For the longest time, we have had to keep our mouths shut. But now you’re in the company of men.

One of man’s biggest responsibilities

You’ve heard it and you probably heard it from your wife, girlfriend, sister, or mother. Men couldn’t handle pregnancy. Men couldn’t handle the stirrups and crank. Men couldn’t handle this and men couldn’t handle that. Women regularly remind us that they have it not only worse, but that we could not handle being them. But think about this: The flip side is true. Women couldn’t handle being men. Why? For starters, women couldn’t handle making the tough decisions that routinely fall to men.

Why would women fail at making decisions like men? Because of speed, repercussions and self-doubt.

Men are expected to be decisive

Men have to make quick decisions without the counsel of their friends, family or coworkers. Women tend to need to talk, debate and discuss decisions before making a choice. While this can make for good sounding boards, it can cost time — and being decisive usually means making snap judgments. Men are expected to make swift and sound decisions and move on their own.

Moreover, men have to live with repercussions of their decisions. Our choices may make some family angry and we may lose some friends, but these possibilities go hand-in-hand with making decisions. Our wives and girlfriends often worry themselves with fears of what-if’s and who’ll think what. Men can’t afford to do that. Sure, we may make the call and unfortunately tick someone off, but that’s life. We’re supposed to man up and handle our business.

Wrestling self-doubt in private

Men must wrestle and defeat doubt. Every tough call has its associated doubts, but we have to move in spite of that. We have to make up our minds and make a decision by weighing odds and possibilities. There’s little time to wait on someone else for guidance to show us the way. Think about how we’re raised — little boys get toy soldiers that storm enemy strongholds with only their bare hands; little girls get Barbie dolls. Men doubt, but we don’t have time for deliberation. It’s about self-reliance, and decisions have to be made.

in the company of men

Being a man is harder than women like to acknowledge. Being a man is about making decisions. It’s a tough job and it takes a man to do it.

I’m Dean Cardell and I make no apologies.