Respect. One word that captures one of the defining qualities of what it means to be a man. Every man wants to be respected. This is an innate quality in all of us, similar to all women wanting to be beautiful. Both are needs, but not many men or women are truly respected, just as we know most women are not beautiful. Why is this?
The simple answer is that most men live average lives, work an average job, make average wages, fuck average women and are buried at the end with a handful of funeral attendees.
To quote the fictional character of Don Draper from the superb television show MadMen, “You want some respect? Go out and get it for yourself”.
This is not only a classic quote, but is the hard truth. See, in our current day there’s an issue with people (especially youth) of entitlement.
- “I want to be famous!” (What have you done to be celebrated for?)
- “I want to be rich!” (Is sleeping in everyday going to help you with that goal?)
- “I deserve to date the quarterback of my high school!” (No bitch you don’t. Start with a treadmill.)
- “I don’t want to work hard to be successful. It shouldn’t be this hard!” (Listen you ungrateful spoiled brat: If you’re afraid of hard work, then you don’t deserve success)
If you haven’t heard one of these statements made, then I’m sure you’ve heard something similar.
People today, feel entitled to success that they don’t deserve.
As men in our quest to be respected we must examine what it is about each of our respective lives that commands true respect. Obviously, everyone’s life has worth and a modicum of respect is due to an individual as long as they don’t give reason to not respect them. However, what can a man do to get respect above the threshold?
Here’s a few tips to building a life that commands real authentic respect.
5. Respect Yourself
If you don’t have discipline, look down at yourself, have an inferiority complex and are full of self-doubt, then don’t be surprised when your fellow peers don’t respect you. Respecting yourself is the first step to the foundation of building respect. Start recognizing your strengths and make yourself into the best man you can be. As you go through this process, you’ll find that other’s will respect you more.
4. Every Man Should Build Something
For whatever reason, building something from the ground up does something to a man’s character. Maybe it’s the hard work, the courage to risk it all, or the feeling of accomplishment against great odds, but whatever the exact reasons are, building a business, or becoming great at something, helps you not only respect yourself, but get respect from your fellow man.
Regardless of your personal opinions of Mark Zuckerberg, Donald Trump, or Ted Turner, they are respected for building businesses. Sure, Donald had a great head start, but he didn’t rest on his laurels and live his life as a trust fund kid. He used it to build an empire. Mark, although I personally detest Facebook, built something from nothing and became a billionaire because of it.
3. Don’t Be A Doormat
Nothing makes me lose respect for a man quicker than a man who allows himself to be a doormat. Stand up for yourself, don’t be shit on and have an opinion. This doesn’t mean that you have to be a loud mouth opinionated fool, but it does mean that you should have a damn backbone. Men who stand tall and stand for something are respected men. You may not like them, but you respect them. I would rather be respected than liked. The difference between wanting your peers respect and wanting to be liked is a huge. Wanting respect will drive you to become your best. Wanting to be liked is what women do. Know the difference.
2. Learn To Handle Women
Men who have learned how to handle women are respected men. Why? Because we all know how damn hard it is to become great with women. If you do this for yourself, then not only will you have a grip on an aspect of life that most men do not, but you’ll also gain the respect of your peers. This doesn’t mean you’re sending them naked pics of your latest conquests and hoping for your ego stroked, but instead become a man that others can count on to get solid advice about women from. Think more the Godfather and less American Pie.
1. Follow Your Passion
You have a passion. If you don’t, than examine your life and find out what it is that you can’t live without and that you want to become great at. Any man who is at the top of their respective field is respected. Remember respect is earned, not deserved, so decide today to build a life that you respect yourself and watch your peers start respecting you.
Honestly, as a youth did you dream about working an average job and banging average girls? Go here.
Read More: 4 Steps That Help Build Your Confidence
