Energy Vampires

December 2, 2012 in Spiritual Transformation with 0 Comments

By Jim Lange Author of “Bleedership: Biblical First-Aid for Leaders” and “Calming the Storm Within: How to Find Peace in this Chaotic World” (released Dec, 2012). Jim also serves as President of Five Feet Twenty & Chapter President of Truth@Work

This past football season, I have really enjoyed watching my beloved Ohio State Buckeyes. Though they were unable to go to a bowl due to some NCAA sanctions, their campaign was very successful as they went 12-0 (as of this writing, one of only two undefeated teams in the country!).

During one telecast this season, the announcer was discussing Carlos Hyde, Ohio State’s tailback who was not playing this game due to an injury. He mentioned how Hyde was walking around the sidelines and talking with players, encouraging them and offering pointers. Since he wasn’t playing, he was doing all he could to help his team.

He said that in an interview with Tom Herman, Ohio State’s offensive coordinator, Herman remarked that this is a different side of Carlos Hyde. In fact, Herman said that up until six months ago, Hyde was an “energy vampire.” Apparently he was quite negative and would suck the energy out of a room making others not want to be around him.

I love the word picture of an energy vampire. So the question is, are you an energy vampire or an energy giver? If you don’t know, answer this question: Do people like to be around you? The more of a giver of energy you are, the more positive impact you will have on others and the more others will want to be around you.

How can you move from being an energy vampire to a giver? Here are a few suggestions:

  • Listen to others more than you talk (Be quick to listen, slow to speak. James 1:19b);
  • Remain calm and control your anger (Be slow to become angry. James 1:19c);
  • Don’t complain (Do everything without complaining or arguing. Philippians 2:14);
  • Encourage others (Encourage one another and build each other up. 1 Thessalonians 5:11);
  • Don’t talk too much about your accomplishments (Let another praise you, and not your own mouth. Proverbs 27:2a).

To his credit, it appears that Carlos Hyde has turned this around. So can you!