6 ways to manage your time on social media.

6 Ways To Manage Your Time On 

Social Media 

Social Media! The average millennial's best friend, the tool that was put in place for us to use but always ends up using us!

Okay before I go on sounding like a poet that I'm not, we can all agree that social media can be our very own bane without proper usage and management and to think that there are so many of them now!

Personally, a tangible part of the money I dont have I have in Jesus name goes to the purchase of data just to be updated on what's happening on the gram, who just got jammed on Twitter, etc. Dont even get me started on these service providers that know how to chop your money 😑

Asides these trivial purposes, as a blogger I have more pressing issues like making and promoting posts, maintaining a credible online presence,etc.

So how do we really get around all these?

This post brings to you ways of managing your time on social media so that it doesn't suck you into oblivion and leave you unproductive.


Let's get to it! Shall we?

1) Planning and Organizing: When you successfully plan out all you have to do on the internet and stick to that plan, it is one step easier to managing your time on social media. You will be able to allocate the time to spend on each tool, that will also aid productivity.

2) Prioritize: After mapping out your plans, now you decide which one of these tools require the most attention, don't forget your actual work off the net as well!

3) Track Your Time Online: It's not enough to just allocate a particular time to your work on social media, you also have to track the time because it has a way of luring you away from being productive. I know that sometimes our hands have a mind of its own, for instance if my plan is just to make post instagram, I won't know when my hands will wander to the explore option or instastories and like that, a 15 minutes time frame turns to 30 minutes and before anything else, MTN will tell you that your data balance is remaining 360mb 😕
My point is allocate the time for everything, to make post, to comment, to send DMs and stick to it. Not easy at all but let's work towards it.

4) Use Your Networks Productively: This is very important. Nowadays, a lot of people have been able to make money of social media despite the fact that it can be disadvantageous. How then do these people do it? Identify the networks that work effectively for you, your brand or your business and use it productively. Which networks do you get very good responses from your audience? Focus on these selected few, brush up on your communication and networking skills and get to work.

5) Get Rid Of Some Apps You Don't Really Need: We all know that some of these social media applications are not really important as such, they just take space on our phones and eventually in our heads. It will really do us good if we can actually focus on the apps we NEED rather than the ones we just see all our friends downloading.

6) Stop Procastinating Your Actual Work: I always wondered what happened before the advent of social media, but whether a like it or not, there was life before it and there's still life outside it now- some of us tend to forget sometimes. We keep pushing our actual work just to 'quickly' spend a few 'minutes' on social media. We all know how that usually turns out. When you have work to do, do it before you go and check who has liked and commented on your new post, there will be time for that later.

Oh and one more thing, create time for your actual life, you know the one where you have visible family and friends, where you can call people instead of just chatting with them (ugh! I'm so guilty of this😭)
May God help us!

Over to You...

Do you have a social media routine? How do you stick to it? I would love to know your thoughts.

SARCASM... Sorry But Sarcastic People are Actually Smarter Than You Are

Sarcasm, as they say, is the ability to insult stupid people without them realizing it. In some cases, sarcasm is a means of indirectly expressing aggression toward others or insecurity about oneself, as psychology today puts it. In other cases, it’s more of a secret shield from all the moronic buffoons in the world – a sort of a “true lie that listeners won’t always comprehend as being insincere. It’s a private joke that can save you from annoying and aggravating situations, providing a respite in humor even in the crappiest situations. So are sarcastic people just certified smart asses, or are we more intelligent (at least on an emotional level) than non-sarcastic people?

A university investigation shows that the ability to understand sarcasm depends on a carefully orchestrated sequence of complex cognitive skills in specific parts of the brain. "Sarcasm is related to our ability to understand other people's mental state. It's not just a linguistic form, it's also related to social cognition." Research revealed that areas of the brain that decipher sarcasm and irony also process language, recognize emotions and help us understand social cues.  "understanding other people's state of mind and emotions is related to our ability to understand sarcasm." 

Sarcasm seems to exercise the brain more than sincere statements do. Scientists who have monitored the electrical activity of the brains of test subjects exposed to sarcastic statements have found that brains have to work harder to understand sarcasm. There is actually a three-stage neural pathway in our brains that enables us to understand irony.

First the language center in the brain's left hemisphere interprets the literal meaning of words. Next, the frontal lobes and right hemisphere process the speaker's intention and check for contradictions between the literal meaning and the social and emotional context. Finally, the right ventromedial prefrontal cortex - our sarcasm meter - makes a decision based on our social and emotional knowledge of the situation.

