7 Signs Your Favorite Colleague Is Actually Draining Your Energy

7 Signs Your Favorite Colleague Is Actually Draining Your Energy Do you spend a bulk of your time at work with your favorite coworker perhaps a work wife or husband you adore?According to a survey from digital media company Captivate, 75 percent of geschftliches miteinander professionals report having or previously having a work spouse. Perhaps thats largely because, respect.But what if your work spouse is mentally draining you, despite how much you appreciate your friendship? Here are seven signs that your favorite colleague is actually draining your energy, and preventing you from performing to your best ability.1. They vent to you all day.Do you spend most of your mornings listening to stories about your coworkers bad dates? How about the projects theyre working on that they really dont feel like doing that day? Is it keeping you from doing the projects that you have to do that day?Even if you love chit-chatting with this person, if youre listening to them vent all day, its likel y consuming your energy. This is especially true if youre taking on all of their setbacks as your own, and youre elend getting a chance to vent yourself. Your friendships at work should be two-way streets with mutual respect for and understanding of each others obligations.2. Youre more productive when theyre not around.Do you get most of your work done when youre not around your favorite coworker? Perhaps this is because youre more productive when youre not goofing off, chit-chatting or venting with this person. While your favorite coworker might be a great person with whom to spend your time outside of the office (and even during your breaks or on your lunch hour), this person might be draining you of your energy when you need to get your work done.3. They guilt you into taking breaks with them.Does your coworker constantly ping you about grabbing lunch or sneaking out of the office for a quick break? Do they guilt you into stepping out with them when youre in the middle of someth ing?As tempting as it can be to spend time with your favorite colleague, its important that you prioritize your work.Maybe it doesnt feel like your coworker is draining you of your energy after all, theyre encouraging you to take a breather. But if theyre constantly cutting into your crunch time, the stress of not getting your work done will eventually eat at you.4. Theyre not genuinely thrilled about your accomplishments.Are you always excited for your favorite coworker when theyre recognized for one of their achievements? Perhaps youve had a recent accomplishment, but theyre not equally as thrilled for you. Again, your more personal relationships with your coworkers should be two-way streets. If youre expending your time and putting forth the effort to advocate for them, you should want the saatkorn in return. But battling jealousy is a total energy sucker.5. They seldom return the favor.Youre constantly covering for your favorite coworker so they can take the day off or even jus t run out of the office for an appointment. You help them with their tasks because you know theyre feeling overwhelmed. And you even bring lunch for them every now and again, because you understand that theyve got too much going on at home to pack their own.But, suddenly, you feel overwhelmed and pressed for time because youre busy doing all of your own work and then some. If your coworker seldom returns the favor, you might want to reconsider how youre spending a lot of your energy.6. Theyre full of negative energy.Maybe your favorite coworker is always funny, there for you, a good listening ear or really hardworking and motivational. But maybe theyre also full of negative energy, always putting down other colleagues and knocking the company.Besides the fact that you never want to be in the middle of workplace gossip or get caught badmouthing anyone at the office (you shouldnt be badmouthing anyone at the office anyway), your coworkers negativity may be rubbing off on you. If someo ne is constantly in your ear about how much of a mess the company is, you might start to believe it yourself and take on their thoughts as your own. And who would want to work for a company that they think is a mess? Suddenly, the negativity starts to consume you and you landsee yourself caring less and slacking off.7. They make you question yourself.Perhaps you respect your coworkers opinion so much that you take everything they say too seriously. For example, maybe theyre always joking around with you that they dont know how you got the job because youre always being silly. But you actually start to question yourself and your qualifications, even though you know it was just a joke.If your coworker makes you question your abilities or, worse, your sanity it can be incredibly mentally draining going back and forth in your own head.--AnnaMarie Houlis is a feminist, a freelance journalist and an adventure aficionado with an affinity for impulsive solo travel. She spends her days wri ting about womens empowerment from around the world. You can follow her work on her blog, HerReport.org, and follow her journeys on Instagram her_report,Twitterherreportand Facebook.