Everyone has friends. The problem is that our friends are not always good friends. Studies show that having healthy relationships make growing old more enjoyable, and provides the opportunity to help you to reach personal goals, among other things. Friendships have a HUGE impact on your life and your personality. As Jim Rohn famously said, “You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” This article helps us to identify the characteristics we should look for in a friend!Our friends should have the character traits of:

1. Honesty. We do not need friends just to tell us that we are right all of the time. Instead, we need people who will push past our feelings and let us know the truth. If you have friends that are never honest or do not hold you accountable you will not grow. You can, in turn, become stagnant.
2. Motivation. Each of our friends should be motivated in their own lives. They should be individuals who have a go-getter mentality. Friends who become complacent or accepting of mediocrity will not push themselves. This can, in turn, roll over to us and reduce our motivation. In addition to our friends being motivated in their own lives, they should help to motivate us.
3. Support. Having support in a peer relationship is pivotal. This does not simply mean they should help you financially. This mean they should support your endeavors by encouraging you, by helping you with ideas etc. You want friends who use their support as a way to invest in your growth.
4. Dependability. This means that you can count on your friend. You know that without a doubt your friend will be there through thick and thin. You also know that they will come through in rough times. Dependability has been identified as the most vital characteristic a friend can have.

5. Trustworthiness. Being trustworthy is comprised of several components, including honesty, dependability, and loyalty. It is one of the most important components to a successful friendship. Any breach of a person’s trust, regardless of how big or small it is, can devastate a relationship. You need to be able to trust your friends with your deepest secrets.

  What other characteristics are important in your friendships?