According to a study in University of Abuja, The students were better able to solve problems creatively when the complaints were sarcastic as opposed to just plain angry. According to the study’s authors, sarcasm “appears to stimulate complex thinking and to attenuate the otherwise negative effects of anger.

So the students who recognized sarcasm had a better developed “theory of mind – an ability to see beyond the literal meaning of the words, and understand that the speaker may be referring to something entirely different. For example, a theory of mind allows you to realize that when your girlfriend says “nice pants when you have a giant hole in your crotch, she means just the opposite, that bitch.

Sarcasm requires a series of “mental gymnastics. Sarcastic, satirical or ironic statements all compel the brain to “think beyond the literal meaning of the words and understand that the speaker may be thinking of something entirely different. Studies have shown that exposure to sarcasm enhances creative problem solving. Thus, over time, this increased bulk of cognitive-expenditure doesn’t go to waste. Chin describes active sarcasm use as a means of “mental exercise. Just like training your muscles, if you do 50 push-ups a day, over time, your arms are bound to be toned. So sarcasm, as a form of “mental exercise, or "mental gymnastics" functions the same way. Over time, that “extra work brought forth by sarcasm leaves our brains toned, too.

Some language experts suggest sarcasm is used as a sort of gentler insult, a way to tone down criticism with indirectness and humor. Other researchers have found that the mocking, smug, superior nature of sarcasm is perceived as more hurtful than a plain-spoken criticism; in fact, the Greek root for sarcasm, sarkazein, means to tear flesh like dogs. 

But that all depends on who you're talking to. Without sarcasm, what other shield do we have from stupid people?

Psax

TBOSS BROTHER FINALLY REACTED TO THE ALLEGATIONS THAT HE BEATS WOMEN

- TBoss’ brother has finally reacted to allegations that he beats women - This is coming after he was called out for allegedly beating up his university girlfriend - He also gave examples of how rumors are started NAIJ.com had earlier reported that Christopher Idowu the younger brother of ex Big Brother Naija contestant TBoss was accused by three ladies on Instagram of being a woman beater.

The women also accused him of getting his then girlfriend named Dammy to abort for him. Christopher has finally responded to the accusations denying that he has ever laid his hands on a woman.

Wendy, TBoss and their little brother Christopher

"Now ladies if I have ever beat you before hands up . Comment here, post a picture with me/you together and tell the world your experience, let's see if by the end of today anyone can do that. Everyone else don't comment, let's see who comes out." He further gave examples of how rumors are started:

This is coming after Christopher came out to attack popular comedian AY after he ‘embarrassed’ TBoss at his recently held comedy show. AY has since apologized for his action.

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Gemians also have some other programs planned out to help benefit students. The whole essence of all this is to help students gain more knowledge and be more richer and more exposed. The country we are in  today, getting a perfect job with what you studied in school is almost impossible, gemians help student do things while in school so even after school, the can actually improve on these things and possibly earn a living from them. The ultimate goal is to develop students in their passion.

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RELATIONSHIP PROBLEMS.

It's the rare couple that doesn't run into a few bumps in the road. If you recognize ahead of time, though, what those relationship problems might be, you'll have a much better chance of getting past them.

Even though every relationship has its ups and downs, successful couples have learned how to manage the bumps and keep their love life going. They hang in there, tackle problems, and learn how to work through the complex issues of everyday life. Many do this by reading self-help books and articles, attending seminars, going to counseling, observing other successful couples, or simply using trial and error.

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Relationship Problem: Communication

All relationship problems stem from poor communication, "You can't communicate while you're checking your iphone, watching TV, or flipping through the sports section," 

Problem-solving strategies:

• Make an actual appointment with each other, Shimberg says. If you live together, put the cell phones on vibrate, put the kids to bed, and let voicemail pick up your calls.
• If you can't "communicate" without raising your voices, go to a public spot like the library, park, or restaurant where you'd be embarrassed if anyone saw you screaming.
• Set up some rules. Try not to interrupt until your partner is through speaking, or ban phrases such as "You always ..." or "You never ...."
• Use body language to show you're listening. Don’t doodle, look at your watch, or pick at your nails. Nod so the other person knows you're getting the message, and rephrase if you need to. For instance, say, "What I hear you saying is that you feel as though you have more chores at home, even though we're both working." If you're right, the other can confirm. If what the other person really meant was, "Hey, you're a slob and you create more work for me by having to pick up after you," he or she can say so, but in a nicer way.

