Ever wonder why some men just can’t seem to catch a break, no matter how hard they try?

It’s not always bad luck or circumstances holding them back.

Often, it’s their habits—deeply ingrained behaviors they may not even be aware of—that keep them stuck in a cycle of frustration and missed opportunities.

Unsuccessful men who struggle to get ahead in life usually share certain habits that sabotage their progress without them realizing it.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re not winning at life, take a look at these seven habits that could be standing in your way.

1) Shying away from responsibility

Men who struggle to find success often have a tendency to avoid taking responsibility for their actions or circumstances.

This habit manifests in different ways, from blaming others for personal failures to consistently depending on external factors for their success or failure.

This behavior stems from a subconscious desire to protect oneself from the discomfort of admitting mistakes or shortcomings.

It’s far easier to blame someone else or an external circumstance than to look inward and acknowledge our own role in the situation.

However, this habit is a major roadblock to personal growth and success.

By shying away from responsibility, these individuals miss out on opportunities to learn and grow from their mistakes.

The first step towards breaking this habit is developing self-awareness – recognizing when we’re avoiding responsibility and choosing instead to face our shortcomings head-on.

This shift in mindset is crucial for personal development and success.

2) Fear of embracing creativity

Another habit that unsuccessful men often display is a fear of embracing their creativity.

This might look like sticking to the same routines, avoiding new experiences, or shying away from innovative ideas.

In my journey, I’ve come to realize that creativity is not a special skill reserved for a select few, but an inherent capacity within all of us.

But often, fear holds us back from tapping into this potential. We may fear judgment, failure, or the unknown.

Yet, it’s through facing these fears and stepping outside our comfort zones that we truly grow and evolve.

As the renowned author and speaker, Brené Brown once said: “Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change.”

By choosing vulnerability over comfort and daring to unleash our creativity, we pave the way for not just personal success, but also the potential to make a positive impact in the world.

3) Remaining stuck in rigid dominance hierarchies

Often, some men fall into the trap of rigid dominance hierarchies.

These are systems where individuals rank each other based on power, status, or wealth, often leading to harmful competition and a lack of authentic connections.

In my own journey, I’ve realized that success is more about cultivating relationships based on mutual respect, empathy, and cooperation than it is about material aspirations.

It’s about recognizing the inherent dignity and worth in ourselves and others, regardless of our external accomplishments.

If you’d like to delve deeper into breaking free from these harmful hierarchies and fostering more authentic relationships, I encourage you to watch my video on how to choose a life partner based on genuine connections and long-term compatibility.

In it, I share insights from my personal experiences and propose a shift away from societal expectations towards a more intentional approach in building meaningful relationships.

If you find these ideas resonating with you and wish to explore more on living life with greater purpose and freedom, consider joining over 30,000 others who have subscribed to my YouTube channel.

You can do so here. This is a space for us to grow together as we redefine what success truly means.

4) Ignoring the power of self-awareness

One common habit among unsuccessful men is neglecting the transformative power of self-awareness.

This lack of introspection often leads to repeated mistakes, stunted personal growth, and a feeling of being stuck in life.

Self-awareness involves recognizing our strengths, acknowledging our weaknesses, and understanding how our actions impact ourselves and others.

Ignoring self-awareness not only hampers personal development but also affects relationships and decision-making abilities.

It prevents us from fully understanding ourselves, our motivations, and the repercussions of our actions. 

5) Prioritizing wealth accumulation over value alignment

It’s a common habit among unsuccessful men to measure their success by the wealth they accumulate.

They often overlook the importance of aligning their financial decisions with their deepest values and using money as a tool for positive change.

This pursuit of wealth for its own sake can lead to a life that feels empty and unfulfilled.

It can result in strained relationships, compromised values, and a lack of purpose.

This is not to say that financial success is unimportant, but rather that it should not be the sole measure of success.

Prosperity isn’t just about accumulating wealth.

It’s about cultivating a sense of purpose, creativity, and ethical participation in the economy.

It’s about directing resources towards businesses and initiatives that not only bring financial returns but also contribute to a more just and sustainable future.

6) Avoiding obstacles and fearing failure

Unsuccessful men often view obstacles as insurmountable barriers and failure as a reflection of their worth.

This fear-based mentality can hinder personal growth and prevent them from taking risks that could lead to success.

However, obstacles and setbacks aren’t roadblocks on the path to success, but stepping stones.

They are opportunities for growth, learning, and creative problem-solving.

Instead of viewing failure as a dead-end, it should be seen as feedback, an indication that our approach needs adjustment.

By embracing setbacks and viewing them as catalysts for growth, we open ourselves up to new possibilities and experiences.

7) Neglecting the power of community and authentic relationships

Another common habit among unsuccessful men is neglecting the power of community and authentic relationships.

They often isolate themselves, believing that success is a solitary endeavor and that they must navigate their journey alone.

However, this mindset can lead to feelings of loneliness and burnout.

It can hinder personal growth and rob us of the joy that comes from shared experiences.

It’s through our connections with others that we find the courage to pursue our dreams, the resilience to overcome challenges, and the support we need when we stumble.

They provide us with different perspectives, challenge us in constructive ways, and inspire us to be better versions of ourselves.

8) Overlooking personal growth as a key to success

Finally, many men overlook personal growth as a vital element of success.

While external achievements like wealth and status are often used as markers of success, inner growth—the process of evolving, learning, and becoming more self-aware—is what truly sustains long-term success and fulfillment.

Personal growth involves confronting fears, challenging limiting beliefs, and embracing self-compassion. It’s a lifelong journey of continuous improvement.

By prioritizing personal development, you build a strong foundation for lasting success and happiness.

Breaking the cycle 

If any of these habits resonate with you, don’t feel discouraged—use this awareness as motivation to make changes.

Success is as much about unlearning the habits that hinder you as it is about developing the ones that propel you forward.

Small shifts can lead to big transformations, and with the right mindset, anyone can start winning at life.

So I invite you to reflect:

Are there any habits you recognize in yourself? What steps can you take towards transforming them?

The first step towards change is always awareness.

If you’ve found value in this article and wish to explore more on living life with greater purpose and freedom, consider joining over 30,000 others who have subscribed to my YouTube channel.

You can do so here. Together, we can embark on this journey towards personal transformation and success.