By 
We all know that trying to become a better person can be tough.
It’s a journey where we need to keep improving, learning, and working on ourselves.
But it’s a journey that’s also really rewarding, especially when you begin to see yourself becoming the man you’ve always wanted to be.
In this article, we’re going to talk about 10 habits you can start doing today.
These habits will help you become a better man in five years.
It’s not about being perfect – nobody is. It’s about trying to become the best version of yourself.
1. Embrace Self-Learning
The first habit to adopt is self-learning.
No, this doesn’t mean you need to bury your nose in a bunch of textbooks (unless you want to, of course!).
It’s about becoming curious about the world around you and taking the initiative to learn new things.
This could be anything from learning how to play a musical instrument, picking up a new language or understanding how your favorite gadget works.
Why is this important?
Well, self-learning keeps your brain active and agile. It helps you become more creative, adaptable, and knowledgeable – all traits of a better man.
Plus, it’s a great conversation starter.
So, start today by identifying one thing you’ve always wanted to learn and dedicate at least 15 minutes each day to it.
Remember, the goal isn’t to become an expert overnight but to embrace the process of learning and growing.
In five years, you’ll be amazed by how much you’ve learned and grown.
2. Stay Physically Active
Our next habit might seem obvious, but it’s so important that it needs repeating: stay physically active.
This isn’t just about hitting the gym and getting ripped (although that’s a bonus). It’s about keeping your body healthy and your mind sharp.
Physical activity boosts your mood, improves your energy levels, and even enhances your cognitive functions.
Whether it’s going for a quick run in the morning, joining a local sports team, or just taking a walk in the park during your lunch break, every bit of movement counts.
Start small if you need to. The key is consistency. Make it your goal to do some form of physical activity every day, no matter how minor it seems.
In five years, not only will your health be thanking you, but you’ll also look and feel like a better man.
3. Develop Emotional Intelligence
When I was younger, I often found it difficult to understand my emotions and the feelings of those around me.
I didn’t realize it at the time, but this was holding me back in so many ways—from my relationships to my work life.
Emotional intelligence is all about being aware of and controlling our emotions and understanding the emotions of others.
It’s what allows us to empathize, manage stress, communicate effectively, overcome challenges, and defuse conflicts.
So how can you work on this?
For me, it started with mindfulness meditation. I took 10 minutes out of my day to sit quietly, focus on my breathing and just be present with myself.
This simple practice helped me become more aware of my emotions instead of being ruled by them.
I also read up on emotional intelligence and started to apply what I learned in my daily interactions.
Things, like actively listening to others, paying attention to body language, and responding rather than reacting, became important tools for me.
4. Build Strong Relationships
Being a better man isn’t just about self-improvement; it’s also about how we relate to others.
In fact a Harvard study, which is considered one of the longest studies on adult life, found that more than money or fame, it’s the quality of our relationships that contribute most to our happiness.
Building strong relationships means learning to communicate effectively, being reliable, showing empathy, and respecting boundaries.
This applies to all relationships – be it with your family, friends, colleagues, or romantic partners.
Start today by reaching out to someone you haven’t spoken to in a while. Ask them how they’re doing and show genuine interest in their response.
Every great relationship is built on small, consistent acts of kindness and understanding.
In five years, you’ll have a circle of people who respect and value you for the better man you’ve become.
5. Practice Gratitude
Gratitude is about looking at what you have rather than what you lack.
It’s about focusing on the positives in your life and acknowledging them.
Gratitude has a profound impact on our mental well-being.
It reduces stress, improves sleep, and makes us happier overall.
More than that, it shifts our perspective and helps us appreciate the beauty in everyday life.
Now, practicing gratitude doesn’t mean ignoring the negatives or pretending everything is perfect—it’s about finding balance.
It’s recognizing that even in tough times, there are things to be thankful for.
You can start by keeping a gratitude journal. Write down three things you’re grateful for every day.
They don’t have to be grand. It could be something as simple as a good meal, a funny joke you heard, or the warmth of the sun on your face.