HOW TO GET OUT OF THE FRIENDZONE

Every guy has been there once in our lives, but its time to man up and try to get out of the friend zone, especially if you really like the girl. This article might not help you, it just might point you in the right direction.

Steps

1. 
   
   1
   It's hard! But it will take time for her to realize if she really likes you. If you get put into the friend zone, it might not be your fault. Maybe she's just not ready for something serious yet. Or, she may have a boyfriend.
2. 
   2
   Don't text! Ring!. If you ring her more than you text her, it may be good for is your confidence, because she will likely take it as your friend.
3. 
   3
   Don't Call her friend! Especially if you want to get into a relationship with her, and get out of the friend zone.
4. 
   4
   Don't call her by any cute terminology! No matter how much you want to, this will just push you further into the friend zone!
5. 
   5
   Don't give her as many compliments as you used to! No matter how much you want to, she will take notice of the ones you do give, and she will more likely to return the compliments to you.
6. 
   6
   Have the balance of being nice guy and a bad boy! The nice guy approach is good sometimes, but with some girls the nice guy gets nowhere. All girls are different and the 'bad boy' doesn't always work out all the time, either...
7. 
   7
   What If she calls you friend, bud, or anything platonic, just ignore it, especially if you like her or even love her. This is hard if you and her are close friends
8. 
   8
   Don't always agree with her. agree in a couple of things, this is good.. if you agree with her all the time, it means that she's winning, not you.
9. 
   9
   Tell her how you feel! Be honest about your feelings, see what she thinks, and hopefully someday you two will be in a relationship. Although, don't worry yet, this is a hard task that may take some time!
10. 
    10
    Don't just sit around thinking about her. Get a plan, and make her yours!
11. 
    11
    If this fails, Try moving on. There are plenty of fish in the sea, have confidence. And most of all enjoy life, don't let her hold you back!

HOW TO BE SOCIAL

Being social can help you build meaningful connections, come out of your shell, and feel less isolated. You don't even have to be a social butterfly in order to talk to people. All you need is good instincts, confidence, and some basic conversational skills. Once you're comfortable talking to people, you can work on making plans with them and spending more time socializing. If you want to know how to be social, see Step 1 to be on your way.

Making Conversation

1. Let go of your fear of rejection. One of the reasons that people can tend to feel antisocial is because they’re afraid of being rejected if they make an effort to hang out with people. Sure, this can happen, and we’ve all felt the sting of trying to chat with someone only to have that person be rude or turn away. But don’t let this fear stop you from saying hi to people, inviting people to hang out with you, or trying to make small talk with someone you don’t know very well. The fact of the matter is, most people are pretty kind once you give them a chance; as for the people who may not warm to your attempts at conversation, they’re not worth it anyway.
   

   • Though it may sound corny, you never know until you try. If you try to hang out with someone and they turn you down, then you’re no worse off than you were before. However, if that person wants to hang out with you, then you’re on the way to gaining a friend. There are far more benefits to trying to hang out with someone than drawbacks, so what’s the harm in trying?
   • All of us face rejection in our lives. If you face rejection from time to time, you’ll only be working on developing maturity and thick skin; life is all about how you respond to rejection, instead of trying to avoid it.
   • Just take a deep breath, relax, and remind yourself that the worst that can happen when you try to be social is that the person doesn’t want to be social back. Is that really a tragedy? It may feel like one, but in the scheme of things, someone turning you down will only be a minor setback.
2. 
   
   Have approachable body language. One simple way to be more social is to look more approachable to the people you might interact with. If you stand with an open posture, keep your hands at your sides instead of folded across your chest, and make eye contact with people when they talk to you, then you’ll be much more approachable than if you were hunched over, totally absorbed in your cell phone, or fidgeting with the bottom of your sweater. If you have a positive look on your face and a friendly demeanor, then people will be much more likely to talk to you and to think you want to talk to them.
   

   • You may have closed-off body language without even knowing it. If you’re shy, then it’s natural for you to retreat into your shell as a way of warding people off. Work on opening up your body little by little, facing people instead of turning away from them, and looking like you want people to talk to you instead of like you want to be left alone.
   • Just making an effort of smiling more can have a huge impact. If people see you as friendly, they’ll be much more likely to ask you questions or to strike up a conversation with you.
3. 
   
