It's almost impossible to read an article, open a book, visit a website, or hear an expert speak (who isn't an expert these days?) without being buried in well-intended and unsolicited advice. Advice that’s almost always intended for someone else. Make sense? Nope, I think not. The best kind of advice is almost always given to ourselves. Because you're the only one who knows what you really need. Of course, you’ve got to have an open mind and it takes some courage to do something with your own advice. That’s why we’d rather give advice to other people; it’s much better for our egos. But how can you advise others when you're not even capable of managing yourself? Would you take skiing lessons from someone who can't ski? Seriously. Just stop. Cut it out. Try listening for a change. You might actually hear something, make a connection, and earn more…. attention, respect, and money.

In order to back that up, I’d like to share a series of five articles featuring the 5² Life Hacks that I use as guidelines for myself. Isn't it comforting to know you don't have to take them personally? I’ve learned all 25 by trial and error, some by damage and disgrace. Anyway, this is the fourth of the series: 5 Life Hacks as a Man. Wanna read it in Dutch? There you go. Cheers!

BE FEARLESS — In a recent keynote for the sales & marketing troops of a multinational, I spoke about the five most striking characteristics of the top 1% salesmen. One of these is: They Are Fearless. In the reviews, I got quite a lot of acclamation. Because, apparently, fear never comes to the table despite the fact that it’s so common. Fear is an integral part of our existence. And being hindered, or more aptly put: allowing yourself to be hindered by fear is a waste of your life, your opportunities, your chances, your development, and your right to freedom. Still, it is entirely your responsibility to face your fears, give fear the finger, and go for what you really want. Feel the fear and do it anyway.

BE POWERFUL — You have the final say over your own well being. Mens sane in corpore sano: a strong mind in a strong body. How strong, fit, and healthy do you want to be? Tell me. What are you willing to do for it? No time? Lame excuse. Alcohol is part of the fun? Bullshit. The first bio-hack is nutrition: natural, unprocessed food and grass-fed steak. Intermittent fasting rocks. The second hack is strength. Muscular strength. Lift some heavy shit and practice high intensity interval training. You cycle with your buddies on Sunday morning? Great social event, but cycling makes you skinny-fat and is really bad for your balls. Boost your testosterone naturally by sunbathing your testicles. Get real, mate. Be a man. Sun, Steak and Steel (thank you, P.D. Mangan).

EXECUTION IS A STRATEGY — Great quote by Herb Kelleher, the former founder of Southwest Airlines: “We have a strategic plan and it’s called doing things”. There we are: doing things. It’s an almost forgotten discipline in which you actually put results up on a scoreboard. Intentions are beautiful, plans are patient, and dreams are just like fears: they almost never come true. What you’re really up to is what Napoleon Hill calls your definite chief aim. You’ll need some grit to get there. Execution is a strategy. Stop having meetings, playing politics, and micro-managing every situation. Just go do something. Learn by doing, adapt the plans, and learn how to fail and move forward fast. You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do (Henry Ford).

LOW TESTOSTERONE DISEASE — One of the world’s most insidious epidemics is the devilish lack of testosterone among men. You know the drill: man boobs, belly fat, sitting down on the job, having a beer and shit like that. Typical causes of lack of testosterone. Testosterone is an essential androgen, necessary for healthy heart and blood vessels, a sharp concentration, good memory, muscle mass, optimal mental health, benefits your libido, as well as being an effective anti-inflammatory agent, and much, much more. Are you a man over the age of 30? Have your blood tested regularly, even if you have a high metabolism. Don’t kid yourself: make sure that you’ve got a blood value of at least 20 nmol/l, irrespective of your age. Period.

IT’S ALL ABOUT MINDSET — Testosterone supports your focus and drive. It’ll also give you an advantage in achieving results. A chronic lack of testosterone will set you back. Without will power and a strong mind, you won't make it to the top, no matter what you do. But the good news is, you can train your mind just like your muscles. “Watch your thoughts, they become words; watch your words, they become actions; watch your actions, they become habits; watch your habits, they become character; watch your character for it becomes your destiny.” Take a day and write down all your unfiltered thoughts. A whole new world of endless opportunities will open up if you leave your mindfucks behind. That’s not a promise, it’s a guarantee.