2 nights ago, one got me.  And got me good. While I lay asleep, blissfully dreaming of deadlifts and peanut butter a mosquito bit me. 5 times up and down my left arm.  Starting at my middle finger knuckle and going all the way up the the top of my shoulder. 5 red, swollen, itchy annoying reminders of a parasite’s night of evil misdeeds.  Stealing my blood- and in a small way a piece of my life. Ok, maybe I’m being a little overly dramatic.

Life can be filled with figurative mosquitoes and other blood suckers- people (or situations) that steal your time, your energy, your blood and your life. If you do not take action you’ll get bitten- and it will itch, you’ll scratch and it become at the very least seriously annoying. All relationships should be based on mutual benefit- both parties should be able to get something out of the arrangement.  If it is at all one-sided there is a problem.  We all have or have had people like this in our lives.Here are 4 things you can do to avoid the bite and associated pain.

Get Some OFF
Sometimes the easiest way to have someone leave you alone is to simply avoid them.  Do not associate with them, do not hang out where they do, do not return there calls or emails or texts- with any luck they will get the hint.  This in not a proactive approach, but can avoid uncomfortable situations. Yes, it is somewhat of a wussy way out, but it can work.

Send Them Towards the Light:  Bug Zapper
This one works especially well for mosquitoes in the professional environment, the ones that pester you where you work.  The type of person who keeps calling, keeps emailing, keeps texting or is just plain won’t leave you alone.  Send them to the light: Just say "Hey, what’s that bright shinny thing over there? You should check that out." Basically refer them elsewhere. Let them know you think they would be better off somewhere else.  I have had to do that more than once with personal training clients.

Crush Them
This should be reserved for worst case scenario when nothing else works: strike them down.  Remember when they bleed, that is your blood they are bleeding, not theirs.  When nothing else works you need to tell that person in no uncertain terms that you are done with them.  They have siphoned off their last drop, the blood buffet is closed. This is a drastic measure, but in some instances absolutely necessary.

Life is can be hard hard enough.  People who drag you down have no place in your life.  Surround yourself with positive energy and positive people.  People who support you and you support in return.  These are your true friends.  These are the people that deserve your energy, as what you give to them will be returned to you ten fold.

Joshua Carter
http://carterfitness.com