How to Be More Masculine – 10 Practical Steps to Do Today

Since you are here, the chances are, you’re not sure how to be more masculine.

It can be hard to feel like a man when you don’t know what that means — for you.

Being masculine is all about embracing your strength, your power, and doing things on your own terms. However, it’s also important not to forget the lighter, softer side of manhood. It plays an important role as well!

Now, there aren’t universal rules that will make you more masculine, but some traits and behavior definitely contribute to your inner feeling of masculinity.

Let’s discover what they are!

How to Be More Masculine – What Does It Even Mean?

Let’s face it:

Most of the articles or videos you have come across that cover the topic of masculinity throw around words like alpha, beast, and other similar nonsense.

They all seem to try very hard to explain one thing: an ideal man is an existing, designed mold that we all have to fit into it if we were ever to discover our true masculinity.

This couldn’t be further for truth!

Forget trying to chase this made-up persona who people define as the real man. Being masculine can mean a lot of things, among which is being a man who is:

confident and has a positive outlook on life;
caring, strives to help others and contribute to society;
decisive, stands his ground, and has a set of core beliefs and values;
ambitious, hard-working, and with a sense of purpose;
honest and just;
a true role model for men around him.

At the end of the day, you define your sense of masculinity by picturing your ideal self — a version of yourself that you want to become in the future. You should direct each step you take in life starting from today toward actually becoming that person!

With that in mind, we have put together a list of helpful, actionable tips which can apply to almost any man out there. They will help you define what being masculine means for you and guide you to achieve that inner sense of self-worth to brighten up any room you enter.

Let’s begin with our number one:

#1 – Work on Your Self-Confidence

You need to learn how to believe in yourself and feel comfortable in your own skin. Easier said than done!

Still, most of your goals will be decided by your ability to be confident and, often, not care what people think about the decisions that you make. Whether it’s going out with your friends or striving for a promotion at work, you’ll be happier if you’re doing what makes YOU feel good.

What can you do today?

Becoming a confident person is not an easy feat, and it will take time and a lot of work. However, all journeys begin with a simple first step, and yours can be this:

Develop confident body language.

Simple changes in your posture can completely alter the way people perceive you and how you feel about yourself. The best thing about it is that you can implement the changes right away!

So, your first set of tasks is:

Stand up tall. Pull your shoulders back, lift your chest and chin up.
Take up a slightly wider stance than you usually would.
Put your hands out of your pockets and stop fidgeting.
Look people in the eye when you are talking to them.
Walk slower and try to feel grounded.

#2 – Be Disciplined and Organized

One of the most stereotypically masculine traits is being disciplined and organized. It’s all about keeping your life in order, no matter how messy it gets!

Being well-organized will do quite a few things for you:

it’ll make you more efficient and productive;
it’ll allow you to do so much more and reach your wildest goals;
it’ll make it easier to manage your money too;
it’ll enable you to have more free time;
it’ll allow you to have a clean and tidy home which is always nice!

What can you do today?

Hearing all the benefits of discipline is nice. However, what can you do to start improving today?

Start journaling using our 5-minute method.

It doesn’t have to be complicated, and it will only take 5 minutes of your day (hence the name).

We recommend doing this every single day, no matter what. Set aside 5 minutes of your day in the early morning and make it a habit, just like brushing your teeth.

Here is how it goes:

Spend one minute writing out five things you are grateful for today.
Spend one minute writing about your current mental state and feelings. Don’t judge yourself; just observe and write it down.
Spend two minutes planning out the day in front of you. Quickly write the most important things you need to do today to bring you closer to your goals.
Spend one minute prioritizing the goals for the day. What needs to be done first?

Over time, you can increase the time for journaling as an important activity in your daily schedule. However, this is enough to get you started!

#3 – Be a Good Listener

Being masculine means being a good listener.

It goes without saying that being masculine means being a good person. Being kind, thoughtful, and empathetic are all important components of masculinity.

As well as just being a nice person in general, it’s also about having the ability to listen to what other people are saying and then responding in an honest, thoughtful way.

Being a good listener shows that you’re caring and empathetic. It also means you can learn more about yourself because you will understand other people’s points of view.

Listening is an integral part of communication, so it should never be underestimated.

What can you do today?

As with most other things, you can’t become a good listener overnight. But today, you can:

Ask a thoughtful question in your next conversation.

Listening is all about paying attention to the other person and showing that you care. There is no better way to do this than ask questions that show you are invested in the conversation.

So, next time you are talking with someone, try to really hear what they have to say. Then, do your best to come up with an interesting question and watch them light with joy upon realizing you are there for them!

#4 – Have a Good Work Ethic

We often associate masculinity with success in your career, and there is some truth to it. Achieving your professional goals is all about the work ethic.

Being masculine means working hard to get where you want to be!

If it’s your dream job or an ambitious side hustle, you won’t find it easy – so make sure you’re putting 100% effort into your work to get noticed.

This means working hard in your spare time too. Even if it doesn’t always pay off, you can still gain valuable experiences by giving it your best.

If you put the effort in, you’ll feel better about what you’ve achieved, and any future obstacles will seem easier to overcome!

What can you do today?

Here is a straightforward goal that could get your creative juices flowing:

Come up with an idea for a side hustle.

Whether you have an entrepreneurial mindset or not, a side hustle can be a great way to bring some extra income on the side. Also, who knows – you might discover that you have what it takes to build up your own successful business!

Here are a few great resources to get you started:

50 Profitable Side Hustle Ideas (by Entrepreneur.com)
100+ Side Hustle Ideas (by SideHustleNation.com)
19 Reasons to Start Your Own Business Today (by Foundr.com)

#5 – Be More Decisive & Stand Up for Yourself

Being decisive is all about knowing what you want and not being afraid to turn great opportunities down.

