Cutting the Cord: Energy Drainers Aren’t Worth Your Time

In both professional and personal spheres, time is a commodity more precious than gold. And just as valuable—if not more so—is your energy. We all know those people who seem to suck the life out of the room. The perpetual naysayers, the chronic complainers, the folks who seem to thrive on drama. Whether it’s a colleague who always has a problem but never a solution, or an acquaintance who sees every glass as half-empty (and leaking), these energy drainers can sap your vitality faster than a smartphone app running in the background.

Let’s be practical here. Life is too short and business too demanding to waste energy on those who don’t reciprocate positivity. In the boardroom, as in the living room, we have limited bandwidth. Our energy should be spent building up, not tearing down; creating, not complaining; solving, not sulking.

Philosophically speaking, the energy we carry into our daily interactions is a reflection of who we are and what we value. If we consistently allow energy drainers to take up residence in our minds, we’re essentially signing over our most valuable resources—our time, focus, and well-being—to those who add little or no value in return. It’s like feeding a parasite that only grows stronger while we grow weaker.

Now, this isn’t about being callous or dismissive. It’s about being strategic. If someone is draining your energy, they’re indirectly affecting those who depend on you. And that’s simply not acceptable.

So, here’s a piece of advice, delivered with a dose of wit: Think of your energy like a bank account. Be generous with those who invest in you, but don’t hesitate to cut off those who only make withdrawals. After all, you wouldn’t let someone drain your finances, so why let them drain your energy?

In the end, life is about surrounding yourself with people who inspire, uplift, and challenge you to be better. The others? Well, they’re not worth your time.