How to Level Up (For Men)

Can you compete with other men? Where do you rank amongst your peers? Can you level up? Have you ever leveled up? Do you desire to level up? If so, this article is for you —as I will explain how men can level up. In this article, I will be discussing with you how to do just that. First, you much give yourself a realistic evaluation. You should know your wroth. If you cannot rank yourself, allow the men you aspire to be like to rank you. Allow the women you aspire to be with rank you as well. Constructive criticism can be very productive. After you evaluate yourself and know where you rank —and where you stand— you can focus on leveling up. Strengthening your weaknesses and maintaining your strengths.

First, let's focus on appearance.

Where do you rank? Looks alone. Naked. Your facial structure. Your body image. Etc. Where do you rank? If you know what the standard of beauty is for men, do you compare to it? The standard of beauty is what most women prefer. A thin, toned, muscular, and masculine man. A man with clear skin, good teeth, good hair. A man with a loud, deep, and clear voice. Do you look the part? If not, then adjust accordingly.

Are you fit and in shape?

If you are overweight, lose the weight. Join a gym. Get a fitness coach. Research diet and nutrition. Research fitness. Do the necessary work. Talk with a dietitian or nutritionist. Get the help you need to look your best. So, you can compete. So you can stay competitive. Remember,

“getting a woman's attention is only the beginning, maintaining it is the real challenge.”

- Christopher J. Banks, Sr.

"Getting the attention of a woman is a sprint, maintaining it is a marathon."

- Christopher J. Banks, Sr.

Point is, be slim, toned up, and fit —to better your chances in this dating market. To have the strength and confidence to be a better protector as well. I am currently on my weight loss journey. Practicing what I preach. I am currently down 60 pounds, in just 6 months. With about 22 to go before I reach my ideal weight of 185 pounds.

Are you toned?

Women love a man with muscles. You don't have to be a body builder. But are you slightly toned? Do you have any definition in your abs? Have toned arms? Do you look like a protector? Women love protectors. Do you look like the type of man that would protect a woman? Do you look the part? If not, adjust accordingly. After I get to my idea weight. I will do just that —tone up a little.

Do you have clear skin?

If you have acne, get a skincare routine. Go to a dermatologist. Research skincare. Talk with other men about their skincare routine. I hate that I must have one, but I have a problem with enlarged pores. My skincare routine is helping with that. I have done the necessary research to better my skin. I am making the necessary changes in my life to give myself better skin —and doing what I must maintain it. You should as well.

Do you have a nice smile?

I honestly, do not. I have had braces before —as a child. But I am definitely going to need to level up my dental care. I am comfortable with my teeth, but I am aware of how other perceive me. And I will adjust accordingly, to be the best man I can be. To compete. To be more competitive. More attractive to the women I aspire to attract. To look like the men I aspire to look like. To look the part. To compete against my competition. To be more competitive. I will definitely need some dental work done —and I plan on accomplishing those goals soon.

Do you have a nice hairstyle?

Rather waves, braids. curls. Dreads, etc. Do you maintain a good, crisp hair line? Do you keep a good hairstyle? Can you maintain a good hair routine? Are you well groomed? From your hair on your head to your facial hair. Are you clean cut —well groomed? If not, adjust accordingly.

Do you have a good hygiene?

How is your hygiene? Do you smell good? Body and breath. Even hair. Do you have a good scent? Looking good is only the beginning, smelling good is also very important. Look good and smell good —and be good. Bathe daily. Stay with deodorant and body spray. Stay with good cologne. Find good fragrances that work for you. Have a good dental care routine. Brush daily. Floss daily. Rinse daily. Stay minted. No gum, if possible. Keep mints on you. Stay fresh. Stay clean. Avoid being caught slipping.

Do you dress nice? Do you have style?

How do you dress? Do you have a unique style? If not, adjust accordingly. Watch other men. Be inspired by other men. Observe how the men you aspire to be like dress. Observe how the men who are with the women you aspire to attract dress. Adjust accordingly. Be inspired.

Develop your own style, based on theirs. Rather you are dressing casual, street, or you are suited and booted. Have variety. Be able to rock jeans and a t shirt, khakis, and a suit. Have variety. Be able to dress for the occasion. If you have trouble, get with a fashion designer —or an image consultant. Etc... Every man should have his own style. One that is unique to him. I love rocking jeans with sneakers or Timberlands. I love sporting a smart watch, silicone bracelets, dog tags, and a graphic tee —but I can rock khakis as well. Preferably, dickies —with Timberlands. I can also put on a suit and tie.

