Energy Vampires in Business:

Learning to Say No and Reclaim Your Self

by Trudy Heins

Article originally published in The Lunch Mag, Issue 6, June 2025

Let’s talk about something real, ENERGY AND JOY VAMPIRES. You know the ones. The clients, contracts, or even team members who leave you feeling utterly drained after every interaction.

I’ve recently been in the thick of this. A project that was successful by all external measures. The results were solid, the work meaningful, but every interaction chipped away at my spark. My shoulders would tense, my energy would dip, and I found myself dreading Mondays again!

But you know what even with decades of business experience, with boundaries well-practised and values clearly defined I still didn’t have the answer straight away. This one snuck up on me.

Because here’s the truth even the most seasoned business owners sometimes ignore their gut. We get caught up in the “shoulds”—I should stick it out, I should be grateful for the income, I should be able to handle this.

But that’s not the energy we started our businesses for, is it?

So, I did something I’ve done many times before, something I encourage all my clients to do. I reached out to my trusted circle. My partner, close friends, and the beautiful business community I’m so lucky to be a part of. I leaned on them, not for answers, but for belief. Because in that moment, I’d lost touch with me.

And yes, I’ll admit it, I was deep in imposter syndrome. That sneaky voice in our heads that says, “Maybe it’s you. Maybe you’re the problem. Maybe you’re not cut out for this after all.”

But with the loving push of some wise souls, I took the leap. I ended the contract.

Was it easy? No! Yes, it made a dent in my bank account. But you know what? The moment I hit send on that email, something shifted.

My heart lifted. My shoulders felt lighter. I could breathe again.

And here’s the magic part, within hours, three unexpected pieces of work landed in my inbox. All perfectly aligned. All energising. It was like the universe was waiting for me to let go so it could deliver what my purpose is.

That’s the power of aligned decision-making. When you build a business on solid foundations, financially, emotionally, and energetically, you can make decisions from a place of strength instead of fear or obligation.

You can say no to what drains you. You can walk away from “good” if it’s not great for you. You can trust that better is already on its way.

Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t always get it right. There are days I doubt myself. Days I look at my to-do list and think, “Who on earth thought I could run four businesses and still keep my sanity?” (Usually me, after perimenopausal lack of sleep the night before.)

But we’re not meant to do it alone. Whether you’re a solopreneur or leading a team, success in business doesn’t come from muscling through burnout. It comes from knowing when to call in reinforcements, when to trust your gut, and when to choose yourself over obligation.

So, if you’re reading this and nodding along because you’ve been there, or maybe you’re in it right now let this be your gentle permission slip. You don’t need a dramatic reason to walk away from what no longer fits. If it’s costing your energy, your creativity, or your peace, it’s costing too much.

And if you’re not quite ready yet, that’s okay too. Sometimes the courage comes slowly. Just know you’re not alone. We’ve all had those moments where we needed someone else to believe in us until we could believe in ourselves again.

I’m so grateful for the support crew that held me through this one. And I want you to know, if you don’t have that yet I can be part of yours.

If you’re ready to build a business (and a life) that gives you options, let’s talk. Not in a pushy, salesy way, just a real conversation about where you’re at and what you need to take the next step with confidence.

Let’s normalise protecting our peace and celebrating aligned decisions.

Because when one door closes… well, you know the rest.

The universe always has your back.

About the Author

Trudy Heins is a seasoned entrepreneur and business coach with over 37 years in finance and 30 years as a Certified Financial Planner. She works with a diverse range of clients, including solopreneurs, professional women in business, and those in franchising, offering practical, proven strategies to build strong, sustainable businesses.

Trudy’s article: Energy Vampires in Business was originally printed in Issue 6 of The Lunch Mag.

Trudy joined Ladies Who Long Lunch hosts Kirsty Fields and Jo Stevens at the Summer Sunset Vibes event in November 2024, where she was a Sponsor.