How to Be More Masculine: Mastering Manliness
What does it mean to be a masculine man in today’s world?
With the rise of discussions surrounding masculinity and its role in society, many men seek ways to embrace their masculine traits and unlock their inner Alpha male.
I’ve worked tirelessly on becoming a better man myself since a young age, and now I’m eager to share these insights with you.
In the simplest terms, becoming more masculine involves enhancing your physical appearance, bolstering your emotional strength, and understanding societal expectations around masculinity.
But don’t worry – it’s less daunting than it sounds!
Let’s explore various aspects of masculinity, from physical strength and mental resilience to emotional intelligence.
Get ready to discover how to be more masculine and become the best version of yourself, leading a more fulfilling life!
Quick Summary
- Embrace manly traits by developing physical strength, mental resilience, and emotional intelligence.
- Build confidence & assertiveness through goal setting, dressing for success & body language.
- Nurture relationships with strong communication skills, respect, and empathy while overcoming challenges with courage.
Table of Contents
Embracing Your Masculine Traits
Being a masculine man is not just about physical appearance; it’s also about the mindset and the values you embody in your own life.
Embracing your masculine traits involves developing physical strength, mental resilience, and emotional intelligence.
Focusing on these areas and harnessing your masculine energy will help you to become a well-rounded, confident man who is ready to take on the world and face challenges that inevitably will come your way.
In this journey, surrounding yourself with other masculine men helps to inspire and motivate you when things get tough.
Let’s dive into these aspects to understand better the importance of embracing your masculine edge.
Physical Strength
Physical strength is often one of the first things that comes to mind when considering masculine traits.
It’s no secret that many women find strong, muscular men attractive, and there’s a good reason for that. Throughout evolution, it was out of necessity to befriend strong men for survival, a deeply ingrained trait we unconsciously gravitate towards yet today.
This masculine trait makes you look more masculine and boosts your self-esteem, making you feel more confident in your own skin.
How to develop physical strength
Developing physical strength is relatively easy, and most people overcomplicate it.
Exercise regularly, do weightlifting, and do sports, preferably martial arts, that’s it! I’ve done this for years and stay lean and muscular year round.
I do some boxing or Muay Thai practice twice weekly and weight lift thrice weekly with a Reverse Pyramid Training style (RPT).
This is the most effective fitness program to slice off fat, gain perfect muscle proportion and look like an absolute Movie Star.
This type of regiment will make you both physically capable and look good naked without being too bulky or skinny.
Aim to exercise 3-5 times a week and stick to a workout plan for at least six weeks to see noticeable results.
Not only will you look better, but you’ll also feel healthier and more energetic, ready to tackle life’s challenges head-on.
Mental Resilience
Mental resilience is another crucial aspect of embracing your masculine traits.
It’s the ability to bounce back from setbacks, face challenges head-on, and remain steadfast in pursuing your goals.
Developing mental resilience is not as easy as developing physical strengths, as it requires you to challenge yourself consistently and push yourself out of your comfort zone.
How to start building mental resilience
To build mental resilience, try setting goals and taking on new challenges that force you to grow and adapt. The gym is perhaps the easiest way to apply and train your mental resilience, and it goes hand in hand with physical fitness.
Besides the gym, reflect on your mistakes, learn from them, and cultivate self-discipline to overcome obstacles.
For this, I prefer to use a digital notebook for brain-dumping my thoughts and making sense of them. Self-reflection is key to learning from your mistakes and requires actual effort.
Fostering mental resilience and becoming more capable of handling life’s ups and downs, ultimately letting you become a more robust and dependable man.
Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence is often overlooked when discussing masculine traits, but it’s essential to being a well-rounded man.
It’s the ability to understand and manage emotions, empathize with others, and maintain healthy relationships. A masculine man knows that emotional intelligence is critical for navigating the complexities of life and interacting with others.
To enhance your emotional intelligence, focus on understanding and managing your emotions, empathy, and maintaining healthy relationships.
Developing strong communication skills, practicing active listening, and showing respect and empathy are all vital components of emotional intelligence. We’ll cover these more in-depth in the sections below.
Honing these skills will make you a more compassionate and understanding man who can forge deep connections with others, which is gravely lacking in today’s modern relationships.
Developing a Masculine Mindset
Adopting a masculine mindset is essential to becoming confident and capable.
It involves building confidence, practicing assertiveness, and setting and achieving goals that give your life purpose and direction.
This section will explore these components and provide practical tips to help you develop a masculine mindset that will empower you to take control of your life and unlock your full potential.
