Gentlemen, 

We live at a time where strong men of intelligence, excellence, and moral virtue are needed more than ever.

There are threats without and within. We live in unique times.

Here are my CHALLENGES to all of us men. Carefully consider: 

♦ You have a profound purpose in this world, endowed by your Creator. The world needs you. Understand your “macro” purpose, as well as your “micro” purpose, and live daily from these foundations.

♦ In addition to your purpose, you have roles to fulfill. When you’re not sufficiently fulfilling them, your “world” suffers in some way–in small ways at first, building negative momentum as you continue to underfunction in those roles. Level-up as needed.

♦ While women are awesome and extremely valuable in all of who they are and all of what they do, they are never able to replace men, regardless of what society says. ONLY men can do what men can do as well as men can do it. Don’t abdicate your responsibility as a man so that a woman has to try to fill the gap you’ve created. She can’t fully do it, nor should she.

♦ You’re part of an honorable lineage, as a man, that’s built every great society ever to exist. You’re needed to continue building, especially where there has been destruction (ironically, often by men as well). Contribute and do your part.

♦ If you’re married with kids, that’s your primary responsibility. Build your marriage and family. Lean into being a father who is present and engaged. And it’s not only QUALITY time that’s needed from you, it’s QUANTITY time. Quality time can never make up for a lack of quantity time. Put in the reps.

♦ If you’re married, put in the work to stay married. You can’t control if your wife leaves (70-80% of all divorces are executed by women), but you CAN control if you’re going to be a great husband. Be one.

♦ Speaking of divorce, don’t do it if you have kids. You’ll likely traumatize them. No one talks about this because divorce is normalized and minimized. And, I do realize there are exceptions for divorce, and hard cases, though a lot fewer than society tells you. Just sayin’. Avoid it if you can. Be the leader your family needs.

♦ Practice courage daily. Lean into your fear and keep moving forward in spite of it.

♦ Take risks, be willing to make mistakes. Fail often, and keep learning.

♦ Take 100% responsibility for your life at all times. Never be a victim.

♦ Nurture and develop, by daily intentional practice, classical virtuous excellence and strength of character. Practicing the 4 classics of prudence (wisdom), justice, fortitude (courage), and temperance are a great start.

♦ Practice chivalry. If it’s rebuffed, smile and keep it moving.

♦ Pursue physical strength and a vibrant spirit. A strong body matters.

♦ Build your mental strength. Learn to think. Develop grit. Practice common sense, logic, and rational thinking. Don’t be so easily offended. Grow thicker skin if necessary.

♦ Control your spirit and manage your emotions. An out-of-control man is a weak man, at least in that moment.

♦ Build your resilience by doing hard things on purpose.

♦ Fulfill your role as a protector. Protect the vulnerable, the “widow and the orphan,” as the Bible says. Stand in the gap between danger and the vulnerable.

♦ Learn to navigate life transitions. You’ll have many of them.

♦ Life is hard. Practice endurance. Expand your capacity for difficulty.

♦ Stand up for truth, and be willing to stand alone.

♦ Fix problems fast.

♦ Make time for yourself. Recharge your battery every day.

♦ Get enough rest.

♦ Eat like an adult (most of the time).

♦ Go for a walk everyday. Build up to a minimum of 30 minutes.

♦ If you need support, get it. No shame. Talk it out with a trusted friend. If necessary, talk to a clergyman or a professional. Talk to a mentor or a coach. Don’t blow your life up by stuffing all your stress and worry.

♦ Live by a life-affirming, truth-fulfilling, virtuous code of conduct. If you don’t have one, get one.