Connor Beaton argues that the single behavior that most undermines a man’s life is repeatedly avoiding the hard things he knows he should do (e.g., telling the truth, going to the gym, getting up when the alarm rings). Persistent avoidance erodes self-trust, self-respect, perceived competence and confidence, and reduces others’ trust and respect (affecting relationships and external outcomes like finances). The talk frames willingness and grit to do hard things as central to male self-leadership.
Chapters
One thing that erodes your level of self respect, your level of self leadership, your level of internal confidence. There's one thing that can really deteriorate your life as a man, both externally in your relationship and your finances and internally. And it's one thing. I mean, there's many things, but there's one thing definitely does you in and that's avoiding the hard things that you know you need to do that would make your life better. That might be telling the truth. It might be going to the gym, it might be getting up when your alarm goes off. But if you consistently avoid the hard things that you know you need to do, that would make your life better. Even if it wasn't about making your life better, it's just, it's a hard thing that you know you need to do. Over time, what happens is you condition yourself to diminish your level of trust within yourself. It diminishes your level of self respect. It's. It diminishes your perception of your competency and your confidence. It diminishes other people's, your relationships, your spouses, your girlfriends, boyfriends, et cetera, your co workers. It diminishes their level of trust and respect in you. The truth about being a man is that in many ways, your willingness, your ability, your determination and grit to continue to do the hard things that you know you need.
