Good Envy

Envy is one of the seven deadly sins, so we are taught at a young age not to covet what others have. Envy is a real no no. But is there such a thing as “good envy?” Envy that can be constructive and beneficial?

Despite such negative associations, you can consider listening to that voice in your head when envy makes itself known, as it provides clues as to what’s important to your heart. It can often be difficult to know what one wants. Where does your emotion lie? What do you want to achieve in life? Listening to what your heart is envying might point you in the right direction.

In the last decade, psychologists have started to talk about the concept of “benign envy,” noting that envy can serve a higher, better purpose. Envy can be a motivational force to improve oneself to reach a goal, for example, as opposed to all negative energy directed against another. In interpreting one’s envy in a positive way, it can set the bar for what you want to achieve and provide insight into what you find important and what your heart desires. Despite all its negative association, there really can be good envy that motivates us to reach our life goals.

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The Insight: Want to determine where your motivation lies? Pay attention to what you envy.