   Make small talk. As the saying goes, there’s nothing small about small talk. You may feel like you’re allergic to talking to people about the weather or the local sports team, but this is the way you can begin to develop a more serious bond and to get to know people on a deeper level. While you may want to jump right into a discussion of whether or not there’s a God or about your complicated relationship with your mother, you’ll need to be able to make more superficial conversation with people before you can get to a deeper level. Don’t think that you’re above small talk or that you have no time for it; instead, think of it as a way of moving towards truly getting to know people. Here are some pointers for making small talk:
   

   • Okay, so maybe talking about the weather isn’t the most exciting thing in the world. But you can use the weather to talk about more interesting topics. For example, if someone complains about how the rain has kept them cooped up all weekend, you can ask if they had time to watch something good on TV; use it as an excuse to bring up your favorite movie or TV show.
   • If a person is wearing an unusual piece of jewelry, you can compliment it and see if there’s a story behind it. Maybe it’ll lead into a discussion of how that person’s grandmother gave it to them, or of how that person got her Murano glass necklace in Italy, which is a place where you’ve been dying to go.
   • When you make small talk, avoid asking yes or no questions that can cut a conversation short. Instead, ask questions that require a longer answer. Instead of asking, “Did you do anything fun this weekend?” you can ask, “What did you do over the weekend?” so the person has more room to talk.
   • Avoid asking overly personal questions at first. Stick to the easy topics, such as hobbies, sports, bands, or pets, and wait for the person to open up a bit.
4. 
   
   Be interested, not interesting. You may think that the best way to be social is to make people think that you’re an awesome person who they need to spend more time with. Well, this certainly couldn’t hurt, but the fact of the matter is, people are much more likely to want to socialize with people who are interested in them, instead of people who are just interesting in general. While you can certainly reveal information about yourself, one way to socialize more is to show a real interest in people by asking them questions and showing that you care about their lives. Here are some things you can ask them about:
   

   • Their favorite bands, sports teams, movies, or TV shows
   • Their hobbies or interests outside of work or school
   • Favorite places that they’ve traveled
   • If they have any pets
   • How they like the place where they live
   • How their interview/basketball game/weekend trip was
   • Their plans for the weekend, the summer, or the holiday break
5. 
   
   Embrace new people. People who have trouble being social are usually afraid, distrustful, or just skeptical about new people. They may think that new people have nothing to offer them and that they are better off sticking to the familiar. Well, you should think that, to new people, you are certainly worth getting to know – and that you’re a new person to somebody. Instead of being skeptical of new people until they prove themselves to you, try to assume that most people have good intentions and give them the benefit of the doubt. If you approach new people as potential friends instead of potential enemies, you’ll be on your way to being much more social.
   

   • If you’re standing around in a group and see someone you don’t know, introduce yourself instead of awkwardly smiling at or looking away from that person. Everyone will be impressed by your initiative.
   • If you see a new person who doesn’t know anyone, go out of your way to make that person feel comfortable. This is a basic kindness that won’t go unnoticed.
6. 
   
   Learn to read people. Another way to be social when you talk to people is to learn to read them, even when they are saying the opposite of how they feel. You should become a master at decoding body language, and should be able to tell how a person is feeling just from how that person is standing or by the look on his face when he’s not talking. If someone is telling you that he’s doing fine, but you can see that his eyes are puffy or that his clothes look a bit disheveled, then you may find that he actually needs a helping hand.
   

   • To make conversation with people, you should go beyond the surface and try to see what the person is really trying to tell you. If you’re in a group and one person is trying to back away or looking around, then he may be bored and uncomfortable and may need some help.
   • If you’re talking to someone who keeps checking the time, or shifting from foot to foot, then that person may be late or anxious; it’s okay to say that you see that the person has a lot going on and that you look forward to chatting later.

EditBuilding Connections

1. Reach out to your current acquaintances. You may think that you have trouble being social because you don’t know a single person worth socializing with or that there’s no one around who would want to hang out with you. That’s where you’re wrong! Your life is full of potential friends, and it’s up to you to seek them out. You may not realize that the girl who sits behind you in math, the guy on your swim team, or even your neighbor, could end up being one of your best friends. Seek out people you know a little bit and ask them to grab a coffee or to hang out in a low-key setting. You’ll soon be on your way to making new friends.
   

   • Don’t be shy. Asking someone to hang out in a low-pressure way, such as grabbing coffee or going to an interesting lecture or movie together, isn’t a big deal. You’re not inviting someone to prom or asking them to marry you. It’s just asking for a bit of time.
   • Think about it: is there someone in your life who seems cool, and who you’re always wishing you knew a little better? What’s the worst that can happen when you approach that person?
2. Find new hobbies or interests. Another way to build connects with more people is to take up a new hobby or an interest. This can be in your school, at work, or in your community. You can take a yoga class and befriend the person on the mat next to yours. You can join a rec volleyball team and make friends with the people on your team. You can take an art class and find a few people who share your interests. The more you put yourself out there, the more likely you are to connect with people who interest you.
   

