Don’t Change, Be Your Best Self – Habits of the Modern Gentleman
Traces of self-reliance, personal responsibility, and self-development can be used to illustrate the modern gentleman’s image in several ways based on their accomplishments. Times have changed in the sense of how one measures the success one isn’t dictated by traditional attributes of money, place in the society or eloquence, no, modern gent strives for so much more. Nowadays, success encompasses hard work, growth, building relations and achieving harmony, in other words greatness. In this essay the author suggests a more holistic way of thinking, where self-awareness, room for personal growth, development of self and a life led with purpose, are the fundamentals of success of this breed.
Emotional and mental states are as important as physical for a modern gentleman; thus self-care is one of their traits. Understanding the correlation between physical wellbeing for success makes regular visits to the gym, healthy eating and proper sleep a must. Along with physical, mental wellbeing is of equal importance too, expanding a gentleman’s horizon, having the ability to make decisions without comprehensive, irrational thoughts is an important quality for leadership and strong character. Being a modern gentleman allows the belief that stress can’t be eliminated but rather strategies for emotional control, stress management and mindfulness can be used to ease the burden of being a leader can be employed ensuring mental clarity at crucial moments.
The gentleman of the modern world is a man who is dedicated to pursue knowledge beyond the classroom or any type of formal learning. Modern day education can be sought in books, meaningful conversations or conferences, and all those are the mediums that a gentleman looks to in order to “further his ambitions”. But it doesn’t stop there, as the rest of the world becomes intensely competitive, and new challenges approach us from all angles, a modern gentleman will always stay ready to accept them, knowing there is no limit to how much, or what, he can accomplish.
Having said that, business networking and in general socializing websites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn etc. are crucial for success as well. However, as previously stated, the gentleman of today is real, and that also applies to how he forms connections and builds relations. He continuously looks for opportunities in his professional and personal life to meet new people and replenish his circle with inspirations that help him grow and push him to be better. And it is these people that help him develop more, during dire and challenging situations, and protect him when there is a risk of him losing his mind.
Finally, the contemporary gentleman’s behavior has a focus. ‘Success’ is not solely wealth but also the positive change he causes to other people or society as a whole. He actively seeks out ways to support institutions, be it through sponsorships, charitable activities, or any other initiatives in which he wishes to take part. For a modern man, being business-oriented, inspiring people, and leading by example, and leaving legacy is possible once the work and private life is fused into one with respect for his own virtues.
Hence, the habits of the modern gentleman mark a considerable evolution in the definition of success from the narrow focus on what is actually done outside. There is a new definition of success: making an effort, but also taking care of oneself, spending time with people who matter and who we want to make a difference to. Having such privileges, the modern gentleman is able to change how society understands the concept of being successful and guarantees self-filling success without regard to self and society.
