Some men can’t seem to get ahead in life, and they find it hard to identify why. Colleagues are being promoted above them, while friends are getting into happy relationships and moving ahead on a personal level.

Looking at other’s success makes them question why they are stuck, but they can’t seem to find the answers.

There are, in fact, many common reasons that keep men down, and as this list suggests, change needs to come from within.

1. Avoiding Responsibility

The first point to address relates to the question of blame and fairness. Men often feel that their lack of progress is someone else’s fault. Maybe you feel your boss doesn’t like you and that’s why you’ve not been promoted,

Life isn’t always fair, but we have to accept that fact and move on. Rather than blame your boss, your ex, or your parents, accept responsibility and take a look at what you may or may not have done to get stuck.

2. Procrastination

Procrastination is the act of putting off difficult decisions. Unsuccessful men generally tend to be indecisive, preferring to delay the important calls in life, rather than move forward.

Studies have shown that those who procrastinate may have underlying mental health issues, so it’s good to speak to a professional if you are prone to this bad habit. If you are merely indecisive, look to assess your options, writing them down on paper if necessary, before making some choices.

3. Not Taking Action

This fault is similar to procrastination, but it involves failing to act once a decision has been made. It can also be linked to positivity and visualization, where the individual focuses on a positive outcome, but forgets that they have to back this up with clear actions.

It’s important to be positive, but remember that the Universe can’t do all the work. At some point, you will need to act if you want to move forward.

4. Having a Negative Mindset

There is a definite need for positivity and various studies have backed this up. Those findings show that men who lean toward a negative mindset are more likely to suffer from mental health issues including anxiety, stress, and depression.

Carrying that negativity is also likely to hold you back in life. You’ll have an underlying feeling that life is too much of a struggle and that the important tasks are too hard to overcome.

5. Fear of Change

You could also describe this phenomenon as being stuck in the comfort zone. A man may be trapped in a job that they hate, but they are frightened to take a chance and move on.

More successful people tend to change things around when the situation isn’t right. Others may not be happy where they are, but it’s a known situation. Changing their job or other surroundings involves a step into the unknown, and for many males that’s a step too far.

6. Lack of Goal Setting

Everyone needs a target to aim for and those without goals have a greater tendency to float through life without achieving anything. A lack of goal-setting could also be referred to as lacking ambition.

Goals also need plans, otherwise you’ll have no idea how to get there. Many unsuccessful males have neither a plan, nor an initial goal, and this may be another reason why your life isn’t moving forward.

7. Not Learning From Mistakes

There is an old saying that is related to the meaning of insanity. It claims that anyone doing the same thing over again and expecting different results is mad, and it’s hard to argue with that theory.

We can incorporate that analysis into our list, as many men who are stuck in life tend to keep repeating the same mistakes over again. Those who move forward realize they need to change direction if something isn’t working.

8. Lack of Self-Belief

Along with self-belief, we could have included the term “self-confidence.” Those who progress in life are more likely to believe in their qualities, and in some cases, that belief may even be exaggerated.

In contrast, those with a lack of belief are more likely to remain stuck. Having no confidence means that an individual is less likely to make themselves heard. They will blend into the background while others move forward.

9. Neglecting Health

There remains a theory that the males of the species should always “man up” and get on with it. When illness strikes, they should ignore it and keep moving forward toward their goals.

This is, at best, an unhelpful mindset and it can also be dangerous. Neglecting physical health can lead to more serious conditions. Meanwhile, men should always be encouraged to be more open and to talk about any mental health problems they are experiencing.

10. Having Old-Fashioned “Male” Values

While society has moved on to an extent, some males still feel that certain tasks are divided into genders. Maybe the persistence of the alpha-male myths on social media has helped to perpetuate this attitude.

Men who are stuck in the past may also be stuck in their lives. While there will always be exceptions, those who embrace the new, more inclusive society, have a greater chance of success.