This is an I-Heart podcast.

Good morning. This is Laura.

Welcome to the new corner office, the podcast where we share strategies for thriving in the new world of work, where location and hours are more flexible

than in the past.

Today's tip is about how to battle energy vampires.

We all have tasks or people who seem to suck the life out of us.

But as people in the stories found ways to battle vampires, so we can keep these energy vampires away.

This episode is airing right before Halloween, and I will admit I have creatures like ghosts and ghouls and vampires on the brain.

One of the reasons people are drawn to Halloween and horror in general is that it's an over-the-top manifestation of some

things we encounter in real life. Fright. Dread. Anxiety. We all have stuff we dread. People.

Tasks. And these can weigh us down considerably. But when we do break free of them, we can feel like we've battled

literal monsters. We feel triumphant and light. But how do we do that? The first step is to see

things for what they are. As you go through your day, keep track of your energy levels. When do you

feel most excited and motivated?

When do you feel like you'd be willing to pay some serious cash to get out of something?

Pay attention. We can't automatically change some energy draining situations, but sometimes we can.

Is there a particular person who you find draining?

Maybe you notice that every meeting with him or her leaves you at a two on a ten-point energy scale.

If so, ponder if there is a way to limit your exposure.

Perhaps there are new projects you can pursue.

Perhaps you can create your own teams for projects with new and different people.

If it's not possible to move away, you can also create better boundaries.

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