We all need great friends, but you need to be one to get them. People want to surround themselves with people who make their life better and who build them up. Becoming a better friend will make you a better person in general. It's effects will ripple throughout everything you do.

To be a better friend you have to up your support factor. You need to support the dreams and goals of others even if they aren't necessarily what you'd do if you were in their shoes. After all, this is not about you. Support your friend's goals by pointing out their positive past achievements and doing what you can to make current goals a reality.

Never talk badly about a friend. It doesn't matter if you are saying rude things to their face or behind their back. This kind of action degrades a friendship and only makes you look bad. Focus on your friend's positive side and make a mental note to build them up even when they are not in earshot. This will have some very positive effects on your relationship with them.

Repeat the good and ignore the bad. If you've heard something bad about your friend from someone else, do not repeat it. On the other hand, if you've heard rave reviews about them, tell them straight away. Far too often we are inclined to pass on the bad and ignore the good. This is a terrible thing to do. After all, people most often remember the messenger and not the message.

Being a better friend takes honest effort. It's not something you can fake your way through. It will take some time and it will definitely take some getting used to if you are an overly critical person. It might help to explain your intentions to your friend before you start. This will smooth the way for changes and give them an open heart towards what you are trying to accomplish.