As kids we’re taught that jealously is bad (heck, envy is one of the seven deadly sins), but this video from The School of Life suggests the trait may be helpful since it tells us what we really want. In other words, being jealous of your friend’s knack for music could be a cue to sign up for guitar lessons. You probably won’t become a rock star, but you will be making progress toward a life you admire. This doesn’t mean every time we feel some sort of envy—like when we watch clips of the badass U.S. women’s gymnastics team—we should add it to our five-year plan. But if certain envious feelings keep coming up, you may want to listen.