This heartfelt habit may feel strange at first, but keep at it. Over time, you’ll find yourself becoming more optimistic and content.
6. Serve Others
Now, when I say “serving others,” I don’t necessarily mean joining a charity or doing grand gestures (although those are great too!).
Serving others can be as simple as helping a coworker with a tough project, lending a listening ear to a friend in need, or even just giving up your seat on the bus for someone else.
I remember this one time when I was at the grocery store and noticed an elderly lady struggling to reach an item from the top shelf.
I offered to help her and the gratitude in her eyes was priceless. It was such a small act, yet it made a significant difference in her day—and mine.
Serving others teaches us humility, compassion, and kindness. It reminds us that we’re all interconnected and that we have the power to make someone’s day a little bit better with our actions.
7. Accept and Learn from Mistakes
Mistakes – we all make them, and frankly, they can suck.
But instead of beating yourself up over them or trying to sweep them under the rug, it’s time to start owning them.
See, mistakes are not a sign of failure; they’re a sign that you’re trying, growing, and learning.
Nobody expects you to be perfect, and it’s high time you stop expecting that from yourself too.
When you screw up (and trust me, you will), take a deep breath, accept it, and ask yourself: “What can I learn from this?”
Maybe you made a blunder at work – it teaches you to be more careful next time.
Maybe you said something hurtful in a heated moment – it reminds you to control your temper.
Every mistake is an opportunity to learn something new about yourself and how you can do better.
The truth is, we are all works in progress.
In five years, you’ll look back at these mistakes not with regret but with appreciation for the lessons they taught you and the better man they helped you become.
8. Cultivate Patience
We live in a world where we’re used to getting everything instantly; from fast food to same-day deliveries, we often forget the value of patience.
Patience allows you to endure hardships, work towards long-term goals, and deal with challenges in a more composed manner.
It’s not about passively waiting; it’s about actively maintaining a positive attitude while waiting.
Start practicing patience today by consciously slowing down, whether that’s taking the time to enjoy your meal instead of rushing through it or choosing to remain calm when stuck in traffic.
Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Similarly, the journey to becoming a better man takes time but is well worth the wait.
9. Value Honesty
Being honest isn’t always the easy route. I’ve had moments where it felt more convenient to tell a little white lie or to hide something uncomfortable about myself.
But over time, I’ve realized that honesty is the foundation of trust and respect, both towards others and towards ourselves.
Being honest means speaking the truth even when it’s uncomfortable, owning up to your mistakes instead of covering them up, and being true to your values even when no one is watching.
But honesty isn’t about being brutally blunt. It’s about communicating the truth in a respectful and considerate manner.
Start today by being more conscious of your honesty. If you catch yourself in a lie, correct it. If you’re hiding something out of fear or embarrassment, find the courage to open up about it.
In five years, you’ll look back and see a man who’s not only respected by others for his honesty but who also respects himself for staying true to his values.
10. Take Responsibility
This isn’t about shouldering all the world’s problems; it’s about acknowledging that you are the primary architect of your life.
You see, it’s easy to blame circumstances, other people, or just plain bad luck for where we are in life. But the raw, honest truth is that our choices play a huge role in shaping our reality.
Accepting responsibility for those choices, good or bad, is a crucial step towards becoming a better man.
Taking responsibility means recognizing that your actions have consequences and owning up to them.
It means apologizing when you’re wrong, making amends when you’ve hurt someone, and working to improve when you’ve messed up.
This might feel heavy and daunting at first, but I promise you, it’s liberating. It puts you in the driver’s seat of your life and empowers you to change what isn’t working.
So start today. Take a hard look at your life and ask yourself: “Where can I take more responsibility?”
In five years, you’ll look back and see a man who’s not only matured but has also taken control of his life and steered it towards becoming better.
Just remember guys, becoming a better man is a journey, not a destination. It’s about progress, not perfection.
So cut yourself some slack, celebrate your wins no matter how small they seem, and most importantly, enjoy the ride.
