10 GROUND RULES FOR MEN
There are some universal truths that all men must be aware of. I call them the 10 Ground Rules for men. In this list, I walk through them all. This is the dos and don’ts to be a good, masculine man in today’s USA.
1. Be loyal to those loyal to you.
This Ground Rule can apply to friends, family, brands, politicians, and jobs. Always weigh in your mind how the other party may feel about you. Make sure there is a mutual respect and understanding between you both. If I am truly loyal to my spouse, I expect her to be loyal to me. This is critical to how we interact with each other. If my friend betrays my trust by lying to me, I will react accordingly by not relying on my friend for the truth. My loyalty for my friend is damaged. Keep the proper perspective when giving your trust to another person.
2. Be peaceable with everyone as far as it depends on you.
Do your absolute best not to start fights, arguments, or drama with others. That’s all this rule means. Others may start fights with you that will cause a reaction from you. Protect yourself vehemently. I am all about finishing what other start. However, adhere to this Ground Rule by trying your best to avoid violence if you can help it.
3. Be courteous.
I love manners. Open doors for woman, hold elevators doors open, let ladies walk in first, speak respectfully around elders, assist people in need, let pedestrians walk across crosswalks, greet people when you walk in, and smile. All these display home training. This Ground Rule allows others to respect you before you even say a word. Always be respectable and respectful.
4. Cleanliness is next to godliness.
Always be clean and presentable. This rule is so underrated. Good hygiene gives you self-confidence and lets others know you are mature enough to take self-care seriously. Wash your body, brush your teeth, floss your teeth, apply lotion, apply deodorant, trim your nails, cut your hair, brush your hair, dress in clean clothes, and apply cologne. The cleanliness of your person is respectable.
In addition, keep a clean, living space. Your living area reflects your current state of mind. You can reduce stress and anxiety by having a tidy living space. Clean up clutter, wipe counters, clean dishes, light or plugin fragrances, vacuum floors, and take off shoes before walking on the carpet. These are just a few ways I try to keep a clean body and environment.
5. Have pride of craftsmanship
Pride of craftsmanship is the desire of doing an excellent job for the sake of doing an excellent job. I want to do a fantastic job because my name is attached to it. Therefore, no matter what I find myself doing I do my best. Anyone can respect an honest effort. I can respect myself when I know I gave it my all. I do not feel fulfilled when I know I left room to do better. I have a bit of a competitive nature when completing tasks even against myself. Take pride in doing a thing very well.
6. Aspire for something greater than yourself.
This is a key for anyone that is feeling unfulfilled. A man feels best when he is chasing after something greater than himself. Women and family often give men this feeling of drive and ambition. Having to take care of others or maintain a lifestyle is a great mission that gives a man purpose beyond himself. Unfortunately, the happiness of a woman is fleeting, and relationships can change. Men should be working to goals and aspirations beyond himself or other individuals. Think about how your actions will impact people, places, and things in the future. Create plans to achieve goals with farther time horizons.
7. Follow One Course Until Successful!
Focus. This is one of the most difficult things to do right now. Our society is built on hyper-information and entertainment. The ability to home in on one singular thing can set you up to leap in front of the competition. Most of us cannot focus long enough to see our dreams come to fruition. If you have many options in front of you, choose one path that makes the most sense to you. Explore that path by doing research and creating a vision of the potential outlook or result. Do it until you can say to yourself that you gave it your all. Based on that information decide whether you want to continue down that path or change course. Changing course can be a remarkable thing. The original path may not fit you, however you can walk away with confidence knowing you tried and gained a wealth of knowledge.
8. Never desire to be with someone that does not desire to be with you.
Save yourself heart ache and stress by setting a standard. Do not chase after anything or anyone that does not want you around. There are groups, businesses, and organizations that may not appreciate who you are or what you bring to the table. Instead of shaming yourself for not being included in their ranks, take pride in yourself by recognizing your worth. Understand that anyone that does not see your worth does not deserve your presence. This goes for relationships as well. Give distance to people that take your presence for granted.
9. Value knowledge.
There is one thing that no one can take from you. That is knowledge. The experiences we go through cost us time, energy, and money. The knowledge and memories we get in return are priceless. For this Ground Rule, you should value this gift: to be able to walk away from any situation with more understanding than when you began. It is the understanding and knowledge that you take with you into the next situation. The man with the understanding has the keys. He has the answers. I can speak on the issues I address within these blog posts because of the amount of experience I have in life. All my difficulties have prepared me to be able to write. I have been through enough to have foresight to give to the young man walking behind me. Value this in the men that came before you. Value this in yourself as you develop this story you call your life.
10. Always keep money.
As simple as this Ground Rule my seem, keeping your financial accounts in order will be key to your well-being. Why? Because money is “value” to us in today’s world. The more you have the better you will feel. You will feel more valuable the more money you accumulate. The truth is you are valuable without money. Your integrity, good character, loyalty, work ethic, and respect make you valuable. Unfortunately, money is how we have been trained to think about value. Therefore, society will also judge you based on financial status. Do yourself a favor and keep some money. Prioritize learning financial literacy. Buy smart, save, invest, and reinvest. You will feel better about yourself.
A good place to start: https://www.investopedia.com and Earn Your Leisure
As a bonus to this last Ground Rule, I advise you to prioritize having your own before settling down with a woman. Work for your own car and rent or buy a home with your own money. There is something great about experiencing your own space and freedom at least once in life. You may harbor resentment toward your significant other if you move too fast without experiencing that freedom. Also, romantic life is a bit easier when two people that have their respective “ducks in a row” come together.
Good Luck. I hope this information helps. Please reach out using my contact page if you have questions, comments, or suggestions.
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