I constantly preach about the importance of nurturing your network, but there’s one very important element of our networks that often takes a backseat to the business contacts we build. That is our invaluable network of friends.

For so many of us, focusing our attention on our work life is a high priority. That’s a noble goal, but what finally happens when we’re off the clock?

We need to concentrate our efforts on developing a network of friends. I can honestly say that my friends have saved me from making big mistakes, celebrated my victories and made difficult days better by just being there. And they know I will return the favor.

I have dear lifelong friends, business friends, neighborhood friends, golf friends, office friends, friends where I worship. And so on. I confide my deepest secrets to some. I ask for advice from several. I enjoy activities with others. All have impacted my life in important ways.

Great literature, movies and music lyrics are full of references to friendship. James Taylor reminded us that when you need a helping hand, “you’ve got a friend.” Bette Midler gave us a long list of reasons why “you’ve got to have friends.” One of the most successful and longest-running television shows of all time was “Friends,” which will probably continue to run in syndication when the stars are old and gray.

Henry David Thoreau, one of America’s most famous naturalists and philosophers, gave the following definition of friendship: “A friend is one who incessantly pays us the compliment of expecting from us all the virtues, and who can appreciate them in us ... Friendship is never established as an understood relation. It is a miracle which requires constant proof. It is an exercise of the purest imagination and of the rarest faith.”

Friendship is so important that we celebrate it several times during the year. February is International Friendship Month, and Old Friends, New Friends Week is the third week of May. Congress declared a U.S. holiday in honor of friends by a proclamation in 1935. Since then, Friendship Day is celebrated every year on the first Sunday of August (it was Aug. 6 this year). And September is Friendship Month.

It might not be a Hallmark holiday, but Friendship Month is still a great time to go over some tips on how to build, nurture and maintain great friendships.

Be open -- Share your feelings honestly. Open communication is important in building lasting friendships and an unwavering support system. And don’t forget to tell your customers how much you appreciate them.

Be receptive -- No one is perfect, and there may be times when you don’t agree with your friends’ choices. Show them that you care and respect them. It’s OK to share your opinions, because both sides need to practice acceptance. The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail and not his tongue.

Make friendships a priority -- No matter how busy you get, don’t forget your friends. Friendship is a responsibility -- not an opportunity. Reconnect with old friends and continue to make new ones. Make friendship a habit, and you will always have friends.

Listen -- Part of being a true friend is listening to their problems and concerns without interrupting or always trying to fix things. Sometimes all they want is a receptive ear. Everyone hears what you say. Friends listen to what you say. Best friends listen to what you don’t say.

Express gratitude -- Don’t forget to show your appreciation for your friends and let them know how much their friendship means to you. One close friend is worth more than 1,000 acquaintances.

Considering all these points, ask yourself this: If you were another person, would you like to be a friend of yours?

Mackay’s Moral: A good friend is someone who thinks you’re a good egg even though you’re slightly cracked.

A young man was applying for a job at a big company. During the interview, the hiring manager asked if the candidate’s father had paid for his education.

The young man said that his father had passed away when he was young. He added that his mother took in laundry to pay for his schooling. He offered to help her, but his mother always told him to concentrate on his studies.

The hiring manager asked the candidate to do him a favor and go home and wash his mother’s hands and come back to see him in the morning.

The young man was confused but wanted the job, so he did as he was told. It was the first time he noticed how wrinkled and bruised his mother’s hands were. He realized this was the price his mother paid for his education and future.

The next morning, he returned to the hiring manager, who inquired, “Did you do as I asked, and what did you learn?”

The young man nodded and said, “I learned appreciation. Without my mother, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I also learned the importance and value of family relationships.”

The manager said, “This is what I’m looking for -- someone who can appreciate the help of others and who doesn’t think money is the only goal in life. You’re hired.”

Appreciation is an essential need for all of us. Who doesn’t want to be appreciated? Feeling genuinely appreciated lifts people up and makes them feel happy. It also makes you happy when you witness how you made a difference in others’ lives.

Gallup recently reported that only 15% of employees in the United States are truly engaged in their workplace. Yet nearly 70% of employees say they would work harder if they felt more appreciated.

A Personnel Today survey of 350 human resources professionals found that the greatest factor in workplace productivity is a positive environment in which employees feel appreciated. According to the survey, two-thirds of the respondents said they felt a lot more productive when they received recognition for their work, while the remainder said they felt a little more productive.

Successful leaders across many fields have plenty to say about the importance of showing appreciation. Here’s a sampling.

Motivational speaker and author Tony Robbins said, “Trade your expectations for appreciation, and the world changes instantly.”

