There is a question we can use to make decisions that is incredibly helpful in almost every area of life.
The question is this: Is it beneficial?
This is a question I was first introduced to shortly after college and I have referred to it countless times—not just in big decisions, but also in smaller ones.
It is very easy in life to choose the things I want to do, to choose the things everyone else is doing, or to choose things simply because they are available to me.
But there is a wiser way to make decisions than simply thinking, “This is something I want to do.”
Adding a further question, “Is this beneficial?” forces greater intentionality and better decision-making into our lives. It invites us to think through our decisions in terms of how they will impact ourselves and if they will impact others in a positive way.
There are any number of things I can choose to do on a given day, but the reality is that not everything is beneficial.
Is it beneficial? is a question that can be applied to almost every decision in life:
- How we spend our time.
- How we spend our money.
- Where we focus our energy.
- The words that we use.
- The work that we take on.
- The possessions we keep in our home.
- The habits we seek to develop.
- Even the choices we make when resting.
I can do anything I want today, but what is beneficial?
I can choose to spend my money any way I desire, but what is beneficial?
I can say anything I want, but what is beneficial?
I can eat anything I want, but what is beneficial?
I can fill my calendar with anything and everything, but what is beneficial?
I can post (almost) anything on social media today, but what is beneficial?
I’ll be quick to admit that there are no perfect human beings on planet earth. Learning to ask this question consistently and choose appropriately is a lifelong quest.
But our world would be a better place—and our lives would be more fulfilled—if we thought to ask it more often.
Simple yet so profound when you think about it… How different would the world be if everybody thought in terms of “Is it beneficial?” before making choices? I love that it is indicative of intention and selflessness above all else. Thank you for this post, Josh. It certainly changed my perspective and train of thought for the better :)
What a great question I can ask myself when making a decision. Is this objective truly beneficial.
But what does beneficial mean? Beneficial to whom? Beneficial in what way?
It means favorable or advantageous, resulting in GOOD.
Great post Joshua. I’m reminded of a quote, “all things are lawful but not all things are beneficial”
We live in a world where people insist on their rights but sometimes it is not beneficial for them or anyone else.
We also tend to obtain and keep stuff that’s not beneficial to anyone. It’s worth is nothing if it doesn’t benefit you.
I really love this. I use this question in my weekly reflection regarding my use of time- but now I see the wider application I will use it for everything!! Thank you. X
Amen and Amen! Thanks for a great article!
This post made my night. I have to say that I have been moving in this direction, so your post hit the nail on the head for me. It is amazing how different your life becomes when you put more intention into the decisions you make. This question, “is it beneficial?” promotes deeper thinking. It brings clarity about what’s important. Especially when it benefits not just ourself, but others. Even people we don’t know. When I buy something at the store, I ask myself if I’m buying a locally made product, for instance. My question is, “does this benefit my community?” At our local co-op grocery store where I live, just about everything in that store does. Food is produced locally vs. from idk how many miles away. My Sociology teacher started getting me to think about what jobs I was supporting when I chose the self-checkout option in a grocery store versus the regular checkout lane. Do I want to support automation or manual jobs? Not only that, but do I want to support face-to-face interactions or over-the-screen/ai contact? It’s amazing how little most of us realize what we are contributing to. I recently gave up Facebook and I feel amazing, for instance. Was Facebook benefiting me? No. It was benefiting a billionaire. Lol I am so much more in tune with my calling, now, without Facebook. I value in-person discussions and relationships. They benefit me far more than online interactions and relationships did/do. That’s for sure.
Thanks for writing this article. It has given me confirmation that I’m on the right path. I will continue to ask myself these questions centering around the benefits of the decisions I make. ✨🙏✨
Excellent words to live by and also makes it easier to remove more stuff that I have been holding onto “just in case” – small stuff, this and that type of stuff. Now I am ready to let these items go and donate so others can benefit. If I haven’t used them in the last 5+ years, I doubt I ever will. Thanks for your posts. They have helped me tremendously in all areas of my life, not just physical clutter.
Excellent article! Thank you so much for this new life lesson I’ll add to my life.
Simple and direct way to live life! Love it!
Yes! It certainly provides clarity when making choices. I tend to be intentional in most things but there are additional ways this can help fine tune the efforts. Thank you!
I love it!! Thank you!
These are lovely and beneficial (!) words to live by. Thanks for this post, Kathleen
Yes! I like your ideas on this.
Yes, our pastor would say….”see things out to their conclusion”.
So true.
❤️