An expert on aging offers some tips on things you can do to be a better friend and attract more friends. Anthny Cirillo, a consultant and professional speaker who lives in North Carolina, offers these suggestions:
Be a good listener. Friendship is less about you and more about the other person.
Be interested in other people. Focus on finding out about them by asking thoughtful questions.
Be positive. Positive friends add emotional and health benefits to your life. People who can put it all in perspective and move on are often the ones that have an easier time making friends.
Be proactive about helping friends. Be ready to help friends through a difficult time. Friendships sometimes end when one person experiences a rough patch and feels that the other person just wasn’t there for them. When a friend is hurting, reach out before your friend needs to ask you for help.
Engage with the people you meet. Make an effort to talk to five people per day. The conversations don’t have to be long or involved, but by actively engaging others you will be more aware when a new friendship opportunity arises.
Be genuinely happy for your friends. Don’t get competitive with your friends. Life isn’t a race. Celebrate your friend’s accomplishments as if they were your own.
Cirillo, president of The Aging Experience, says isolation and loneliness can lead to negative health consequences. He says everyone needs to do their part in staying connected to family and friends.