Confidence Building
Confidence is a key trait in masculinity, showing strength, determination, and decisiveness.
Boosting your confidence begins with self-reflection, identifying your strengths and areas for improvement, and celebrating your achievements, just as we discussed with building mental resilience through working out.
Another confidence-building strategy is to practice positive affirmations, which can help reinforce your belief in your abilities and worth.
Surround yourself with supportive people who believe in you and encourage your growth.
Focusing on accomplishments and a positive mindset will make you more prone to tackle life’s challenges.
And believe me; they WILL come, one way or another.
Assertiveness Training
Stepping into your masculine power often involves honing your assertiveness. This doesn’t mean becoming aggressive or domineering but rather learning to communicate your needs, desires, and boundaries effectively and respectfully. Here are a few tips to help you begin your assertiveness training journey.
- Practice saying ‘no’: It might seem simple, but many of us struggle with this. Start small, perhaps by declining an invitation you’re not interested in, and work your way up.
- Express your feelings: Use “I” statements to express how you feel. For instance, instead of saying, “You’re annoying me,” try “I feel irritated when…”.
- Stand up straight: Body language communicates a lot. Standing tall and maintaining eye contact can send a powerful message of assertiveness.
- Stay calm: Even when you disagree, keep your cool. Raising your voice or losing your temper undermines your message and can be interpreted as aggression, not assertiveness.
- Listen: Assertiveness also involves listening to others and respecting their point of view. Remember, it’s about open communication, not bulldozing over others.
Practice expressing yourself clearly and confidently, even when uncomfortable or anxious. It’s harder than you might think, but being cognisant about it will help a lot.
Assertiveness takes practice, and it’s okay if you don’t get it right every time. The key is to keep trying, learning, and growing.
In time, you’ll find your voice and learn how to use it in a way that feels authentic and powerful to you. Honing your assertiveness skills and becoming decisive and self-assured will help you to be on the path of masculinity.
Goal Setting and Achievement
Ever heard of the saying, “A man without a goal is like a ship without a rudder”?
Setting and achieving goals is a vital component of a growth mindset. It allows you to create a purpose-driven life and demonstrates your determination and ambition. It’s not just about physical strength but also emotional fortitude and perseverance.
To set and achieve meaningful goals, create a clear vision of what you want to accomplish and break it down into manageable steps. This is where a notebook will come in handy again.
Step 1: Set Clear Goals
- First things first, identify what you want to achieve. Whether it’s building muscle, achieving a promotion at work, or gaining more self-confidence, have a clear picture of what success looks like to you.
- Write these goals down and keep them somewhere you can see them daily. This will serve as a constant reminder and motivation.
Step 2: Create a Plan
- Now that you have your goals break them down into smaller, manageable tasks. For example, if your goal is to build muscle, your plan might include going to the gym four times a week and maintaining a protein-rich diet.
- Rome wasn’t built in a day. Be patient and consistent with your actions.
Step 3: Embrace Challenges
- Achieving your goals won’t always be a smooth ride. There will be obstacles and setbacks, but they’re not meant to deter you. Instead, they’re opportunities for growth and learning.
- It’s not about how many times you fall but how many times you get back up. Embrace the challenges and keep pushing forward.
Step 4: Celebrate Success
- Don’t forget to celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. Rewarding yourself boosts your morale and fuels your motivation to keep going.
- Whether you’ve just completed your first week at the gym or spoken confidently in a meeting, give yourself a pat on the back. You’re on your way to becoming a more masculine man.
Stay committed to your progress, even when faced with setbacks or challenges, and solve these issues as they arise.
Enhancing Your Masculine Appearance
Enhancing your masculine appearance is key to embracing your masculinity as an alpha male.
This involves dressing for success, maintaining proper body language and posture, and grooming facial hair.
This section will discuss these components and provide practical tips to help you improve your style appearance and make a strong impression on others.
Dressing for Success
What you wear says a lot about who you are, and this rings especially true when trying to embody a more traditionally masculine aesthetic. In this regard, your wardrobe is a powerful tool for enhancing your masculinity. Below, we’ll explore some tips and tricks on wearing clothes.
1. Embrace Neutrals and Earth Tones
Start by updating your color palette. Traditionally masculine colors tend to be neutral or earth tones such as browns, greens, grays, and navy. These colors are versatile, easy to match, and project a sense of stability and strength.
