Bad habits – we all have them.
Some are worse than others. If you're anything like me, then you've put your life on hold because of them.
You didn't even know it – Then, one day, you were short a few friends and you didn't come any closer to achieving your dreams.
I know that feeling all too well, gentlemen. It's time to address it.
We're going over 7 bad habits in men to avoid like the plague.
- NEVER allowing disrespect
- ignoring the risks
- Using women to validate yourself
- Excessive partying
- Comparing yourself to others
- Intimidating people
- NEVER admitting defeat
Men's Bad Habit 1. NEVER Allowing Disrespect
This one might surprise you.
There you are – the quintessential alpha male. Your greatest prize is the recognition of your authority. Caligula's refrain “let them hate, so long as they obey” resonates just fine with you.
What does this get you? Stagnation. The men and women who work for you will never feel they can take the initiative out of fear. As a result, you could be stifling brilliance.
A good leader allows discord to an extent. I always tell my team the following phrase: Beg for forgiveness instead of asking for permission.
It means taking the initiative. Not waiting on the approval of a manager or even myself. If you can't reach anyone, then go for it.
As far as bad habits go, this one is all-too-common among leaders.
Men's Bad Habit 2. Ignoring The Risks
Some of the greatest feats in history have been taken with colossal risks. However, many of those men had nothing to lose.
Caesar was in massive debt when he invaded Gaul, and Hannibal had no ties home when he crossed the Alps.
A bad habit in a lot of guys lies in our propensity to ignore risk – because acknowledging it and hesitating is weakness, right?
Wrong, it's being smart.
True, the timid don't tread – but there is a balance. If you are a father, remember that there are people who depend on you for everything.
Do not put yourself in needless danger simply to make a point. This can go for any scenario – from braving the fall off a cliff to considering a major financial investment.
Weigh the pros and cons – make a list depending on the severity of the task at hand. Most of all, do not be afraid to say NO.
It takes a bigger man to say no than to agree to everything. This is the core tenet of Essentialism.
Men's Bad Habit 3. Using Women To Validate Yourself
We fall into this during our high school days, if not before. We get told that social prestige goes hand-in-hand with the number of women we sleep with.
Women are not currency. They are people.
Times are changing. The image of the promiscuous man is shifting from something to be praised to something childish. The player is now the manwhore.
Get with the times, gentlemen. Your success has nothing to do with how many numbers you get at the bar, or how many ladies you seduce.
What gets by these days is respect – both to yourself and to those around you. Stop treating the ladies like chump change.
Men's Bad Habit 4. Excessive Partying
One of the worst habits…
How easily are you distracted from work?
How often do you sit there with your eyes on that half-finished report thinking about all the beers you're going to slam with your bros this weekend?
Snap out of it.
When you let yourself procrastinate, your work suffers. If you're having trouble focusing, there are steps you can take.
Slap on some headphones and blast some jams to get you in the zone. Work through 20 minutes of intense focus while giving yourself a 10-minute break. Give YOURSELF a deadline to stay accountable.
Otherwise? Your work and play will seem to blend in together. You'll feel like there's no escape and deprive yourself both ways.
Men's Bad Habit 5. Comparing Yourself To Others
Depending on how much you do it, this can lead to serious depressive issues.
Do not be fooled by the Instagram pictures featuring the gorgeous wife, the stylish car, and the big house.
You have no idea what's going on behind the scenes.
More often than not, constant boasting is the symptom of some dee-seeded insecurities.
Everyone meets success in their own way. It's not a contest. Sure, your friends might be ahead of you now, but your big break is yet to come.
Stay on the ball – dedicate a little time each day to building that business, to finishing that project. Forget about what everyone else has going on.
Men's Bad Habit 6. Intimidating People
This isn't just about bad habits, it's about outright toxicity.
This is the man who crosses his arms, who gets up in your face, who speaks harshly every time, who always bullies.
Coming across sternly is one thing, deliberately scaring people is another.
Intimidation only gets you so far – sooner or later, people will see through the self-doubt.
It doesn't always work, either. A more insightful person might interpret your rampant bullying as a sign of some embedded insecurities. They might be right!
Trust me, gentlemen – it goes back to point 1. If you keep trying to scare people and pretend to be an alpha, you'll come home to an empty house one day.
Men's Bad Habit 7. NEVER Admitting Defeat
I left the most important for last.
A 2002 Psychology Today article put it best…
An apology isn't just a social norm. It's a way to show empathy and respect to a person. It prevents a problem that could damage a relationship from festering.
It's a way to alleviate others of their rage and prevent any more mishaps.
Most importantly, it's the gesture of a real man. A man who recognizes when he is in the wrong, who understands those he wronged matter, who has the courage to say he's sorry?
Gentlemen, that takes balls.
Summary – Bad Habits
There's a theme here: courage.
Every single one of these bad habits requires you to man up and recognize them. Recognition is the first step toward the solution.
What's more, it takes courage to follow a comprehensive plan to eradicate them. It doesn't matter how bad they are, gentlemen. If you overcome your demons, you are one badass dude.
Read next: 10 Things Real Men Should Never Do
Click below to watch the video – 7 DESTRUCTIVE *Alpha* Habits That Will RUIN Your Life
