Being a man used to be something very simple. You learned two things early on: fight to defend yourself and hunt to feed. Who did this very well, got along very well. And took the girl home.

 

That was the basic criterion when the father considered a boy to marry his daughter. And she too. In many cases, love was secondary. You didn’t hear women detailing a long list of attributes they wanted in a future husband: “He has to be affectionate, humorous, likes to go for walks, romantic, considerate, smells good, loves animals, accepts me for who I am, takes me in the lap when I’m tired, notice when I change my hair, sensitive, good conversationalist, friend, dress well…”

 

None of that.

“Can you and are you ready to protect me with your life? Can you support me as well as or better than my father? Then put a ring here…” Simple as that.

 

Being a man in the 21st century is another story. The world changed. Women have changed. And many men still have their heads in the back. The result of this is there to be watched in 3D: men displaced, unprepared and discredited.

 

Introducing the Intellimen

 

You may already have guessed that the project name is a combination of the words intelligent and men. We chose this name because besides sounding like a superhero, which every man secretly aspired to be since he was a kid, it perfectly embodies the project’s aims: to build up intelligent and better men in everything.

 

For now, the project will focus on making regular men better. “Making men better” will be our motto. Being intelligent men, our mission. Let’s walk together, learn from each other. But expect CHALLENGES. We will challenge you to be better in all areas of your life.

 

And to be an IntelliMen, you must never run away from the challenges nor fail to complete them. Above all, you need the key ingredient to all learning: humility. If you do not recognise that you need to improve, we cannot help you. Even if you are already strong and successful in many things, you must understand that:

 

No one will succeed by strength alone. 1 Samuel 2.9

 

It takes more than muscles to be a man. Character, intelligence and faith are more important.

 

Let us now turn to the basic questions about the project and how to participate.
 

1. What is IntelliMen?

 

It is a group exclusively for men who want to be better in all areas of their lives. Men helping men, sharing what is good, working hard to improve every day — and having fun while doing it.

 

2. Who can participate?

 

Men of any age who are willing to submit to the rules of the group, detailed in our Manifesto.

 

3. How can I participate?

 

Read this entire Manifesto carefully, understand its conditions, commit to the project, and complete the weekly challenges that will be given to the group every Sunday.

 

4. Where can I join?

 

Anywhere in the world. The IntelliMen is not limited to a city, state or country. All you need is to have access to the Internet to interact with group’s blog and social networks.

 

5. What do I do now?

 

Read the Conditions below to join and, if you accept them, begin working on the first Challenge immediately.

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6. Conditions to Join

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1. Be humble to learn and be guided by the group.

2. Have total commitment to the completion of all tasks and challenges within the set deadlines.

 

3. Practice the spirit of sharing, especially being active on the group’s social networks and blog.

 

4. Make your best efforts to attend the official events of the group in your area that may occur from time to time.

 

5. Maintain respect and good humor with everyone in the group.

 

6. Represent the group well at all times by giving a good example of behavior and character.

 

7. Promote the group to other men and encourage them to participate — starting by choosing an Official Buddy (explained in Challenge #1).

 

8. Your constructive criticism is welcome by the group organisers. However, comments intended to disparage the group will result in your exclusion.

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9. Yes, we reserve the right to exclude you with or without explanation, though we hope we may never need to use that right.

 

10. If you start, finish it. There are 52 Challenges, one per week, for a year. If you are not fully committed to see it to the end, do not start. Here, giving up is not smart.

 

7. Using the group name correctly
 

IntelliMen — two L’s and the capital M in the middle.

Make sure to use it correctly.

Attention to the singular variant of the name. IntelliMen (plural) refers to the group as a whole. IntelliMan (singular) refers to a single member of the group. For example:

 

– I’ve just joined the IntelliMen.

– I am an IntelliMan.

 

Still unsure? Read below more stories of how the IntelliMen project is helping men everywhere.