Point is, have a variety of go-to styles. Be able to dress for the occasion. Develop your own unique style.

Next, let's focus on character and other characteristics.

Do you have good self-confidence? Self-esteem?

Confidence is everything. Self-esteem. Self-love. Knowledge of self is a powerful thing. No one knows you more than you know yourself, at least they should not. Know where you stand. Know your worth. When you know your worth, you can increase it. Then you can show others your worth. That's confidence.

Knowing your worth. Knowing that you have value —and showing that value to others. Women love a man with confidence. Men love being around men with confidence. Men who are motivational. Inspirational. Men aspire to be like men who are those things —as do I.

Develop self-love, self-motivation, and self-discipline. Increase your knowledge of self. Evaluate yourself. Know where you stand against your biggest competitors and adjust accordingly. Adapt. Adjust. Level up.

Do you have swagger?

Do you have any swag? Swagger meaning how you present yourself. How you carry yourself. Your personality. Masculinity. Your appearance. The way you walk. The way you talk —and all the above. A combination of things.

Something that is unique to you. If you don't have swag, develop it. Observe how others move. Observe your competition and adjust accordingly. How they carry themselves. How they operate. How they dress, talk, walk, etc. Develop your own swag. Your own style. Be unique. Have confidence.

Do you have great social skills?

Are you a good conversationalist? Can you hold a long conversation? How are your verbal and oral communication skills? Your speech skills? Your articulation skills? Can you maintain a woman's attention? Can you hold a conversation with your peers? Are you humorous? Can you make your peers laugh? Can you make a woman laugh? Are you uptight? Can you take and give a joke? Are you the life of the party? If you aspire to be, adjust accordingly. If not, be the laid back guy in the room. Cool, calm, and collective. That's definitely me. No shame at all.

Point is, acquire the skills you need. Improve your soft and hard skills. Observe how the men you aspire to be like speak. Observe and mimic. Be inspired. Then create your own style. Develop your own swagger.

Are you loyal, trust worthy?

Are you a loyal, trustworthy man —or do you gossip like a woman? Can you respect another man's privacy if he shares his business with you? Are you faithful? Can you commit to one woman? Know where you stand. Know what the woman you want require from a man. Know what the men you want to be around require. Adjust accordingly.

Are you a protector?

Can you fight? Can you defend yourself and those you love? Can you shoot? If not, adjust and learn. Take self-defense classes. Take boxing lessons. Go to the shooting range. Get the necessary skills you need. Build your confidence. Enhance your skills. Gain the knowledge and skills you need to be the best protector you can be. These are physical skills.

What about verbal skills. Can you hold your own in an argument? Some battles are verbal —oral. Rather against men or women. Can you defend yourself and those you love in verbal or oral warfare? If not,

“consistent practice leads to expertise.”

- Christopher J. Banks, Sr.

Be able to physically and verbally defend yourself and those you love. Especially children —and women. Women love being around men they feel safe around. Men they can trust to defend them if need be.

Are you a provider?

Can you provide for yourself? Can you make ends meet? Can you provide the basic necessities you need for survival? Food, clothing, shelter, transportation, etc. Can you provide for others? Can you handle money? Can you handle your finances or do they handle you? Are you financially literate, stable, and secure? If not, adjust accordingly.

Chase the bag. Develop and keep a hustlers mentality. Be a go-getter. Work hard. Get and keep a good job. Seek multiple streams of income —multiple revenue streams. Find a second or third job, or side hustles. Possibly passive income.

Have a saving mindset. Have an investing mindset. Yes, the two can coexist. Be able to provide for yourself alone, then focus on being able to provide for a family —if you chose to have one. If you already have one, focus on providing for them. Level up. Maximize your earning potential in whatever career or position you are in. Level up. If you are working retail, think management. If you are working fast food, think management —then think franchising. Opening your own restaurant or helping someone open theirs. Do not be content where you are. Always seek to maximize your earning potential in whatever job you are in. Return to school if you need to. If not, take e-courses to obtain the skills you need or aspire to have. Pay for consultations.

Point is, get the skills you need to get the resources you need to be the best provider you can be.

In conclusion, know where you stand. Know your value. Know where you rank. Adjust to compete. Adjust to level up. Never be content where you are. Always seek to improve —with your health and wealth goals. Mental health goals as well. Be the best man you can be. The best protector and provider you can be. Learn knowledge of self. Improve in areas you desire to. Level up.

So, are you trying to level up? Do you agree with my methods to level up? Anything that you would like to add? Do you have a different perspective? Please let me know what you think.

Thanks for your time. Have a nice day!

Much love,

Christopher J. Banks, Sr.