Energy is everything! It is your driving force; it is the key that unlocks vast opportunities and potentials for success. Your energy and time are priceless commodities which you must spend with the right people. The right people are those that inspire, motivate, and increase you.
Just like for every other good thing, there is a ready army of enemies that will try to drain your energy, misdirect it or downright kill it! In our day to day interaction, we come across these energy sappers, vampires, parasites or simply negative and unhappy people who if left unchecked, will drain us, infect us with their negativity or simply suck us into their cocoon of unhappiness.
The sad truth about these energy drainers is that they are a part of life and you can’t completely do away with them, but surely you can protect yourself from them. They only gain access to you when you associate with them and give them a good serving of your precious time and energy.
You find them right in your home, workplace, and in the train coach. They are in the media, both social or otherwise and could drain you without even meeting you personally.
How To Identify Energy Drainers
A major characteristic of energy drainers is that they have character flaws which may either psychological, learned or purely intentional and aimed at indoctrinating and back-pedaling you. Their common features include:
They will like to intrude and poke nose into your affairs.
They are always craving for your attention and will complain and sulk when they don’t get it.
They like blowing things and situations out of proportion.
They are egocentric and self-centered and never see anything good in others.
They are always bitter, dramatic and critical of everything.
They are whiners, naggers, and complainers.
They are argumentative.
How To Protect Yourself
Deciding to protect or isolate yourself from energy drainers may not be as easy as you think because they will always come after you! You can, however, use the following strategies:
Open your eyes, ears and trust your instincts: When you come across those that would drain your energy, you will notice something strange and cold about them, this is a reflection of their not enjoying life. When they talk, you will easily pick pieces of bitterness, scorn, and anger. Your instincts will make you feel naturally uncomfortable; run before you are sucked in!
Reduce your contact and communication: If they are people you meet physically, you must devise smart ways of avoiding them. Positing a no-nonsense stance may also scare them away, or you could tell them straight up that you don’t appreciate their negative mindsets and advice they change it. For online contacts, simply ‘blocking’ or ‘unfriending’ them will do the magic.
How You Can Help Them
Leaving negative people and energy drainers moving about, will not make the world a better place. You can help those you can’t avoid being in contact with by subtly talking to them about being positive-minded or by purchasing inspiring and motivational books and other materials for them. You can also recommend therapy if need be.
