna ConfidentGain a positive or negative relationship boost when introducing themselves to Werewolves, depending on behavior

Which The Sims 4 packs add new Aspirations?

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The base game of The Sims 4 features 25 different Aspirations to choose from, split between nine of the 15 different categories. The following packs will add new Aspirations (or whole categories):

Expansion PacksGame PacksStuff PacksCity Living
Cats & Dogs
Get Famous
Island Living
Discover University
Eco Lifestyle
Snowy Escape
Cottage Living
Horse Ranch 
For Rent
Lovestruck 
Life & Death 
Businesses and HobbiesOutdoor Retreat 
Spa Day 
Vampires 
Parenthood 
Jungle Adventure 
StrangerVille 
Realm of Magic
Journey To Batuu
Werewolves Nifty Knitting 
Home Chef Hustle 
Bust the Dust 
Crystal Creations 

The Blast from the Past event, running during February 2025, also added one new Aspiration, “Sticky Fingers.” Combined, owning all of the above packs and completing this event will leave you with a total of 77 Aspirations to choose between when making a new Sim. 

How to complete Milestones in The Sims 4

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Each Aspiration comes with a list of different tasks to complete to reach the next stage of the Aspiration, also known as a Milestone. An Aspiration will usually have four different Milestones to complete, but that varies. These Milestones and the tasks you need to complete to achieve them won’t become clear until you’ve selected an Aspiration and entered Live Mode with that Sim. 

To see the Milestones for your Aspiration, open up the “Aspirations” tab in Live Mode, and you’ll see the current Milestone for your chosen Aspiration. You can also press the button with a star on it to open up the full Aspirations menu, where you can change your Aspiration at any time. Remember, you’ll always keep your initial bonus trait, regardless of what you change your Aspiration to. 

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For any of the Aspirations, you’ll be able to see all Milestones and what you need to do to complete them here. As you complete these objectives, you’ll progress through the Milestones and eventually be well on your way to fulfilling your Aspiration.

Aspiration cheats for The Sims 4

While putting in the hard work and reaching your goals through hard work is always the most rewarding way to do it, there are times when you just want to skip the stress and unlock the benefits without any additional effort. There are a few cheats you can use to skip through the Aspiration mechanics. 

All of the following cheats need the “testingcheats true” command to be entered before they will work:

CheatWhat it does“aspirations.complete_current_milestone”Completes the current milestone for any Aspiration“sims.add_buff points”Adds 100 Satisfaction Points“sims.give_satisfaction_points [#]”Use to add a specific number of Satisfaction Points by changing the ‘[#]’ to any number

Adding Aspiration Traits using cheats

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Each Aspiration comes with a trait that is rewarded once you complete the Aspiration and all of its Milestones. You can add any of these traits to your character by entering the following cheat into the console:

  • “traits.equip_trait [trait name]”

To unlock a trait for your Sim without having to complete the connected Aspiration, you’ll need to replace ‘[trait name]’ with the name of the trait (bolded below) minus any spaces or punctuation. For instance, getting the Angler’s Tranquility trait would require the full cheat of “traits.equip_trait anglerstranquility” to be entered into the console.

Here are all of the traits, which Aspiration they’re connected to, and what they offer.

