“Beware of Energy Vampires” – by Jon Gordon

Beware of Energy Vampires – by Jon Gordon They lurk in our businesses, our families and our social organizations. They are real. They are everywhere. And they will suck the life out of you if you let them.
If you’re like most people, it has happened to you. You were talking to someone and before you knew it, they drained the life right out of you. You looked for fang marks on your neck but they were nowhere to be found. Then you realized Energy Vampires don’t have fangs. They have other means to suck your energy. Here are a few:
Negative comments -“Did I tell you how much I hate my life and work? Did I tell you what so and so did to me? Did I tell you how my life stinks? Did I tell you why nothing goes right?”
Dream snatching-“You can’t do that. How are you going to do that? Are you living in fantasyland? Get back to the real world. You should do this instead.”
Shrinking devices-“What is wrong with you? Can you do anything right? You are the worst. I hate working with you.”
In other situations the words may be less harsh but the result ends up being the same. Once an Energy Vampire starts sucking it is difficult to break free. Don’t let this happen. Instead be prepared to neutralize an Energy Vampire from the beginning. You don’t need a stake or garlic. Here are 4 techniques:
Action Steps
Look in the mirror-Sometimes we are the Vampires. If we pay attention to our thoughts and words we can eliminate the Vampire in us. Are you being negative or positive? I ask myself this often.
Confront and Reform-Tell your Energy Vampire (EV) that he or she is being negative. They may not even realize it. Ask for support, positive feedback and encouragement from them. If your EV is a colleague, family member or friend, perhaps you can reform them into an Energy Addict. Show them how to spread positive energy. If they just don’t see it or refuse to do it then you may have to give an ultimatum. You might say, “This is my goal. This is where I am going and if you’re going to be negative then I can’t be around you.
Turn on the Light-When you were a child and scared of the dark you turned on the light and felt better. Negative energy is like darkness. When you encounter an Energy Vampire, turn on the light. When an EV comes at you with fear, negativity, hate and anger turn on the light and respond with love, kindness, and positive energy. Negative energy is powerless in the light. Think about what happens when someone gets mad and yells at you. If you don’t yell back they lose momentum and power. If you return with kindness they lose even more power. On the other hand, if you yell back at them then the negative energy grows and grows.
Run-Run as far and as fast as you can. This sometimes is the best technique if you are not close with the EV. You only have so much energy and in today’s world you need to keep all you have. If, for example, you are in the grocery store and you see someone who drains your energy then run away fast. Really fast.