5 Common Characteristics Of A Positive Choice

As we go through life, we will have many choices that we will have to choose from. These choices can often be categorised into good, positive, and bad, negative decisions. This does not mean that if you have two options, one is good, and one is bad. They could both be good, and both be bad. 

Many things work together to determine a good or bad choice. Some things are based on your society’s beliefs, and others are based on your thoughts. 

Because of this, people might categorise choices differently than others, especially if they live in different environments. Below are five common characteristics of a positive choice. Not all positive choices will have all these characteristics, as every situation is unique and different, but they should have at least one or two.

Morally Correct

Positive choices are commonly considered morally correct. This could mean telling the truth, not stealing, helping others, and more. Typically, positive decisions will not be immoral. This characteristic is an excellent way to help determine if your choice is favourable. 

Benefits Those Involved

Another common characteristic of positive choices is that they often benefit those involved. When you help others, eat healthily, or look both ways before crossing the street, your positive choice is assisting those affected. Choices that hurt people are often considered harmful because of that characteristic. 

The most challenging choices to categorise are those that hurt some people and help others. These choices include deciding whom to help first in an emergency, sharing bad news, or breaking up with someone. 

With these, you need to take time to identify what your goal is and what choice is best suited for that. You can also see if your choice has other positive characteristics to help you determine.

Best Option

It may seem obvious, but positive decisions are often the best option. They might not always be ideal, but they are the best of what you have. Choosing the best option can be tricky. 

It would help if you determined what is best for you, what is best for others, and more. Some choices like ‘should you do drugs or not?’ have obvious best options. Others like ‘should I change my career?’ are often less obvious about the best decision. 

Feels Good

Positive choices are most commonly the ones that make you feel good. This is not the case with all of them, but when you do the right thing, you typically will feel good about your decision. The feeling you get when you donate money, time, or resources. 

When you help someone out or create a positive impact, this could also mean doing something good for yourself. Some good decisions feel bad, but these are not as common.

Don’t Regret

Overall, positive choices are the ones you will not regret. Sometimes it can be hard to know what decision you will regret if you do. But looking back, consider the times when you regretted something. This regret will most likely be tied to a wrong decision that ended up hurting you or others. 

Not all positive choices will have all these characteristics, but they are very common. This is because positive choices are most commonly morally correct, benefit everyone involved, are the best option, feel good, and don’t cause regrets. 

Consider your choices and their characteristics the next time you try to identify a positive choice.