2. Invest in Timeless Pieces
Nothing exemplifies masculinity like a well-tailored suit or a classic leather jacket. These timeless pieces enhance your physique and give off an air of confidence and sophistication. Stick to neutral or darker shades of jeans, cargo pants, t-shirts, and dress shirts. Quality over quantity should be your mantra here.
3. Choose the Right Fit
Wear clothes that fit well and make you feel good about yourself. Building a masculine wardrobe with classic, well-fitting clothes like collared shirts, suits, and leather shoes will give you a more masculine look. Too tight (like skinny jeans), and you may come off as trying too hard; too loose, and it can look sloppy. Your clothes should flatter your body type, highlighting your best features while downplaying any areas of self-consciousness.
4. Pay Attention to Footwear
Your choice of footwear can make or break your outfit. A pair of well-polished dress shoes or sturdy boots can elevate your look, adding a rugged yet refined touch to your overall appearance.
5. Don’t Forget Luxury Accessories
Last but not least, accessories are the icing on the cake. A stylish watch, a simple necklace, or even a tasteful set of cufflinks can add a dash of personality, making your style unique and distinctively yours.
Dressing more masculinely doesn’t mean abandoning your personal style. It’s about making deliberate choices that reflect your personality while adhering to certain elements traditionally associated with masculinity.
Think of a luxury watch, cigar accessories, designer sunglasses, and a messenger bag to complete the G look. As you start updating your wardrobe and dressing for success, you’ll look more masculine and feel more confident; win-win!
Dressing in a way that accentuates your masculine features is crucial for making a strong impression and boosting your confidence.
Body Language and Posture
Confident body language and posture are essential components of a masculine appearance.
Stand straight, make eye contact, and take up space to project confidence and authority. Your body language communicates a lot about your attitude and self-assurance, so pay attention to the signals you’re sending.
Once again, it comes down to simply being aware of your demeanor at all times. In addition to standing tall, maintain a relaxed posture and hold your head high.
Adopting a confident body language and posture will enhance your masculine appearance, make a strong impression on others, and helps you to be self-assured and in control.
Facial Hair and Grooming
Facial hair and grooming play a HUGE role in enhancing your masculine appearance.
The global men’s grooming products market was valued at $202.6 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $376.4 billion by 20301
This shows the importance men across the globe place on their appearance and the lengths they’re willing to go to invest in it.
Growing and grooming facial hair will help you to look more put together, as long as you keep everything from face to hair neat and tidy.
Choose a facial hair style that suits your face shape and personal style, and invest in quality grooming tools and products to maintain its appearance.
Nurturing Healthy Relationships
Healthy relationships are fundamental to leading a fulfilling life for any human being.
As a masculine man, developing strong communication skills, showing respect and empathy, and demonstrating leadership and teamwork are essential.
Communication Skills
The art of communication is a true pillar of masculinity, and the notion of real men isn’t defined by gruff silence. They’re leaders and influencers and know the power of a well-placed word.
Active Listening: Elevate your communication game by practicing active listening. This means fully engrossing yourself in the conversation, not just waiting for your turn to speak.
- Focus on the speaker: Lock onto their words, body language, and tone.
- Hold back your judgment: Keep an open mind, even when your views differ.
- Feedback: Let them know you’ve understood. Paraphrase their words or nod affirmatively.
Here’s a tip: when listening, imagine you’ll have to teach the topic to someone else later. It’ll improve attentiveness and comprehension.
Non-Verbal Communication: Your body language, facial expressions, and posture speak volumes about your confidence. Harness this power!
- Stand tall, with your shoulders back. It screams self-assuredness.
- Eye contact: It’s a sign of respect and attentiveness. Just remember not to stare.
- Use gestures: Hand movements can enhance your speech, making it more engaging.
Keep it Clear and Concise: There’s a certain elegance in simplicity, my friend. Long-winded speeches can lose your listener’s interest.
- Plan out your message: Know what you want to say before you say it.
- Keep sentences short: They’re easier to understand and digest.
- Use simple language: Leave the jargon and complex words at home.
Communication isn’t about dominance; it’s about understanding and being understood. So go forth and converse with confidence!
Respect and Empathy
Respect and empathy are crucial aspects of a well-rounded, masculine individual. They define how you interact with others, shaping your relationships and, ultimately, your self-perception. Let’s delve further into these two compelling traits.
Respect is not just about treating others well; it’s also about how you treat yourself. Adopting a self-care routine, setting personal boundaries, and nurturing your passions are all parts of this process.
