I'm going to be be a better friend

While I'm busy making new friends, I need to remember that I still need to nurture the old ones. This is the plan that I've come to in order to maintain these important relationships:

1. KEEP IN TOUCH - Friends should be a priority; schedule regular lunch dates or catch-up sessions, no matter how busy you are.
2. KNOW THEIR BUSINESS - Keep track of important events and show your support. Call or email to let them know you're thinking of them.
3. SPEAK YOUR MIND - Tell friends (politely) if something they did really upset you. If you can't be totally honest, then you need to reexamine the relationship.
4. ACCEPT FLAWS - No one is perfect, so work around quirks to cut down on frustration.
5. BOOST EGO - Heartfelt compliments make everyone feel great, so tell them how much you love their new sweater or what a great job they did on a work project.

GOAL FOR 2010 - maintain and strengthen all old friendships. Wish me luck!