Before you start the hunt, it’s helpful to know what you’re looking for as long as you’re open to finding the ultimate lifelong companion.

If your search for Miss Right is only leading you to lonely nights in front of the TV, maybe it’s time to break down those preconceptions about who Miss Right should be.

Who is Miss Right?

While it’s great to have fun dating, it’s not enough to just randomly go out without any game plan. Searching for your perfect woman just won’t yield the results you’re hoping for. You need to know what Miss Right means to you. Get in touch with your inner man and have a conversation with him to see what you really want from your ideal woman.

In other words, Dater, know yourself.

At the risk of stating the obvious, every man has different needs when it comes to relationships. Let’s face it; if you are 35 years old and still living at home, you need to find a woman who is okay with some dependency issues and patient with your situation.

Keep these points in mind when evaluating what Miss Right means to you.

Rate her character traits
Understand what personality traits you tend to have. Are you a man who values loyalty above all else? If you are a workaholic who is always on the go, should you really be looking for someone who expects you to be home all the time? Make sure you don’t put a woman on a pedestal before you really understand who you are and what you need.

Accept that she will not be perfect
If you’re not a narcissist, you’ve probably figured out that you have flaws. And she will, too. Remember that scene in Good Will Hunting where Robin Williams’ character Will (Matt Damon) tells you that it’s not whether a woman is perfect, it’s whether a man and a woman are perfect for each other? That’s sage advice.