- Self-care: This could involve anything from a consistent fitness routine to a skincare regimen. Looking after your physical well-being often translates into a more confident demeanor.
- Setting boundaries: Don’t allow others to overstep your comfort zone. It’s okay to say no when you need to, reinforcing your respect for your personal space and time.
- Nurturing passions: Whether it’s reading, playing an instrument, or cooking, investing time in what you love fuels your self-esteem and showcases respect for your interests and desires.
Embodying a traditionally masculine persona doesn’t mean that you should exclude empathy. In fact, being more empathetic can significantly boost your emotional strength and self-confidence.
“Being masculine does not mean you have to be a rock. It’s okay to tune in to your emotions and those of others. In fact, it’s a strength.”
Two quick tips from the top of my mind are:
- Validate Others’ Emotions: Even if you don’t understand or agree with someone’s feelings, it’s essential to acknowledge them. Validation doesn’t mean agreement but communicates that you value their perspective.
- Develop Your Emotional Vocabulary: Expand your language to describe feelings. This will help you understand and express emotions more accurately, leading to deeper connections with others.
Treat others with kindness, understand their feelings, and value their opinions. This not only helps to build trust and rapport, but also demonstrates the emotional intelligence necessary for a masculine man to be considered a nice guy.
Leadership and Teamwork
Initiative, a cornerstone of masculinity, illustrates your independent decision-making and action-taking capabilities. It can be shown in many scenarios, like managing a work assignment or organizing a short vacation.
Leadership, another key masculine attribute, implies accountability for your deeds, assisting others, and bravery in challenging times. It’s about guiding and teaching, providing direction in difficult situations.
True masculinity involves effective teamwork and reliability too. This enhances your interpersonal skills and establishes you as a dependable team member.
Supporting others is another crucial masculine quality. This includes helping others, providing advice, and celebrating their achievements. This boosts your self-confidence and shows strong character.
As a man, balancing leadership with allowing others to contribute to a team or relationship is crucial.
Showing both leadership and teamwork creates a supportive environment where everyone feels valued, promoting positive relationships.
Overcoming Challenges and Adversity
Life is full of challenges and adversity, but it’s how we face these obstacles that define us as individuals.
As a masculine man, it’s essential to embrace discomfort, learn from failure, and take action in the face of fear throughout our lives, ultimately shaping our lives.
Real men relish challenges, and this mindset sets them apart from wannabe tough guys.
Embracing Discomfort
Seeking out new experiences, pushing your limits, and stepping outside your comfort zone will help you develop the strength and resilience necessary to face life’s difficulties head-on. This is something that people shy away from their entire lives.
To embrace discomfort, try new activities that challenge you, both physically and mentally. This could be anything from taking up a new sport to learning a new language or skill.
- Physical Challenges: Engage in regular physical exercise. This could mean lifting weights, running, cycling, or even joining a sports team. Not only do these activities help sculpt a more traditionally masculine physique, but they also instill discipline and endurance.
- Mental Challenges: Pushing your mind is as important as pushing your body. Try engaging in activities like chess, learning a new language, or tackling complex puzzles. These activities can help sharpen your intellect and problem-solving abilities.
- Public Speaking: This can be daunting for many, but the ability to articulate your thoughts clearly is a strong masculine trait. Join a local Toastmasters club or take part in public speaking workshops.
- Learning to Cook: There’s something profoundly masculine about being able to craft a meal from scratch. Plus, it’s a valuable skill that’s sure to impress.
- Traveling Solo: Traveling alone can be a powerful way to learn more about yourself and gain independence, both important aspects of masculinity.
Regularly pushing yourself out of your comfort zone will make you more adaptable and better equipped to handle challenges and adversity.
Learning from Failure
It’s time to redefine the concept of failure. In pursuing more traditional masculinity, failure is not an end but a stepping stone toward success. Embrace it as an opportunity for growth and learning.
Failure is a teacher: When we stumble, it’s an opportunity to learn. Nobody gets everything right on the first try. It’s through trial and error that we truly learn and grow.
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill
After a setback, take some time to reflect. What went wrong? What can you learn from this? How can you apply this lesson in the future? Write down these observations and reflect on them regularly.
- Resilience: One of the most admirable masculine traits is resilience. Seeing failure as a teacher helps you build this trait. You’re getting stronger every time you get knocked down and stand back up.
- Confidence: Confidence doesn’t come from never failing but from not fearing failure. When you’re not afraid to fail, you can take risks and step out of your comfort zone.
