Tips for Single Status

So I’m reading this article on Match.com entitled “Dateless for Valentine’s Day: Am I a Loser?” Usually, I don’t put too much stock in the stuff they put on Match.com because it’s mostly a watered-down PC advice column that’s designed to get people to use the service, that, and it’s mostly geared towards the supplicative “Women are the Prize” frame. So I didn’t have a date for VD, and when i saw the article I decided to check it out just to make sure whether I’m a loser or not, and surprizingly, I found some pretty decent advice in the column. Here’s what I liked:

Trish McDermott, VP of Romance, Match.com, writes:
Here are some other tips for dealing with your single status — and for helping Cupid find you a Valentine before next year’s lovefest:

1. Start with a clean slate
If you’re still smarting from a recent break-up, it’s time to purge the pain. Write her name on a rock, and toss it in a lake; scrawl it on a scrap of paper, and burn it. But don’t dwell on relationship failures. Instead, review what you could have done better or revisit danger signs you didn’t see (or heed) until it was too late. This will help you avoid similar miscues in the future, increasing your confidence because you’ll know you won’t be repeating bad patterns this time around.

2. Don’t be afraid to ask
Sometimes just asking is the best way to get what you’re looking for. List what you liked and disliked about your last few relationships. Create another list of qualities you appreciated in former girlfriends as well as the qualities you didn’t. Then use your lists to create your free profile.

3. Stretch your limits
How far would you go for love? Some people are willing to move thousands of miles for a chance at romance, while others won’t go further than the next block. Once you’ve determined your geographical boundaries, you can search for single women in that area and not waste time — yours or hers.

4. Dress for success
Look the part of the dashing romantic by enhancing your appearance. Drastic changes like we see on TV aren’t necessary, but a new haircut, a different trim of your beard or some new shirts could raise your stock — or at least your mood. Once you’ve upgraded your look, have your friend snap a few photos to post with your profile.

Now, this is not new or groundbreaking advice, but you’d be surprized at how simple stuff like dressing nice and writing shit down can help you advance your skills. I don’t think guys do this enough. Most of us are lazy, and I know that I’ve been guilty of this before. But when you really take the time to sit down and write out things like goals, sticking points, ideas, etc., your life really takes a turn for the better because you give it direction and purpose instead of floundering around haphazardly.

If you want to check out the full article, you can read it here.