A Man’s Life

Thumbnail image for A Formula for Success: The Power of Implementation Intentions

A Formula for Success: The Power of Implementation Intentions

by Brett & Kate McKay

If you’re like many men across the world, you probably set some new goals for yourself on January 1. Maybe it was to work out regularly or get into the reading habit. Or maybe you wanted to pay off your debt or increase your productivity. Perhaps you did okay for the first week or two, [...]

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Thumbnail image for The Four Archetypes of the Mature Masculine: The King

The Four Archetypes of the Mature Masculine: The King

by Brett

This is the sixth and final part of a series on the archetypes of mature masculinity based on the book King, Warrior, Magician, Lover by Robert Moore and Douglas Gillette. If you haven’t already, I highly recommend reading the introduction to the series first. Also, keep in mind that these posts are a little more esoteric than our normal [...]

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Thumbnail image for Willpower Part III: How to Strengthen Your Willpower and 20 Ways to Conserve It

Willpower Part III: How to Strengthen Your Willpower and 20 Ways to Conserve It

by Brett & Kate McKay

In the first post in this series, we discussed the nature of willpower, noting that is a real mental energy. In the second post, we explored the way in which this mental energy is a finite resource and how it can be depleted through the exercising of self-control and the making of decisions. Now if [...]

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Thumbnail image for Willpower Part II: How Your Willpower Is Depleted

Willpower Part II: How Your Willpower Is Depleted

by Brett & Kate McKay

In the first post of this three-part series, we offered a general outline of the nature of willpower, noting that it is a real mental energy which regulates your thoughts, emotions, impulses, and performance control by keeping in check desires and behaviors at odds with your values and long-term goals. We then compared the battle [...]

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Thumbnail image for Manvotional: The Thousandth Man

Manvotional: The Thousandth Man

by Brett & Kate McKay

The Thousandth Man By Rudyard Kipling One man in a thousand, Solomon says, Will stick more close than a brother. And it’s worth while seeking him half your days If you find him before the other. Nine hundred and ninety-nine depend On what the world sees in you, But the Thousandth Man will stand your [...]

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Thumbnail image for Ace Your Exams: Study Tactics of the Successful Gentleman Scholar

Ace Your Exams: Study Tactics of the Successful Gentleman Scholar

by Brett & Kate McKay

When 160,000 undergraduates in the University of California system were asked to name the obstacles that impeded their academic success, the students listed things like work, stress, and depression. But the number one reason, which was given by 33% of the students, was that they simply didn’t know how to study. When I first arrived at college, I was one of [...]

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Thumbnail image for Willpower Part I: The Force of Greatness

Willpower Part I: The Force of Greatness

by Brett & Kate McKay

What are your regrets from last year? Failing to stick with an exercise program? Losing a girlfriend because you strayed? Failing a class? Hurting a loved one with your temper? What resolutions have you made for the new year? Losing 20 pounds? Getting up earlier in the morning? Reining in your spending? Wasting less time [...]

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Thumbnail image for How to Throw an Awesome Holiday Party Part IV: A Primer on Being the Ultimate Host

How to Throw an Awesome Holiday Party Part IV: A Primer on Being the Ultimate Host

by Brett & Kate McKay

This post is brought to you by Heineken. What’s this? Here’s a primer on what to do during each phase of your party in order to be the ultimate host.

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Thumbnail image for Practical Wisdom: The Master Virtue

Practical Wisdom: The Master Virtue

by Brett & Kate McKay

In 2008, Christopher Ratte and his seven-year-old son were attending a Detroit Tigers game together. When Ratte went to the concession stand, he grabbed a beer for himself and a Mike’s Hard Lemonade for his son, unaware that the drink contained 5% alcohol.  When a security guard saw Ratte’s son nursing the bottle of the [...]

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Thumbnail image for Manvotional: The Bull’s-Eye Lantern

Manvotional: The Bull’s-Eye Lantern

by Brett & Kate McKay

In coming across Robert Louis Stevenson’s essay, “The Lantern-Bearers,” a few months ago, I discovered an image that has stuck with me like few things I have ever read. I have pondered it many times since, and I thought that it was especially apropos to share during this “season of lights.” In the essay, Stevenson [...]

