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Be true to yourself -

Behave according to your beliefs—do what you think is right. Remember that no matter how hard it gets, you have to remain true to yourself.

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Seek out mentors -

Getting the best out of yourself often requires the help and advice of others. Seek out mentors with proven success in the area(s) you wish to improve.

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Develop personal development -

Make personal development a lifestyle choice. Enriching your own self-awareness provides a sense of direction and a better work-life balance.

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Build self-discipline -

Similarly, self-discipline—emotional discipline and self-control—can help you find motivation and identify obstacles as you pursue your goal.

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Learn how to forgive -

Learning how to forgive is to let go of grudges and bitterness. Being angry all the time only hurts you. Releasing negative emotions unburdens your heart. But don't confuse forgiveness with justice. Any wrongdoing needs to be corrected. But once a misdeed has been addressed, the idea is to harbor no ill intent towards the offender.

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Don't date your buddy's ex-girlfriends -

It's never a good idea to fall for your friend's ex. Even more so if he's still struggling with the breakup. Resist temptation and behave with integrity towards your buddies.

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Travel more -

Get out more! Travel is a great leveler. It makes you happier, and lets you disconnect and recharge. And you don't have to travel far. Seek out anywhere that exposes you to new things.

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Make yourself as attractive as possible -

Make an effort with your image by making yourself as attractive as possible. Looks do matter, not least because people generally respond more positively to somebody who dresses well and appears well groomed.

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Be sure to floss -

And here's a little tip: be sure to floss. Besides ridding your teeth of embarrassing bits of cabbage and suchlike, flossing can stave off gum disease.

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Let go of fair-weather friends -

Choose your friends wisely. Learn to distinguish between a true friend—someone who has always got your back—and a good friend, a person who'll perhaps offer sympathy when necessary but who's never willing to go the full nine yards. In other words, a fair-weather dude.

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Appreciate the value of money -

Get your money right. If you haven't got all you want, but have all you need, then you're halfway to appreciating the value of money. Those earning enough to cover living expenses, bills, etc., and still have enough to enjoy basic leisure pursuits are doing pretty good. Remember, material wealth doesn't always bring happiness.

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Nurture your relationships -

And here's something else. It doesn't matter how much money you take home, if all you have to look forward to is an empty house. In other words, money really doesn't buy love. Instead, concentrate equally on earning the trust and friendship of others. Because all the money in the world is meaningless without someone to share it with.

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The company you keep -

Beware the company you keep. Individual character is often judged by the people you have around you. While seeking common traits in someone, make sure they also mirror closely your core values and beliefs.

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Control your drinking -

Forget the image of the hard-drinking stud. You're not going to go very far if you drink too much. An unhealthy appetite for alcohol will quickly lose you friends, and that includes the ladies.

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Quit smoking -

If you smoke, quit. Or at least make sure everybody sees you making a supreme effort to kick the habit. There's nothing macho in tobacco, just yellow fingers, stained teeth, and bad breath. And don't even think about putting an ashtray in the bedroom!

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Read more books -

These days we're all putting our noses in far too many smart devices, or binging on Netflix. So buck the trend, and pick up a book. In fact, read one every week. Reading concentrates the mind, feeds the imagination, and stimulates the soul.

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Get toned -

While mindful of all the clichés, there's no doubt that a toned body does wonders for self-image. It tells everybody that you care about your health as much as your looks. And guys, strength training is great for virility and stamina!

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Be more complimentary -

Try giving at least one compliment a day, either at work or in the home. Being more observant of how others excel and calling out those accomplishments is a win-win deal. You'll be seen as someone who cares about people around him, while those on the receiving end will feel wanted and appreciated.

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Eat healthily -

Eating properly invariably means eating healthily. It's worth seeking out alternative and health food stores and also asking around for recommendations. And, of course, this doesn't mean you have to say goodbye to chicken wings and pie.  Just strike up a healthy balance.

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Learn to cook -

But if all you can do is crack an egg or burn toast, read on. A guy who can cook is not only doing himself a favor, he's able to teach others how to eat properly. And if you can plate up a special dinner for a romantic partner, just imagine how dessert is going to pan out...

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Host a dinner party -

In fact, why not a host a dinner party once a month? Sitting around the table with friends or family is the very cornerstone of a healthy modern society. It fosters relationships and prompts civil conversation. And if this is all your doing, imagine the boost it will give your self-esteem.

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Journaling -

This may appear a rather odd recommendation, especially to any guy who's not comfortable jotting down his life in words. But keeping a journal is an effective way to cognitively and emotionally process all the stuff you might be going through. It can be a paragraph, or a single sentence. Either way, put it to paper.

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Don't be meek -

Don't be too nice. That's not saying be aggressive or unkind. But projecting an overly meek attitude can be misconstrued as weakness. Be assertive and stand up for yourself!

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Improve your communication skills -

Take time out to improve your communication skills. Unfortunately, men are stereotypically not great communicators, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. Start by paying more attention to how you speak and the words you use. And look people in the eye when talking to them.

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Learn more practical skills -

A man about the house is a great asset, especially if he can fix a leak, or wire up a new lamp. Indeed, the more practical skills you have under your belt, the more appreciated and indispensable you'll become.

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Take up a musical instrument -

Ok, you're strong, good-looking, can  cook, and are pretty handy around the house. Now imagine if you can knock out a bit of Bach on the piano, or do a pretty good impression of Eric Clapton on guitar? Yes, learning to play a musical instrument definitely adds another string to your bow.

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Love animals -

A man who demonstrates a love of nature and who cares about the environment will win many fans. And if they are animal lovers, too, that will certainly get tails wagging.

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Bond with the family -

If you're a family man, it's imperative you bond with your kids as early and as regularly as possible. Your wife or partner will love you more for it. If marriage is still a distant proposition, call up parents and family members— what man doesn't love his mom?

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Make a point of volunteering -

Volunteering in any capacity gives you a sense of achievement and purpose. It also helps you feel part of the community. Spare some time away from your buddies and share your talents, learn new skills, and create a better work-life balance, by giving up spare time for a good cause.

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Never lie to yourself -

Finally, being honest is one quality appreciated in both men and women. But guys, it's also about being honest with yourself. By doing so you can assess where you're at in life, and what makes you happy. If in doubt, it's time to change direction.

Sources: (Healthline) (Positive Psychology)

See also: Symptoms men should never ignore

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