I've seen a few posts here today, asking for advice on how to be "alpha". Please note: all of these characteristics are subjective, and is not the only way to be alpha. But by my opinion a good place to start.

NOTE: If this isn't RP Theory, then what the fuck am I doing here? Most of this stuff I've written here are a cross between what I've learned through required reading from this sub, as well as stuff I've picked up from seduction forums and a few books by Neil Strauss, ArtofManliness.com, and personal experience with people. Just some things I figured would be important to know when changing up your lifestyle towards self improvement. Isn't that what this is about? I thought I was just simplifying what was being taught to members here. One's definition of "alpha" will always be different, I figured being general enough would help people understand. Once again, I have to remain skeptical of the community here.

To start, let me use Mystery's "Six Characteristics of the Alpha Male"

1) Smile. A lot. - Smile when you enter a room, join a party, come home from work, just fucking smile. Take a look in the mirror when you smile. Pretend you're posing for a picture. Just smile.

2) Be well groomed - Starting with the obvious, shower, brush your teeth, floss, comb your hair, shave every day, have a decent wardrobe. I recommend /r/malegrooming and /r/malefashionadvice, they have some good stuff on the subject. Use this as a starting point and find your own style and method from there.

3) Have a good sense of humor - For some it comes naturally, others have no idea where to begin. Look up "cocky-funny" on Google and getting some idea of the basics there. I recommend reading a shit ton of Spider-man comics (Best example of cocky-funny humor I've ever encountered.), Tarantino movies & screenplays, Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man. All these are recommendations that I found most helpful are also subjective, be sure to form your own unique sense of humor. Nobody likes an unoriginal comedian, let alone an alpha.

4) Connect with people - I think the best way to understand this is to read "How to Win Friends and Influence People" and "The 48 Laws of Power". Maybe study up a bit on body language, currently an endeavor that I'm looking into. Despite what the next tip will say, you don't have to be the loudest and have an audience everywhere you go. I've found success being far more subtle, by observing and asking questions. People love to talk about themselves and other people. Be sincere and genuinely interested in people, remember their first name, look them in the eye, and have a good strong handshake. I think I could go on and on about this one, I'd to do a full post on this if anyone is interested in reading. Otherwise, don't be the "alpha" by appearance and act like you have to be the center of attention. You don't, but you should be able to command attention when you need to. Emphasize NEED.

5) Be the social center of the room - This is a pickup term used for sets, i.e. when you enter a room/club/bar your obey the 3 second rule and engage the first group you see. Be exciting, and interesting, and above all don't isolate anyone but the target. As I said before, don't worry about being the center of attention unless you want to be, that I believe is a mark of an alpha.

6) Confidence - I think this one is a given. But to elaborate a bit more, /r/howtonotgiveafuck is a good place to start with confidence. In the end, most of us with the lack-there-of often worry about what others may think. And I found it best to understand that others are far to worried about themselves to really care about what kind of person you are. And in my experience, only those who are the least secure with themselves will point out your own flaws. To which you dodge with a light-hearted cocky-funny statement, and just not give a fuck. If they are persistent, leave the room and find another group or individual to be around. Someone who's toxic personality you won't have to dodge all night (assuming this is a very social setting). The idea of alpha male's only hanging out with other alphas I believe to be a farce. You hang out with whomever you damn please, so long as their personality compliments your own and you get along without much conflict.

I think there are some other pointers to remember along with all of this:

  • Watch less TV, and read more books. Read about subjects you love, and read about subjects you've always wanted to look into but never had the time. I recommend the "Don't Know Much About" series, as they are good starting points for a select few subjects such as History, Mythology, The Universe, etc.

  • Follow the 7 Minute Workout once per day, 4 days a week. No need for weights, and there's not excuse not to do it. Despite what this sub and /r/becomeaman will tell you, you don't really need a gym. Get your ass into shape and maintain it.

  • Do my 30 Day Facebook Challenge. Disable your Facebook for at least a month, and spend all of that time doing whatever you would have spent those moments of Facebook on. I'm on day 2, so far 2 of my friends have noticed. Networking is for LinkedIn. If you made it the 30 days, do another. And keep going.

  • Quit porn. Quit Jerking off. Use that bent up sexual energy to focus on more important matters in your life. Do this for 30 days as well. Or until you get laid. This is a good way to maintain your own sexual energy, and keep it in check. If you can master the urge to jerk it, you can accomplish anything. /r/NoFap might be a good place to help you start, but frankly you should just do it on a whim and cut yourself off when you're libido least expects it.

  • Set up a daily routine for your weekdays, it will keep you organized and motivated to do whatever needs to be done on each day. Set one goal you should get done by the end of the day and do it.

  • Limit your video games to 1 - 2 hours a day. If that "isn't possible" for you, then you don't belong here. A buddy of mine who is an amazing artist/animator, yet he spends 90% of his free time on Steam and his PS3. I told him if he spent that same amount of time animating instead he would have finished a lot by now. His exact words here "Nah man, video games are my life." Don't be this guy, life isn't kept in a small electronic console. Video games are a luxury, and should be giving in increments as a reward. I'm a writer, I spend 9 hours a day writing. But I look forward to the hour in between, which is my break to relax and play video games. Get into that mindset, everybody plays video games its not that special.

  • Learn new skills. Art of Manliness has a great plethora of projects to try, and skills to look into. Very manly things to try. Make these things a part of your daily routine as a Goal of the Day. Learn some cool DHV skills, like magic tricks or palm reading. Old Stylelife and Mystery Method stuff yes, but I think it comes off more charismatic than just being your ol' alpha self. Just learn individual things that will further you more as a human being and make you unique.

  • And finally, remember to be you. All of these things are simply things you can do to improve yourself and your well-being by changing things up and getting into good shape physically & socially. But at the end of the day, your goals are your goals and you should remember to stick with who you are at your core and not let the idea of being "alpha" or dating chicks get in the way. Life isn't about being alpha, it's about living. Never lose sight of that, and have fun.

EDIT: Lots of typos and misspellings. Forgive me, I wrote this on a whim.

"... the code is more what you'd call "guidelines" than actual rules."

  • Captain Barbosa "Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl"

"The future is whatever you make it, so make it a good one."

  • Doc Brown "Back to the Future: part 3"