Let's Talk Self-Worth & Confidence (Page 15)

This past week, I watched a good 20 hours of the London 2012 Summer Olympics, and I can tell you with certainty that placing second is absolutely nothing like winning first place. It’s the difference between being an Olympic champion and . . . being that other person. So goes the same for being a man’s second choice in love. But what does it mean to be the runner up? Whether it’s real life or an online dating...

Chances are, unless you studied magic under the great Harry Houdini, getting a girl to ask for your number is a difficult trick to master. It takes one part gusto, two parts bravado, two parts self-confidence and a little bit of reverse psychology. Let’s take a look at an example of a guy succeeding at having a girl ask for his number. A guy walks into a bar and is immediately drawn to one of those sexy...

To me, there is nothing sexier than a man who strikes the perfect balance of good guy/bad boy. There is something alluring about a man who has a sincere desire to do good but struggles with bad boy behavior. Guys, if you are looking to find a middle ground for the coexisting polarities in your personality, it’s easier said than done. One will usually take precedence and come to the forefront more frequently than...

As a man who works hard to hone his sensitivity, I’m well aware that every woman (and every man) in the world has at least one or two body issues. I’m aware that even the world’s most conventionally beautiful and physically attractive women can, at a moment’s notice, rattle off a full catalog of "faults" they’ve identified with their bodies. I know the opinions of men, the media, and even other women often...

Everyone knows nice girls finish last, right? Nice girls are less likely to get the promotion, to get the recognition they deserve, and, of course, nice girls are less likely to get the guy. But is there more to this "nice girl" problem than meets the eye? Define "nice." What comes to mind when someone mentions a nice girl? Is it a girl who is kind of a doormat? Is it a girl who is always helping other...

Going on a first date with a man you really like can be pretty nerve-racking. Not only are you going to worry about those largely uncontrollable elements of your first date (whether you two will share good conversation, whether you’re compatible, whether things will go the way you want them to), you will also find yourself stressing out endlessly about all those little things you do have control of. And few of...

We’ve all known them. Women who put up with verbal abuse and sometimes even physical abuse. We wonder why they don’t respect themselves more. And with every new barb that we witness, we wonder why they don’t leave. Abusive relationships are very complicated, to say the least. Women often enter them because in some crazy way, they feel comfortable. For instance, some women interpret jealousy as "caring." If he is...

Getting over a guy is like slowly pulling off a Band-Aid — for a little while, it’s agony. Then before you know it, the pain is over! Whether you date a man for two months or two years, women around the world agree getting over a guy you still like is a miserable experience. There are times when we break up with a guy for good reason and we still have feelings for him. But usually when we find ourselves in the...

Being nervous before a first date is to be expected. After all, there are countless of unknown factors that accompany a first date. What if he doesn’t like you? What if you don’t like him? What if you say something stupid? Each factor has the potential to create a lifelong memory you’d do anything to forget. Yes, facing the first date requires the courage of a warrior and the can-do spirit of a fierce and fabulous...

Sometimes I think there is nothing more painful than feeling lonely and wishing for a mate. As humans, we are meant to connect. Solitary confinement is used as the ultimate punishment. The urge to bond is especially poignant in a high-supply sexual economy where the media paints a picture of everyone dating and having lots of exciting sex. (Most of which is a myth.) The important thing to remember is that there...

There is nothing that makes me sadder than to see a woman who is going through a breakup and doesn’t think she’ll ever fall in love again. Was he really that amazing — your ex? Was he the wind beneath your wings? Did he light your fire? I could come up with thousands of annoying song lyrics to get my point across, but let’s be frank — breakups suck. But let’s be even more frank, you will love again. The...

Jealousy can be a terribly destructive force in a relationship. My favorite definition of jealousy comes from Wikipedia.  “Jealousy is an emotion and typically refers to the negative thoughts and feelings of insecurity, fear, and anxiety over an anticipated loss of something that the person values, particularly in reference to a human connection.” Yep, that about sums it up. Here’s the thing about jealousy — when...

Reader Question: I’m a single, young-looking woman of 47. I don’t have a driver’s license, just a three-speed bike to get around to my GED classes and to the grocery store, then that’s all I get to do. I feel hopeless. I'm not having any luck at all in the love department, at least so far. I get lonely. All I have to keep me company is my computer and my TV. Since I don’t have my driver’s license and a car, what...

Guys, if you are looking for someone special and you haven’t found her yet, it’s time to kick your efforts up a notch. Trust me, there is a woman out there looking for you and counting the days until she finds you. This may be hard to believe, but you are some girl's perfect catch. You may not realize it, but you are exactly what some woman is looking for. You are her dreamboat, her Mr. Perfect, her soul mate. Now,...

You can tell a lot about a person by what kind of music they listen to. I can remember several guys who ran me off when they told me they were in love with songs that said things like, “I’m a creep. I’m a weirdo,” or “I am just a worthless liar.” Today, I pay very close attention to the lyrics people think are worth singing because it gives great insight into how they perceive themselves. It also speaks to their...

It’s a commonly retold biblical story. God told Lot and his wife to flee from their city, warning them to never look back at what the two left behind. Lot’s wife disobeys this command, glances back at the home where she previously invested all of who she was, and found herself promptly turned into a pillar of salt. Like all good stories, the tale of poor Lot’s wife contains within it a deeply seated truth —...

There is no shame in feeling insecure when it comes to dating. Trust me when I say it happens to the best of us. For some, it’s about overcoming shyness, while others have trouble worrying about how they’re perceived by others. Whatever your issue, these dating confidence tips will help you. Fake it. You’re not going to become a confident dater overnight, especially if you’re still kind of new to dating. My...

Guys, if you’re feeling insecure because your woman makes more money than you, may I suggest you build a bridge and get over yourself?! Just because your girlfriend makes more money does not make you any less of a man. I have never dated a man who made more money than me. Never. And I have never thought my boyfriend was a loser or inferior to me in any way…or inferior to other men for that matter. Sure, there are...

Nobody is born with confidence. Like riding a bike, writing in cursive or baking a chocolate-raspberry torte - it is a learned skill. For men, being shy can spell disaster on the dating scene. Most women prefer men who exude confidence and voice their opinion. So guys, how do you get over shyness - especially shyness that’s affecting your ability to meet the girl of your dreams? Overcome shyness with confidence....

When it comes to body image, guys crack me up. I watch you spend thousands of dollars on gym memberships, expensive jeans and fancy watches all to impress a girl. To be frank, you have no idea what really makes a woman’s motor run. You worry about all the wrong things. When it comes to physical appearance, we care a lot less than you think we do. Sure, we want our guy to look fly, but when you get down to...

There’s a little thing we often forget about in dating called “compromise.” When you’re in the throes of new love, it’s a given you’ll spend all of your time together and jump at the chance to see each other as often as humanly possible. What inevitably happens is one of you wakes up one day and realizes much of your life revolves around theirs, while the stuff you love to do has been shoved to the back burner,...

Helen Keller once said, “Relationships are like Rome — difficult to start out, incredible during the prosperity of the 'golden age' and unbearable during the fall. Then, a new kingdom will come along and the whole process will repeat itself until you come across a kingdom like Egypt that thrives and continues to flourish. This kingdom will become your best friend, your soul mate and your love.” We’ve all been...

The beginning of a relationship can be a fun and exciting time, but not everyone enjoys hearing about their new girlfriend's past. If you are the jealous type, you'll have to determine if you are going to take control or let jealousy get in the way of your relationship with a great girl. Being a little jealous is natural because it shows that you really care for this girl, but when it prevents you two from getting...