Retail giant Sam Walton wrote 10 rules for success, and the Walmart founder didn’t mince words when it came to being thankful. The fifth of Walton’s rules is “Appreciate everything your associates do for the business.”

Legendary college basketball coach John Wooden said: “It is quite possible that the most abused, overused or misused word in our language is the simple word ‘thanks.’ However, when sincerely used I know of no word that can more adequately express one’s feeling of appreciation than ‘thanks.’”

William James, psychologist and philosopher, said, “The deepest principle of human nature is a craving to be appreciated.”

Appreciation should be an everyday occurrence, not an event limited to a special week or event. A plaque on the wall means nothing without ongoing support. People need to know that they are valued every day.

Appreciation has a snowball effect. The more genuine the appreciation toward employees, the better. For example, appreciation helps boost morale and confidence by demonstrating that a person is valued and trusted. This in turn serves as motivation and encourages people to go the extra mile.

Appreciation also increases efficiency. Appreciated employees work harder, which impacts results. Relationships are strengthened. Respect is heightened.

A simple appreciation message can go a long way in developing strong bonds and motivating people. Words of appreciation not only boost the performances of team members or colleagues but also rejuvenate close relationships. A thank-you message for a particular work or effort is an excellent method to develop long-lasting mutual respect.

A young woman experiencing a lack of appreciation decided to do something special for her 13th wedding anniversary. She called a florist and ordered 13 long-stemmed roses that arrived with a card that read, “I love you!” signed by her husband, Bill.

Bill was curious who would send his wife flowers and sign his name. Twenty days later, the mystery was solved when his credit card bill arrived.

Let’s hope he remembered that lesson in time for their 14th anniversary.

Mackay’s Moral: Give appreciation for a little, and you will find a lot.

When I was a little boy, I discovered the power of a magnifying glass. It made things look bigger and more focused. I soon learned another power of that magnifying glass. When you focused it on a tiny spot and held it there long enough, it would burn a hole in a piece of paper.

Whether it is lightbulbs or laser beams, the only difference is focus.

Actor and martial artist Bruce Lee said, “The successful warrior is the average man, with laserlike focus.”

When you are genuinely focused on something, you look at the task at hand under a proverbial magnifying glass. Whether you are in business or just reaching personal goals, you need to be absolutely laser-focused. You must have the ability to pay attention to the things that matter and avoid distractions.

American management consultant and author Peter Drucker, in his book, “The Effective Executive,” outlines five habits of the mind that must be acquired to be an effective executive. Two of them apply to focus:

-- Effective executives focus on outward contribution. They gear their efforts to results rather than to work. They start out with the question “What results are expected of me?”

-- Effective executives set priorities and stick with them. They know that they have no choice but to do first things first, and second things not at all. The alternative is to get nothing done.

Focus is the doorway to all thinking -- learning, problem-solving and decision-making. Without total focus, everything suffers. You need to focus on the right things.

Start by decluttering your mind. A person who is everywhere is nowhere. Prioritize what is important at work and home. A clear mind is a focused mind.

Clean up your workspace and make it easy to locate what you need to get the job done. Get rid of clutter so you can spend more time focusing on your work. Get a good chair with back support.

Keep up with technology that can help you get your job done, but be mindful of how distracting it can become with all the pings, vibrations and other notifications of social media. Choose a specific time to handle emails. Consider putting your phone away for a designated period of time. This goes for your computer too.

Noise is also distracting. Move to a quiet area or close the door to your office space. If that is not an option, consider using noise-canceling headphones.

Multitasking often contributes to a lack of focus, so concentrate on one task at a time, which will improve your accuracy and efficiency. Think of many things but do only one. FOCUS: Follow One Course Until Successful.

Regular exercise is a lifesaver for me. It clears my mind and allows me to concentrate on what is important. Taking breaks is another important part of maintaining focus.

Eat properly and get plenty of sleep so you don’t feel tired. I’ve found that keeping a schedule of going to bed and waking up at a similar time is beneficial. Your body needs good fuel and rest to work properly.

Prioritize your tasks each morning and tackle the most difficult ones early. Make a to-do list to help keep you from procrastinating. Don’t be afraid to switch things up to avoid boredom.

Baseball great Babe Ruth was once asked by a reporter, “How is it that you always come through in the clutch? How is it that you can come up to bat in the bottom of the ninth inning, in a key game with the score tied, with thousands of fans screaming in the stadium, with millions listening on the radio, the entire game on the line, and deliver the game-winning hit?”

Ruth’s answer, “I don't know. I just keep my eye on the ball.”

In other words: focus.

Mackay’s Moral: Starve your distractions and feed your focus.