Don’t make commitments you can’t keep, and don’t change your mind constantly about everything.

If someone asks you if you want to do something with them, be straightforward with your answer. It’s ok to say no, and it’s even better if you’re honest when explaining why. Being decisive is all about making the right choice at the right time.

What can you do today?

Well, this one is easy:

Make a decision, no matter how small.

The more decisions you make, the easier it will be! Decision-making is a skill like any other, and you can start practicing it right away.

It can be as small as deciding which drink to order at a restaurant. The important thing is that you make a firm decision and stand behind it.

#6 – Think Before You Speak

One of the biggest complaints women have during first dates is when a man doesn’t know when to shut up.

Being a man means thinking before you speak and having confidence in what you’re saying. Think carefully about how your words might come across, and always remember that less is more!

We are not saying you should pretend to be the silent, grumpy bodyguard that stares ahead and doesn’t talk at all. Instead, we suggest you put more thought into your words and realize that what you say matters.

What can you do today?

You can start developing another simple habit:

Count to 3 before you speak.

Starting from today, each time you find yourself engaging in a conversation, quickly count to three in your head before you respond. Take time to recollect your thoughts and formulate your words properly.

And don’t worry, you won’t have to do this forever! It is just a valuable tool to help you start paying more attention to what you are saying.

#7 – Be a Man of Your Word

Personal integrity is an essential element of every confident individual. Being a man means being honest and trustworthy, even when it’s difficult.

Don’t make promises that you can’t fulfill, don’t go back on your word, and always do what you say you will.

It’s ok to change your mind sometimes, but if you don’t think it through properly and communicate with others, it can be seen as untrustworthy. If you want people to respect what you say and notice your opinion, you need to show them that they can believe what you say!

What can you do today?

Another vital part of being a man of your word is staying honest with yourself! So, how to be more masculine today?

Keep a promise you made to yourself.

Did you say you will go to the gym today? Go and smash that workout!

Did you say you are quitting junk food? No more starting right now!

The most overlooked part of building confidence and integrity is the ability to trust yourself. If you discard every goal you set out and break every promise you make to yourself, will you ever be able to trust yourself? Will other people?

#8 – Step Outside Of Your Comfort Zone

You don’t need to climb Mount Everest, but being adventurous and willing to step outside of your comfort zone is definitely a masculine trait.

You’ll never know what you can achieve if you don’t make an effort to go beyond your limits!

This could be as simple for some men as traveling to a new place that they’ve never been before. For others, it might mean getting involved with a different social group.

Whatever you decide to do, trying something new is an excellent way of growing and learning more about yourself. It’s all part of the journey of life!

What can you do today?

Some of the tasks we have given you may be challenging. This one could be that as well, but it is also exhilarating:

Do something that you have never done before.

Here are a few ideas:

Try a new cuisine.
Listen to a new music genre.
Try a new hobby, even a weird one!
Play an instrument you have always wanted to learn.

The sky is the limit here, so be bold and creative!

#9 – Dress Well Without Trying Too Hard

Dressing well doesn’t mean wearing clothes that are uncomfortable and impractical. But it does mean giving yourself a bit of an upgrade!

You don’t need to spend a fortune, but be willing to invest in a nice pair of pants or shoes that you feel good wearing.

Dress to impress, but also feel comfortable in your skin. Nothing beats the confidence boost you get when you know you look like you could take on the world.

What can you do today?

Before you can start updating your wardrobe and changing how you dress, you need to figure out what you like. It all begins with some exploration:

Find five outfits for men that you find impressive.

Browse the web for masculine outfits or dressing styles that leave a long-lasting impression on you. Find those that fit your style and that you would be proud to wear. You can even create a Pinterest board!

This brief research will help you figure out what you want to wear, and then all that is left is to go out and get it!

Here are a few helpful resources:

Clothing Section on RealMenRealStyle.com
Get Style on ArtOfManliness.com
EffortlessGent.com

#10 – Embrace All Sides of Your Masculinity

You probably know that being a man isn’t about being tough and insensitive, nor does it mean you should be loud or rude.

Being masculine is about being true to yourself and not caring what other people think. If you’re a guy who likes watching ballet, embrace your masculinity and be the most dedicated male ballet fan out there!

It will help you radiate confidence, and, more often than not, people will accept that it is who you are and will love you for it!

There’s nothing wrong with being who you are, and it doesn’t matter what other people think. You can be masculine in an assortment of different ways!

What can you do today?

Embracing your masculinity sounds like quite a task, and it includes doing many things.

However, we are all about action here at Witty Companion. We still need to find out and implement simple steps to make progress.

Your final task for the day is:

Accept and embrace one weird thing about yourself.

Whether it is a weird interest, a “feminine” hobby, or a unique sense of humor, you need to look yourself in the mirror and say that it is who you are.

Being a man is about taking responsibility and understanding what you want from life. It’s not always easy, but it’s important to remain true to yourself and focus on the long-term.

Being masculine also means knowing who you are and living your life in a way that you’re proud of. Accept and embrace yourself as a whole, and other people will too.

Your Turn

Congratulations on reaching the end of our list!

These are just a few suggestions – if you want to embrace your masculinity in your own unique way, then that’s the best approach!

Remember that masculinity is all about being yourself and doing what makes you happy no matter who you are. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks; you know what’s best for you in the end.

Now, let’s hear it from you:

Which of the advice above did you find the most useful and why?

Let us know by leaving a comment down below!