Granted, I can see every woman reading this article laughing, shaking her head in disbelief, or thinking this must be satire. No, ladies, it is not. Although I am a man and by no means perfect, I feel compelled to counter the general rumors about our shortcomings and write for all men who strive for perfection, myself included. To discover the perfect man, you must first have a basic checklist. Assuming this article is aimed more at women than men, I’ll start with her perspective. Please note that the following criteria are not in any particular order of importance. So here are some if not all of the requirements to be the perfect man.

1. Be a good listener – it’s not about YOU, it’s about everyone else. Take time to understand what is being said and allow the person to speak their mind without interruption. Men will find this easier said than done.
2. Be understanding: Also empathetic. After listening to what is said, try to recap and replay the important thoughts while putting yourself in their shoes. Try not to be too critical. Take advantage of your emotional side.
3. Be loving. Again, this is for your partner. A hug, kiss, or touch for no apparent reason other than to acknowledge that you care can do wonders. Don’t forget him. “I love you too. And remember, it’s not all about sex.
4. Be sexy and romantic: It’s okay, sometimes it’s all about sex. Being sexy can be about romance, like candlelight dinners YOU cook, surprise outings or vacations, and other ways to set the mood. Then ask him what he likes you to do to him and do it.
5. Fix or repair things: you know; the broken toilet seat, the peeling paint on the front door, or the sloping shelf. Take the time to make her home a safe place for her and her children. If you are not a handyman, learn to be one or hire a handyman. Either way, it shows that you care about your habitat.
6. Arrive on time: Meet that appointment or date. Check your watch and your calendar. In any case, get there early if you can. Being on time is another way of indicating that she is important to you. If you’re always late, it sounds like you’re a control freak, and that’s not good. Punctuality is a good trait.
7. Dress Up: Well, you like to lounge around in that ten-year-old football jersey and tattooed shorts. But try to look good most of the time. He throws away the holy clothes and updates the wardrobe. Let him buy you clothes he would like to see you in. And then keep them clean. Nobody likes sweaty shirts or pants. Nobody.
8. Shopping: That means with her and for her. Take an occasional trip to the supermarket. Just because she’s a woman doesn’t make her the local errand girl. If she ran out of beer or milk, surprise her by going shopping on the way home. And don’t avoid the mall. He may enjoy your company and your advice on the things he buys. It’s quality time together. Which brings us to…
9. Spend more time together: Not just in front of the TV. She take her out to dinner or to the movies. Plan a surprise weekend retreat away from the kids. Sign up for yoga or dance classes. Try baking a cake together or any hobby or craft project. Being a couple, even at home.
10. Be Kind, Considerate, and Generous: Whether it’s the way you treat the family dog, your mother-in-law, or that obnoxious neighbor, try to be more forgiving or more tolerant. If his wife spends too much, suggest that she buy more things on sale instead of interrupting her. Involve her in her budget and make her an economic partner. Be the best person you can be.

There are only ten ways to be a better man. Those of you reading this can probably find enough others to fill a filing cabinet. But this article was meant to make you think. Some women I know print it out and show it to their husbands with a “look I told you so” note attached. That’s fair and a good place to start. But I might suggest that you pick just one of these to start with and work on that until you get the hang of it. That could be the perfect way to create that perfect man.