Who was it said "Hell is other people"? Well sometimes heaven is other people too...So pay special attention to the people you include in your life...
Many of us are lucky enough to know people who radiate positive energy; friends with whom you feel restored to inner health; colleagues who leave you feeling good about yourself. These “Energy Angels” give freely of their time and talents, without giving away themselves. (People who give, give, give to the point where they secretly resent it are not Energy Angels.)
Who are your Energy Angels? When you identify one, have a think about what it is that they do to produce this effect - then have a go at doing this yourself. Become your own Energy Angel! And make sure you let them know how much you appreciate their positive vibes!
On the flip side, there is also the Energy Vampire! The Energy Vampire will suck you dry and leave you feeling low. They’ll undermine your self-esteem, and damage your well-being, often in subtle ways. Here are some examples of the kinds of behaviours of people operating in Energy Vampire mode:
- “friends” who only call when they want something, or spend all of your time together talking about themselves and their problems
- colleagues who talk about everyone behind their backs but never to their faces
- the boss who’s quick to point out what you’ve done wrong but never gives praise or credit for success
- clients who always want you to go that "extra mile", but don't actually give you that much business, and never refer anyone to you
- people who like to throw impromptu “negativity parties” – around the coffee machine, in meetings, in the pub, at home
How many Energy Vampires do you know? And what other Energy Vampire behaviours or attitudes can you identify?
Ideally, you should limit the time you spend with "Energy Vampires", even if that means reviewing the viability of the relationship. Resist any inclination to join in with negative behaviours, and imagine you're surrounded by a "negativity shield" when in their company. Dealing with the other PESTs in your life, and making sure you access plenty of energy sources should also help to redress the balance.
I believe that we all have the potential to be an Energy Angel or an Energy Vampire – which mode have you been operating in?
By Helen Ross-Hamilton
helen@theresultsage
www.theresultsagenc
© Helen Ross-Hamilton, All rights reserved
