Comments on: How to Thwart the Networking Energy Draining Vampires

By: christie

christie — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:54:54 +0000

I have actually made the mistake (often) in the past of using one of these vampires as a crutch when I first get to an event where I don't know anyone. After all, the know it all and the center of attention will talk and take care of keeping the conversation going, since it's all about them. But yep - it's usually not long before I'm totally exhausted and can't stay another minute. Great post - I'll look for these and protect my energy from them from now on!

By: patweber

patweber — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:04:05 +0000

Bonnie, vampires don't have preferences in whose energy they steal. I believe they just want to drain you of yours because that's what fills them of theirs!

By: bonniedubrow

bonniedubrow — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 02:16:20 +0000

Thanks for your suggestions, Pat.

I also appreciate you acknowledging that extroverts can also experience their energy being drained by energy vampires. We may lose less energy less quickly and recharge more quickly. Still, too many vampires coupled with lack of meaningful connections and conversations have caused me to leave more than one event early instead of being one of the last to leave.

Here's a strategy I often use. I look around and find someone else I know. I excuse myself and go talk to them.

By: patweber

patweber — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:27:21 +0000

Aahh! Position yourself to thwart these vampires. Thanks for that quote Jim.

By: Jim

Jim — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:58:40 +0000

Very helpful post. Next week, I plan to apply these tips. Thanks for putting it together.

I like the following quote and your post is filled with tactics to position yourself well. I also like any analogy to chess.

In life as well as chess, It’s really what you make of it and where you position yourself.-Laura Sherman