Ethan Sterling
Have you ever wondered why some men just can’t seem to catch a break in life no matter how hard they try? I sure have. And it’s not for lack of effort or fortune.
Let’s flip the script and consider this:
What if it’s not about the breaks they aren’t catching, but more about their habits that are setting them up for failure?
The truth is, our habits define us.
They can either propel us towards success or they can drag us down – much like an anchor pulling a ship to the ocean floor.
So, if you’re finding yourself constantly on the back foot, maybe it’s time to take a closer look at your daily routine.
Could it be that you have formed some habits that are hindering your path to success?
In this article, we’ll dive into 7 habits of unsuccessful men who always seem to have tough luck in life.
It’s time to identify these habits, understand them and then make a conscious effort to break free from them.
So, buckle up and let’s get started!
1) They don’t set clear goals
You might be surprised to hear this, but many men who struggle in life do so because they simply don’t set clear goals for themselves.
Sounds too simple, right?
But here’s the thing.
Without a defined destination, you’re like a ship wandering aimlessly in the ocean.
Sure, you might stumble upon a hidden treasure island.
But, chances are, you’ll just keep drifting, getting nowhere in particular.
Successful people, on the other hand, are like GPS-guided missiles.
They know exactly where they’re going, and they have a plan to get there.
In contrast, men who don’t always dealt with hardships in life often lack this clarity.
They have vague aspirations and dreams.
But without setting clear, achievable goals, they remain just that – dreams.
So, if you find yourself in this boat, it’s time to grab the oars and set a definite course.
Define what success looks like for you and chart the path to achieve it.
Remember: A goal without a plan is just a wish.
2) They don’t embrace change
Let me share a story with you.
A few years ago, I had a friend named Mark. He was always complaining about his job, his relationships, and his life in general.
He was stuck in a rut and couldn’t seem to catch a break.
But the thing about Mark was that he hated change.
Even when opportunities for improvement presented themselves, he’d shy away from them.
I remember once when a great job opportunity came up which required him to move to a different city. He had been complaining about his current job for years.
But when it came down to it, he chose to stick with the familiar discomfort rather than embracing the change.
And that’s when I realized:
Unsuccessful men often resist change.
They prefer staying in their comfort zones rather than challenging themselves and adapting to new situations.
Change can be scary, yes.
But it’s also necessary for growth and improvement.
So, if you’re finding yourself stuck in a similar situation as Mark, keep this in mind:
The only way to make progress is to step out of your comfort zone and embrace change.
You might stumble along the way, but that’s how you learn and grow.
3) They repeatedly make poor decisions
We’ve all made poor decisions at some point or another. It’s part of being human, right?
But here’s the bitter pill to swallow.
Some men never seem to learn from these mistakes.
They continue to make poor decisions again and again.
Whether it’s spending every paycheck on unnecessary luxuries while barely scraping by, or neglecting their health for temporary pleasures, these men seem to have a knack for choosing the path of most resistance.
The thing about poor decisions is they compound over time.
A few bad choices here and there might not make a significant impact in the short term.
But when repeated over time, they can snowball into a life filled with hardships and disappointments.
I’m not saying that successful men never make bad decisions.
They do. But they learn from them, adapt, and strive to make better choices in the future.
Unsuccessful men, on the other hand, tend to repeat their mistakes, seemingly trapped in a cycle of poor decision making.
So if you find yourself consistently making choices that lead to more struggles than success, it’s time for some introspection.
Start by acknowledging your mistakes, learn from them, and then make a conscious effort to make better decisions moving forward.
It won’t be easy, but then again, nothing worth having ever is.
4) They’re quick to blame others
Let’s talk about accountability for a moment.
It’s easy to point fingers and blame others when things don’t go your way. I’ve seen it happen time and time again.
I’ve heard men blame their bosses for their career stagnation, their partners for their unhappy relationships, or the economy for their financial struggles.
But here’s a harsh truth: Blaming others is a surefire way to remain unsuccessful.
Why, you ask?
Because by blaming others, you’re shifting the responsibility of your life onto someone else. You’re giving away your power to change and improve your situation.
Wise men, however, take full responsibility for their actions and their lives.
They understand that they are the architects of their destiny.
Yes, external factors can influence your life. But at the end of the day, it’s your decisions and actions that determine your success.
So if you find yourself constantly blaming others for your misfortunes, it’s time to take a step back and reassess.
Start taking responsibility for your life. It might be uncomfortable initially, but it’s the first step towards taking control and turning things around.
5) They lack resilience
Life is a roller coaster ride, filled with highs and lows. But did you know that it’s during the lows that our true character is revealed?
Resilience, or our ability to bounce back from adversities, is a critical trait of successful individuals.
On the other hand, men who seem to be constantly facing hardships in life often lack this quality.
When faced with challenges, they easily crumble and give up.
Instead of viewing obstacles as opportunities for growth, they see them as impassable roadblocks.
But here’s an interesting thing.
A study from the American Psychological Association found that resilience can be developed and strengthened over time, just like a muscle.
So if you find yourself struggling to recover from setbacks, remember this:
It’s not about how many times you fall, but how many times you get back up that truly counts.
Start viewing challenges as stepping stones instead of stumbling blocks.
With time and practice, you’ll build the resilience needed to navigate life’s ups and downs successfully.
6) They neglect self-care
In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life and forget about taking care of ourselves.
I see men pushing themselves to the brink of exhaustion, neglecting their health, and sacrificing sleep in the name of productivity or success.
But here’s something I’ve learned over the years:
True success is not just about wealth or career achievements.
It’s also about maintaining good health, both physically and mentally.
Men who never seem to catch a break often neglect this important aspect of life.
They prioritize everything else over their well-being, and it takes a toll on their overall success.
I want you to know that it’s okay to slow down. It’s okay to take a break when you need it.
Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup.
Taking care of yourself is not selfish; it’s necessary.
So if you’ve been neglecting your well-being, take this as a gentle reminder to start prioritizing self-care.
Your body, mind, and future self will thank you for it.
7) They lack a growth mindset
At the heart of all these habits lies one fundamental trait: the lack of a growth mindset.
You see, unsuccessful men often view their abilities and intelligence as fixed traits.
They believe that they are stuck with what they have, and there’s not much they can do about it.
But the truth is, our brains are incredibly adaptable.
We have the ability to learn, grow, and improve throughout our lives.
By adopting a growth mindset, you open yourself up to endless possibilities.
You start viewing challenges as opportunities to grow, and mistakes as lessons learned.
So if there’s one thing you take away from this article, let it be this: Cultivate a growth mindset.
Believe in your ability to change and grow.
It’s never too late to break old habits and start anew.
And remember, every day is a new opportunity to become a better version of yourself.
The final takeaway
If you find yourself identifying with these habits, don’t despair. It’s not a life sentence.
Remember, awareness is the first step towards change.
Take a moment to reflect on these habits. Are there any that you recognize in yourself?
Don’t beat yourself up if you find a few or even all of them.
This isn’t about blame. It’s about understanding and growth.
Embrace this awareness and use it as a tool for change.
Start by picking one habit to work on.
Small, consistent changes can lead to big transformations over time.
If what you’ve been doing hasn’t been working, it’s time for a change.
Every day is an opportunity for growth and improvement.
You have the power within you to break free from these habits and create a successful life.
The journey may be challenging, but it’s worth it.
After all, the sweetest victories come from the hardest battles!