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Thumbnail image for Lessons in Manliness from Dante

Lessons in Manliness from Dante

by A Manly Guest Contributor

Editor’s note: This is a guest post from Andrew Ratelle. “I see man’s mind cannot be satisfied unless it be illumined by that truth beyond which there exists no other truth.” – Paradiso IV.124-126. Auguste Rodin’s famous sculpture, The Thinker, is probably the single most well-known depiction of the poet Dante. Originally entitled The Poet [...]

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Thumbnail image for How to Throw an Awesome Holiday Party–Part II: Guest Lists, Invitations, and Planning

How to Throw an Awesome Holiday Party–Part II: Guest Lists, Invitations, and Planning

by Brett & Kate McKay

This post is brought to you by Heineken. What’s this? Once you know what kind of party you’re throwing, it’s time to begin planning the event: drawing up a guest list, sending out invitations, and getting ready for the shindig. Here’s how to do it.

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Thumbnail image for Rip Off the Band-Aid!

Rip Off the Band-Aid!

by Brett & Kate McKay

When I was a kid and had a loose tooth, my intimidating grandmother would always ask me if I’d like to have it removed using her patented old school technique. This method involved tying one end of a string to the tooth, the other end to a doorknob, and then slamming the door shut, thus [...]

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Thumbnail image for Manvotional: Alumunus Football

Manvotional: Alumunus Football

by Brett & Kate McKay

Alumunus Football By Grantland Rice Bill Jones had been the shining star upon his college team, His tackling was ferocious and his bucking was a dream; When husky William tucked the ball beneath his brawny arm They had a special man to ring the ambulance alarm. Bill had the speed—Bill had the weight—the nerve to [...]

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Thumbnail image for How to Throw an Awesome Holiday Party–Part I: Choosing a Party Theme

How to Throw an Awesome Holiday Party–Part I: Choosing a Party Theme

by Brett & Kate McKay

This post is brought to you by Heineken. What’s this?While throwing parties is often seen as the responsibility of our female counterparts, men—particularly bachelors–have a long history of throwing memorable shindigs. So today we begin a four part series on how to host a great party. Lesson the first: picking your party type or theme.

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Thumbnail image for The Four Archetypes of the Mature Masculine: The Magician

The Four Archetypes of the Mature Masculine: The Magician

by Brett

This is the fifth part of a series on the archetypes of mature masculinity based on the book King, Warrior, Magician, Lover by Robert Moore and Douglas Gillette. If you haven’t already, I highly recommend reading the introduction to the series first. Also, keep in mind that these posts are a little more esoteric than our normal fare, and [...]

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Thumbnail image for How to Handle Being Out of Your Depth: 6 Tips from a Con Man

How to Handle Being Out of Your Depth: 6 Tips from a Con Man

by Brett & Kate McKay

Your boss invites you to the country club to play a round of golf with him and other important higher ups. You’ve never stepped foot in a country club before, and haven’t played any golf beyond putt-putt. You’re hoping to graduate early and decide to take an advanced class that’s required for your major, even [...]

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Thumbnail image for What Man Hasn’t Squandered a Life Changing Event?

What Man Hasn’t Squandered a Life Changing Event?

by A Manly Guest Contributor

Editor’s note: This is a guest post from Tyler Tervooren from Advanced Riskology. The other day I asked myself, “Tyler, how long has it been since you’ve recognized yourself?” That’s a pretty funny question when you think about it. But the truth is the me that I know today is less than two years old. [...]

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Thumbnail image for Develop a Strong He-Man Voice by Using the Voice Nature Gave You

Develop a Strong He-Man Voice by Using the Voice Nature Gave You

by Brett & Kate McKay

Have you ever listened to a recording of your voice and cringed? Perhaps you were surprised about how nasally or high-pitched it was, or how hard you were to understand. Perhaps in that moment you wished for a manlier, more pleasant-sounding voice. A deep, strong, masculine voice is not without its benefits. Women prefer men [...]

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