Base game Aspiration traits

TraitAspirationWhat it doesLong LivedBodybuilderSim will live a longer natural life, accidents notwithstandingExpressionisticPainter ExtraordinaireCan create paintings with any emotional aura, regardless of actual mood while paintingPiperMusical GeniusSim learns four songs that can make other Sims act in certain waysPoeticBestselling AuthorAllows a Sim to create the Book of Life, which can resurrect a dead SimMastermindPublic EnemyProvides new interactions to cause negative moodlets in other SimsTormentorChief of MischiefGives a Sim the power to sabotage almost anythingTwisted HeartVillainous ValentineSim gains bonus Social from Mean and Mischief interactions, while Sad and Embarrassed moods go away more quicklyVicariousSuccessful LineageThis Sim will earn skill points while their child practices any skillMatriarch/PatriarchBig Happy FamilyThis Sim provides skill boosts to their children when they are closebyFresh ChefMaster ChefMakes all prepared food of the highest quality, and prepared food never spoilsPotion MasterMaster MixologistAllows this Sim to create drinks that can change the emotion of the drinkerShrewdFabulously WealthyReceives a payment each week depending on Household FundsThriftyMansion BaronReceive a 10% rebate on all Build Mode purchases each weekProfessionalRenaissance SimAllows a Sim to write manuals about skills they have a high level inHandyNerd BrainInstantly fix or upgrade any objectWebmasterComputer WhizUnlock new useful ways to use the computer, such as making money through playing gamesPlayerSerial RomanticNever cause another Sim to get jealous, regardless of what they doCompanionSoulmateUnlock special interactions with a Sims spouseNaturalistFreelance BotanistThis Sim can never be harmed by fire and can extinguish any fire easilyAppraiserThe CuratorAllows a Sim to sell collectibles to the Simsonian Museum for extra cashAngler’s TranquilityAngling AceRemoves all negative moodlets while fishingHilariousJoke StarThis Sim’s jokes always land, and unlocks additional jokes for their repertoirePerfect HostParty AnimalReceive a boost to the score of any social event this Sim throwsBelovedFriend of the WorldRelationships with other Sims will never fadeConfidanteNeighborhood ConfidanteAllows a Sim to avoid boring conversation and makes them more successful when meeting new people

Traits from Expansion Packs

TraitAspirationWhat it doesPackAnimal WhispererFriend of the AnimalsSims with this trait find it easier to train animals, and gain relationships with them fasterCats & DogsSurvival InstingExtreme Sports EnthusiastAlways escape wildlife attacks, sports-related accidents, and more resistant to severe weather conditionsSnowy EscapeWorldly KnowledgeMr. Komorebi SightseerSim is better at socializing and gaining discounts at market stallsSnowy EscapeGrand Champ TrainerChampionship RiderBoosts horse training ability and skill-building, selling horses for higher pricesHorse RanchNectar Know-It-AllExpert Nectar MakerAllows a sim to craft pre-aged Nectar, and gains an iron bladder when drinking NectarHorse RanchWorld Renowned Actor/ActressMaster Actor/ActressNever fail an acting actionGet FamousUnstoppable FameWorld-Famous CelebrityThis Sim will not experience fame decay over time, and never react poorly towards the paparazziGet FamousMuse of the MakerMaster MakerAllows a Sim to fabricate items at a reduced costEco LifestylePry of the TigerSeeker of SecretsBecome more successful when rummaging through junk mail, and unlocks the Tiger Inspector Badge to get out of trouble when breaking and enteringFor RentHome Manager MavenFive-Star Property OwnerSim is more successful when dealing with tenants’ emergencies and build stronger relationships with tenantsFor RentTomarang ExpertFount of Tomorani KnowledgeSims become more successful at actions performed in Tomarang and with its residentsFor RentNeighborlyDiscerning DwellerSim is better at negotiating rent and getting along with neighborsFor RentHigher EducationAcademicGain more skill using the Electromagnetic Research Archive Machine, and earn more money selling Research PapersDiscover UniversityGhost WhispererGhost HistorianHave an easier time building relationships with ghosts, unlocks special interactions to discuss eerie findingsLife & DeathMotivational SpeakerMaster MentorAllows Sim to give a Motivating Speech, which boosts skill gain for them and othersBusinesses & HobbiesInfluential IndividualEco InnovatorEveryone listens to this Sim when they speak, following their leadBusinesses & HobbiesBeloved BrandEsteemed EntrepreneurSmall Businesses run by this Sim will get more positive reviewsBusinesses & HobbiesIn the KnowCity NativeGet a massive discount at market stalls if this Sim haggles with vendorsCity LivingLaid-BackBeach LifeThis Sim will never become tenseIsland LivingSeasoned RomanticRomantic ExplorerRomantic relationships between this Sim and others grow faster, and they get over embarrassment more quicklyLovestruckAffection AficionadoParagon PartnerThis Sim will lose romantic satisfaction more slowly, less than 1% of the normal speedLovestruckNature ConversationalistCountry CaretakerThis Sim has improved relationships with animals, allowing the animals to live longer, and yield more from harvesting crops and get free grocery deliveries and a discount on their bills if they live in Henford-on-BagleyCottage LivingNatural LeaderLeader of the PackEarn club points much faster and overthrow leaders more easilyGet Together

