There are those in life who are positive, fun and challenge us to be better than we are. Whether these people are work colleagues, friends or partners, they are a joy to be around and help make life run so much smoother.

Conversely, there are those who are needy, manipulative and whining and who drain your energy, your time and your life.

Learning to identify and vanquish the Energy Vampires will help rebalance your life, allowing you to spend more time on the important areas and generally stop you stressing about those intent on sucking the life out of you!

How can you spot a vampire? Some warning signs:

• Refusing to do what you ask or what they are mean to be doing
• Following their own agenda even when it damages yours
• Overriding decisions or ignoring direct orders - undermining authority
• Backbiting & bitching, fighting with others
• Sarcasm & negative comments, often accompanied by "bullying" tactics
• Continual whining & "problem bringing" without possible solutions
• Attacking or "telling on" others to take attention away from themselves
• A "glass half empty" attitude or one which says "I'm sorry - you must have confused me with someone who cares"

How to vanquish:

• Isolate & explain why their behaviour is NOT acceptable
• Try to identify the route cause for the negativity
• Explain how their attitude is affecting themselves and others
• Refocus and restate parameters of their role or position
• Explain expectations moving forward
• Don't get sucked into petty battles - focus on finding solutions
• Split up cliques and covens
• Communicate so there is no room for error or misunderstandings
• Reward and encourage positivity and initiative
• If all else fails, exit the vampires - for everyone's sake!

Remember that you have a limited amount of time, energy and resource and make a decision if you want to waste it in a mire of negativity or to spend it developing & nurturing in a positive place!