How to Expand your Network of Friends

1.    Don’t isolate yourself and mingle with new people.
Get out and make friends. Meet and discover new people who share the same interest or hobby as you do. Attending parties, social gatherings or concerts is a good opportunity to meet new and interesting people. Search for people with varied interests who will gladly introduce you to a lot of new things. Be confident in meeting new acquaintances. Walk up to them confidently while gaining their respect at the same time.

2.    Initiate a conversation.
Starting a conversation with somebody you don’t know may be a hard thing to do, but you will never know if you get along well, unless you talk to each other. However, things will be a lot easier if you have previously seen one another in any event, although you didn’t necessarily talk. Like for example, you have met someone in one of the sports arenas you once attended, it will then give you a clue that you probably share a common interest. In that situation, you can use that instance to strike up a conversation with talking about the experience or asking for his or her comments.

3.    Be a good listener.
Communication is a two-way process. If the other one speaks, the other one listens. So if you want to be appreciated by your friends, you need to be a good listener. In that way also, when it is your turn to do the talking, you will also have a bunch of listeners paying full attention. Develop an eye contact too and avoid unnecessary gestures showing disinterest. Stay courteous and appreciative of others.

4.    Like yourself first if you want others to like you.
Point out things that you like about yourself because if you do, it will be easier for others to like you back. It matters a lot because you will have a different projection of yourself like if you feel pity on yourself; you are most likely to elicit sympathy instead of friendship.

5.    Be honest about yourself
Be honest with your ideas, opinions, values and beliefs. Do not hold back. Who knows, you might find prospective pals who share the same thoughts as you have. You don’t have to change the way you are. You know yourself so don’t do things against your will just to fit in the group or please your friends. They are not your true friends if they push you with something you do not like. Just be yourself and stay natural. Laugh or cry if you want.

6.    Keep a smile on your face.
You will attract more friends with just a smile because you will appear to be a person who is having fun. Smiling can also add up to your personality. Smile and reciprocate those who smile back at you. Do not fake your smile though as it will be very obvious and can drive your friends away.  

7.    Give friendship a chance to develop over time.
Friendship does not prosper overnight. So give friendship time to develop. Do not force things in a rush because they might just end up slipping out of your will. In that situation, a probable friendship might be wasted.

8.    Introduce yourself at the right time and at the right place.
Select an appropriate time to introduce yourself. You wouldn’t want to interrupt a serious conversation and appear to be assertive or offensive.

9.    Be safe.
Be vigilant and never trust immediately. Do not offer to give him or her your contact number or any sensitive information if you feel uncomfortable or something is wrong. Sometimes, it pays to trust your instincts.

Having a great circle of friends is all part of the journey of life. We all need somebody to turn to in times of need. If you do not have friends around, life would be dull, boring and meaningless. There would be nobody to lift you up when you’re down, nobody to laugh with you at your crankiest jokes and nobody to celebrate with you when you’re happy. You only get to live one life so, make the best out of it. Enjoy the adventures with your friends of what life has to offer. Some may have a hard time gaining friends while others are gifted to quickly connect with other people. However, no matter what it is, there are still a lot of fishes out in the ocean. A lot of people are still out there, waiting to get to know you and want to be your friend. So get out and win a friend!