Traits from Game Packs

TraitAspirationWhat it doesPackI am the MasterVampire FamilyCommand Powers used on this Sims children will always succeedVampiresA True MasterMaster VampireExcel at Mind Control powers and have more Vampire Energy storesVampiresRegained HumanityGood VampireSims are more likely to give this Vampire Sim permission to drinkVampiresRole ModelSuper ParentGive bonus character value scoring when near toddlers, children, or teensParenthoodMuseum PatronArchaeology ScholarBecome confident in museums and flirty when on a date thereJungle AdventureTreasure HunterJungle ExplorerOccasionally find relics and treasure that other Sims would missJungle AdventureSlinger of SpellsSpellcraft & SorceryThis Sim will create less charge when casting spellsRealm of MagicMaster MixerPurveyor of PotionsRarely fail when using potions on this SimRealm of MagicHero of StrangerVilleStrangerVille MysteryReceive fan mail and retell the story of your adventureStrangerVilleSurvivalistOutdoor EnthusiastThis Sim doesn’t mind living off the land and sleeping under the starsOutdoor RetreatA Gift of CreditsHope vs OrderReceive a payment of Credits from your chosen FactionJourney to BatuuHeroic PresenceParagon of HopeGain charisma more easily and inspire other sims easilyJourney to BatuuSupreme AuthorityEnforcer of OrderHave an edge during fights and are less likely to die from angerJourney to BatuuSleight of HandGalactic PrivateerPickpocket from other sims and never get caught cheating at SabaccJourney to BatuuClear PerspectiveInner PeaceGain access to an action that grants a moodlet that prevents negative emotions for three hoursSpa DaySelf-Care ExpertiseSelf-Care SpecialistIncreased skill gain in wellness activities, and clients pay more for servicesSpa DayCalming AuraZen GuruAllows a Sim to generate a calming aura, affecting nearby SimsSpa DayFanged FriendWerewolf InitiateReceive a boost to relationships with all SimsWerewolvesThreatening PresenceLone WolfInspire fear in nearby Sims, aside from GregWerewolvesRefined LupinEmissary of the CollectiveGenerate less Fury over timeWerewolvesChomp ChampionWildfang RenegadeSims turned by a Chomp Champion won’t react negatively, and will instead join the Sims packWerewolvesLunar LinkCure SeekerOnce cured, this Sim will retain a link to benefits of the Lunar CycleWerewolves

Traits from Stuff Packs and other sources

TraitAspirationWhat it doesPackSacred Knitting KnowledgeLord/Lady of the KnitsCraft unique knitted items, gain enhanced benefits when teaching others to knit, and free others from the Sweater CurseNifty KnittingEnhanced KleptomaniacSticky FingersLess likely to be caught stealing, even right in front of another SimBlast from the Past eventBatch CookAppliance WizAlways receive a duplicate of any recipe made using prepped ingredientsHome Chef HustleBooth BossMarket MagnateSet higher markups and be more successful convincing other Sims to buy items at Food Stands and Sales TablesHome Chef HustleFast and FastidiousPerfectly PristineThis Sim does not get negative moodlets or lose fun while cleaning, and they clean quicker using unlocked actionsBust the DustFilth DwellerFabulously FilthySim receives happy moodlets in dirty locations, gain he ability to befriend Filth FriendsBust the DustAttunedCrystal CrafterJewelery worn by this Sim will remain charged for longer and Sim can absorb energy from charged crystalsCrystal Creations Post Tag: The Sims The Sims 4 Destructoid is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy Join The Conversation