Tips for Building Strong Friendships

1. Love and accept yourself

2. Be willing to pursue intimacy
It requires honesty
Risk is unavoidable
Trust is essential
Confrontation is inevitable

3. Put energy into being likable
Smile often
Listen more than you talk
Be positive

4. Treat others as you would have them treat you
DON’T be controlling, critical or crabby
DO be courteous, caring and complimentary

5. Focus on the interests of others, not yourself
"Friendship without self interest is one of the rare and beautiful things in life." - James Francis Byrnes

6. Make your goal to understand, not to win

7. Be slow to anger and quick to forgive
"Every man should have a fair-sized cemetery in which to bury the faults of his friends." - Henry Brooks Adams

8. Be generous with others

9. Help others succeed
Help them discover their strengths
Help them achieve their goals
Believe in them

10. Be loyal
"Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation." - George Washington, 1732-1799
"I can never think of promoting my convenience at the expense of a friend's interest and inclination." - George Washington

Peace,

Stan