   • If you spend more time doing something you care about, you are also more likely to make friends with the people around you because they’ll share your interests. Even if you’re just developing a passion for a new hobby, you may find someone who shares that common bond.
   • Finding new hobbies or interests will also help you become more social simply because you’ll get in the habit of stepping out of your comfort zone and putting yourself out there more, which is exactly what you need to do to be social.
3. 
   
   Offer more invitations. People who are social are always inviting people to hang out with them. You don’t have to throw a huge party to extend more invitations to people. Don’t be shy about asking people to hang out with you and work on thinking of something you could ask people to do with you. Just smile, extend the invitation, and make it clear that it’s no big deal if the person is too busy to hang out. Here are some ways you can extend invitations for people to hang out with you:
   

   • Ask someone in your class to be part of a study group with you
   • Invite someone you know to do some work in a coffee shop with you
   • If someone you know shares your love for a certain band or actress, invite that person to a concert or a movie
   • Ask a coworker to step out for lunch or coffee with you
   • Organize a happy hour at work
   • Invite a few people over to watch a popular TV show, such as Orange is the New Black, and order some pizza
   • Organize an informal softball, basketball, or soccer game
   • Ask a friend to help you run a poetry reading at your home or in a coffee shop
4. 
   
   Accept more invitations. If you’re worried about being social, then chances are that you’re the kind of person who tends to turn down any invitations you are given. Though you shouldn’t hang out with people who make you uncomfortable, you should work on giving people a chance. If someone invites you out to a study session, party, or happy hour, instead of instinctively saying no, you should give it a shot. If you really don’t have a good time there, then you can always leave – no one will be forcing you to stay. Half of success in life comes from just showing up.
   

   • If you’re really nervous about accepting an invitation because you’re not quite sure what to expect, try to ask a few questions to get the lay of the land so you feel more comfortable. If you’re invited to a party, see if anyone else you know will be there. If you’re invited to a concert, ask what the venue is like. If you feel like you have more of an idea of what to expect, you’ll be less nervous about the opportunity.
5. 
   
   Spend more time out of the house. Though you may not wander into an instant party the second you step out of the house, you definitely won’t have a chance to be more social if you’re cooped up indoors. Just being outside gives you the chance to strike up a conversation or to meet someone new. Instead of studying at home, go to a coffee shop, where you might start a conversation with the person sitting next to you. Going out to grab some tea or lunch will give you the opportunity to run into someone you know, and to sit down together for a few minutes. The more time you spend out in the world, the more likely you’ll be to connect with someone.
   

   • Just being out in the world will help you form a habit of being around other people. The more time you spend around other people, the more you’ll get used to greeting people, making small talk, and alleviating any social anxiety you may have.
   • Also, just being out in the world, getting some sunlight and fresh air, will make you feel less isolated and more likely to connect with other people. It can be hard to socialize when you’re used to being on your own.
6. 
   
   Be more involved at your workplace or school. If you want to build more connections with people, then one of the best ways to go about it is to be more involved in your workplace or your school. If you have a job, try to get involved in organizing happy hours, holiday parties, work volunteering events, or Sunday softball leagues. There should be a committee you can join or an event that you can help run, which should help you get to know more people. As far as school goes, joining the newspaper, yearbook, student council, or soccer or tennis team can also help you feel more involved and to get to know more people.
   

   • Even if doing these things doesn’t help you instantly make a best friend, it’ll help you learn to work closely with other people, to be part of a team, and to have daily social interactions with people.
   • You don’t have to run for president if you join the student council. Start small, and join the school spirit committee or another aspect of the organization that can help you have an impact without being in the spotlight.
7. 
   
   Avoid building all of your social connections on the Internet. Okay, so if you’re part of a meaningful online community where you truly exchange ideas with people who share your interests, then great. But if you’re the kind of person who spends hours on Facebook, g-chat, Twitter, or other forms of social media or interaction without actually talking to anyone in person, then you may have a problem. Though having someone like your photo or posting a comment on someone’s Facebook wall can bring you some momentary joy, it won’t substitute having a meaningful interaction with someone in-person.
   