- Wisdom: Wisdom comes from experience, and failure is a big part of that. Remember, experience is just another name for our mistakes.
So go ahead, take the risks, and make those mistakes. After all, it’s not about winning all the time; it’s about never giving up. Be the embodiment of strength and resilience, and watch your masculinity shine through.
Taking Action in the Face of Fear
Fear is a powerful emotion that can often deter us from reaching our full potential. Sometimes, the most masculine thing you can do is to face your fears head-on. So, let’s dive into actionable ways to take on fear and emerge victorious.
- Identify your fears: You can’t conquer what you don’t understand. Make a list of your fears and explore their roots. This process can reveal that most fears are irrational or based on past experiences.
- Start small: You don’t have to dive into the deep end immediately. Take baby steps to overcome your fears gradually. If you’re afraid of public speaking, start by speaking in front of a small group of friends or family.
- Use fear to your advantage: Fear often brings heightened awareness and adrenaline. Rather than letting it paralyze you, use it as fuel to perform better and hone your instincts.
- Seek professional help: If your fears are overwhelming and debilitating, therapy can be a very effective tool. Professionals can provide strategies and techniques to manage and overcome your fears.
The journey to becoming more masculine isn’t about being fearless but about taking action despite your fears. You can turn fear into your ally rather than your enemy.
Skills every man should know
In addition to embracing your masculine traits and developing a masculine mindset, there are essential skills every man should know to become more self-reliant and capable.
These skills include basic home repairs, financial management, and even cooking. By mastering these skills, you’ll become more independent and demonstrate your competence and resourcefulness to others.
Handyman Skills
Every man should know some basic home repair skills. It not only saves you money but also boosts your self-confidence and independence. Here are a few to start with:
- Fixing a leaky faucet: This is a common issue in many homes. Knowing how to fix it can save you some bucks and needless calls to a plumber.
- Unclogging a drain: A clogged drain can be a real nuisance. In this situation, a plunger, a plumber’s snake, or a hand auger can be your best friends.
- Painting a room: Whether you’re sprucing up your space or covering up scuffs and scratches, knowing how to paint a room is useful.
High-Income Skills
The internet has opened up a vast sea of opportunities for making money. Here are a few high-income skills that you can learn and leverage online:
- Coding: Whether building websites or creating apps, coding is a sought-after skill that can earn you a good income.
- Digital Marketing: From SEO to social media advertising, digital marketing skills are in high demand in today’s online-centric world.
- Copywriting: If you have a way with words, copywriting can be lucrative. It involves writing persuasive content to drive sales or actions.
Not only will these skills enhance your self-confidence, but they can also make you more self-reliant and competent.
Mastering Manliness Is Your Own Personal Journey
In conclusion, embracing masculinity isn’t about showcasing dominance or suppressing emotions but rather about embodying confidence, resilience, and respect for oneself and others as a man of value.
True masculinity is about breaking stereotypes, not adhering to them. It’s about being authentic, staying true to your values, and respecting others.
- Fitness, grooming, and style are about improving physical appearance and boosting self-esteem and confidence.
- Building emotional strength is crucial. It’s okay to be vulnerable and seek help amongst brothers with the same vision. That’s the real strength.
Understanding and navigating societal expectations are essential, but at the end of the day, your authenticity matters the most.
How you define your masculinity is your journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I increase my masculinity?
Acknowledge where you need to grow, start opening up and listening to learn, look within to find your truth, and push past any resistance to asking for help – these are key steps to increasing your masculinity.
It can be difficult to take these steps, but they are essential for growth. Taking the time to reflect on your own masculinity and how it affects your life can be a powerful tool for self-improvement.
By understanding your own masculinity, you can better understand how it affects your relationships.
How can I develop physical strength?
Regular exercise, weightlifting, and sports can help you build physical strength. Try to make it a regular part of your routine for the best results.
What are some strategies for enhancing emotional intelligence?
Develop self-awareness and self-management, practice empathy and active listening, and build meaningful connections with others to enhance your emotional intelligence.
How can I improve my communication skills?
Improve your communication skills by practicing active listening, expressing yourself clearly, and resolving conflicts effectively.
Active listening involves paying attention to the speaker, asking questions, and providing feedback. Expressing yourself clearly involves using language that is easy to understand and avoiding jargon. Resolving conflicts.
How can I overcome challenges and adversity?
By facing adversity head-on, learning from our mistakes and taking action, even when we feel scared, we can effectively conquer any challenge.
Chris
Chief Editor & Growth Expert