Why does Naval suggest "avoiding envy"?

Of course, this is a fascinating question. This viewpoint by Naval is actually a pivotal point in the evolution of my own thinking. I'll try to explain plainly why he places such strong emphasis on "avoiding envy."

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Why Does Naval Say "Envy" is an Emotion with All Harm and No Benefit?

In simple terms, Naval considers envy a "stupid" and "useless" emotion. It's not "evil"; rather, it's genuinely pointless for you. It's like drinking poison yourself while hoping someone else dies.

Let me break it down for you to better understand his reasoning:

1. Do You Really Want to Be "Them"? – The "Whole Deal" Mindset

This is Naval's core argument about envy, and the point most likely to make it instantly click for you.

When you envy someone, you usually only focus on the specific part you desire:

• "I envy their money."
• "I envy her physique and beauty."
• "I envy his career success and the respect he commands."

But Naval would ask you a question: "Are you willing to trade places with them completely?"

Meaning, you don't get to pick only the good parts. If you want their money, you must also take on their anxieties, their pressures, their troubled family relationships, their exhaustion from 16-hour workdays, their potential health issues, and all the costs and sacrifices they made to reach their current position.

Really think about it. Are you truly willing?

For the vast majority of people, after calm reflection, the answer is "no." Each of us has our own life, with its own struggles and its own joys. When you realize you don't actually want to completely become that other person, your envy instantly dissipates significantly. Because what you desire is just a "fantasy composite of desirable traits" – and that person doesn't exist.

2. Envy Makes You Play the Wrong "Game of Life"

Naval believes life is not a "zero-sum game."

• Zero-sum game: Like chess or a sporting match, there is only one winner. Someone else's victory means your loss.
• Positive-sum game: Like us co-founding a business or creating something new together. We can make the pie bigger for everyone to win.

Envy is rooted in a primitive, outdated "zero-sum game" mentality. You see someone possess something and feel you have been deprived.

But in the modern world, especially in fields involving wealth creation and knowledge, it's fundamentally a positive-sum game. Someone else succeeding doesn't prevent you from succeeding. Elon Musk building rockets doesn't stop you from writing a popular app. Someone else becoming fit and attractive through hard work doesn't take away your own health.

When you indulge in envy, you expend all your energy on "watching others" instead of "bettering yourself." You're playing a game that is both unwinnable and pointless.

3. Envy is Pure Mental Drain

Think about it. When you envy someone, who suffers the most?

You do.

The object of your envy might be busy enjoying their life, completely unaware of your existence. And you? You're replaying their success in your mind, contrasting it with your own perceived "failure," causing yourself pain, anger, and resentment.

What does this emotion actually achieve, besides draining your energy and worsening your mood? Does it help change your situation at all? Answer: Absolutely not.

It only pushes you further from your own goals.

4. Transform "Envy" into "Inspiration"

Naval isn't saying we shouldn't acknowledge others' success. The key is the mindset you adopt when viewing it.

• The Envious Mindset: "Why do they have it and I don't? It's so unfair!" (Negative, outwardly directed)
• The Inspired Mindset: "Wow, so it is possible to achieve that! What about them is worth learning from? What can I glean from their path that I could adapt for my own journey?" (Positive, internally focused)

When you turn "envy" into "inspiration" or "motivation," the success of others ceases to be a stabbing sword; instead, it becomes a torch lighting your own path. You stop being a spectator and become an active participant.

In Summary, What To Do?

Therefore, Naval advocates "avoiding envy" not as a moral platitude, but as an incredibly practical life strategy:

1. Use the "Whole Deal" mentality to shatter illusions: Next time envy strikes, ask yourself: "Would I be willing to be them 100%? Including all their struggles and costs?"
2. Focus on the "Positive-Sum Game": Remember, the world is vast. Another's success doesn't block yours. Redirect your energy from "comparing" to "creating."
3. Play your own game: Find your unique strengths and passions. Work hard on your own path. When you're focused on running your own marathon, you simply don't have time to check how fast others are running.
4. Use admiration as fuel: When you see someone excellent, learn from them, analyze, and adapt it to improve yourself.

Ultimately, avoiding envy is about liberating yourself. It frees you to invest your precious energy and time in what truly matters: building the life you want for yourself.