   • In fact, socializing too much on social media can hold you back from having real interactions in person; avoid using social media as a crutch and spend more time talking to people face-to-face.
   • You can use Facebook to be in touch with people, but make sure you message them to hang out in person, use it to invite people to real events, and generally make an effort to meet up with people outside of the Internet. Otherwise, you won’t be truly socializing – you’ll only be taking superficial measures to feel connected with people.

EditMaking Relationships Last

1. 
   
   Give yourself time to come out of your shell. Though building connections and learning to engage in meaningful conversation is important, you also have to know how to go beyond the surface and to really make relationships last. The key here is that this part takes time, and that even social butterflies may not make meaningful connections all the time. The important thing is that you give yourself time to open up and to come out of your shell instead of expecting that you’ll have five BFFs after a month. Have patience with yourself and the people around you and know that it will take a while to build meaningful friendships.
   

   • First, you may just be at the acquaintance level with someone, and after a few cups of coffee or a lunch date, you may call that person your friend. After a few months, you may start to really open up to each other, and soon enough, that person will be one of your nearest and dearest. But if you rush the relationship, it may fizzle out; instead, expect that it’ll take some time to make true friends.
2. 
   
3. Stay in touch with people. Another way to build meaningful social connections is to stay in touch with the people that matter to you. Sure, making small talk and going to a few parties can help you get to know people, but if you want to stay friends, you can’t just fall off the grid. If you turn down three or four invitations from someone, then that person may give up on you. If you don’t answer your phone or respond to text messages, then your relationships will fizzle out. However, if you make an effort to check in with your friends at least once a week, to make plans routinely, and to let people know you’re thinking of them, then you’ll be on your way to making real social bonds.
   

   • Though you don’t have to always be around, you don’t want to develop a reputation for being a flake, either. If you want to build real relationships with people, then they have to feel like they can depend on you.
4. Put dates on your calendar. Another way to make your relationships with people last is to simply force yourself to fill your calendar with social endeavors. Now, you don’t have to force yourself to hang out with people every day of the week, but you should make plans at least once or twice a week so you maintain a social life. Just saying that you’ll be at a party or concert and putting it on your calendar can go a long way in making you feel like your social life is developing in a meaningful way. Once the dates are down on your calendar, you’ve made a commitment, and it’s important to stick to it.
   

   • If you’re having a really busy week, then see if you can combine a social situation with something you have to do. Maybe invite a friend to study for your history exam with you or ask her to join you in the weekly yoga class you’ve committed to.
   • Of course, it’s equally important to make time for yourself. If you’re naturally introverted or have trouble being social, then you can’t go from being alone all the time to hanging out with a million friends all the time without difficulty. Make sure you make time for “me time” and that you don’t sacrifice it for anything.
5. Aim for quality over quantity. You may think that being social means talking to a million people all day and all night. In reality, it’s more important to be social with a few people you really care about regularly instead of filling your life with a bunch of people that don’t really matter to you. Just a handful of good friends can go a long way in making you feel less alone and more outgoing. Find the people who really matter to you and commit to spending time with them.
   

   • Of course, hanging out in big groups can be fun every once in a while. You can mix that up with more intimate, one-on-one sessions with the people who are close to you.
6. Be a good listener. Another way to develop closer social bonds is to learn to truly listen to people. This means putting away your phone and other distractions when someone is talking to you, making eye contact, and not interrupting the person who is trying to tell you something. It also means remembering what the person told you so you can follow up on it later. Just sitting down with someone you care about and giving that person your time will show him or her that you’re a friend who is worth keeping.
   

   • If your friend is talking to you about a struggle she’s having, try not to compare her life to yours too much or it’ll minimize the problem. Instead, take her situation at its own face value and use your experiences to provide advice.
   • If your friend tells you that he or she has something important coming up, then you should check in before the event happens to wish him or her luck, or ask how it went. This shows that you listen and you care.
7. Show people how much they mean to you. Another way to go beyond the superficial social connections with people is to show them how much they really mean to you. This means taking the time to thank your friends for doing you favors or just letting that person know how much his or her friendship means to you. Though you may feel shy about letting people know how much you appreciate them, making this effort can go a long way in helping you develop long-lasting and important social bonds.
   

   • You can do a favor for your friend, such as picking up coffee or lunch for her, to show how much she means to you.
   • Don’t think that thank you cards are outdated. Writing one for a friend who has helped you out can really make a difference.
   • Give your friends love, positivity, and compliments. Tell them why they’re awesome, from complimenting their sense of humor to their ability to listen.