The word conscientiousness comes from the Latin word conscientia, which means “to know with.” This is a fitting title for this topic because we will be discussing how conscientious people think and act. The definition of conscientiousness is: “the trait of being careful and responsible in dealing with matters or other people.” We’ll explore what it means to be more conscientious, and more.
Contents
What Is Conscientiousness?
Conscientiousness is a personality trait that describes how careful and responsible we are. Conscientious people tend to be more organized, follow rules and guidelines, complete tasks on time, and take into account the feelings of others when making decisions or interacting with them. People who score as conscientious in psychological tests also have healthier lifestyles than those who score low on this trait.
Is Conscientiousness Genetic?
Fortunately, conscientiousness is something that we can learn and develop throughout our lives because it’s a trait that’s mostly caused by environment rather than genetics; though there may be some genetic causes as well. This means you don’t have to worry too much if your child scores low on the conscientiousness trait – they may just need some help to learn how to be more responsible and careful.
How Does a Conscientious Person Act?
A conscientious person is typically more organized, responsible, and follows rules and guidelines. They are also often punctual and prepared for whatever comes their way. In addition, conscientious individuals usually take other people’s feelings into account when making decisions or interacting with them. Lastly, they tend to have healthier lifestyles than those who score low on the conscientiousness trait.
Can Your Level Of Conscientiousness Vary?
Yes, you can be conscientious about some things but not others. For instance, someone may be very responsible with their work tasks but less so when it comes to their personal life. This is normal and to be expected.
What Are Signs Of Conscientiousness?
There are many signs of conscientiousness, including:
- Following rules and guidelines; completing tasks on time;
- Taking into account the feelings of others when making decisions or interacting with them;
- Having a healthier lifestyle than those who score low on conscientiousness;
- Being more organized, responsible, reliable, and prepared;
- Punctual
How Do You Know You Are Conscientious?
If you are conscientious, then you know it! You likely have many of the signs listed above and feel that being careful and responsible is important in your life. If you don’t score as high on this trait, but would like to become more conscientious, there are ways for you to do so.
Conscientiousness and Success
It is no secret that conscientious people are more successful than those who score low on the trait. This may be because they are more organized and responsible, and thus able to achieve their goals promptly without sacrificing quality. They also have a strong sense of morality and tend to follow rules, which is why they are less likely to get into trouble at work or with the law – thus avoiding distractions that can impede success.
Conscientious People And Perseverance
Yes, it makes perfect sense that conscientious people persevere more than those who score low on the trait. After all, conscientious individuals are more likely to have a strong sense of morality and follow through with their commitments – both of which are important qualities for anyone looking to achieve success.
Conscientious People And Abiding Rules
Yes, it is a general perception that conscientious people are more rule-abiding than those who score low on this trait. This is likely because conscientious people tend to be more organized and responsible, which requires following rules to achieve their goals as efficiently as possible.
Conscientious People And Punctuality And Preparedness
Yes, being punctual and prepared is a sign of someone’s level of conscientiousness – although it is important to note that there are always exceptions to this rule. Conscientious people usually take the time to plan and make sure they have everything they need before heading out, which minimizes the chances of being late or running into problems.
Conscientious People And Health
Yes, studies and surveys show that conscientious people tend to be healthier than those who score low on the trait. This is likely because they lead healthier lifestyles and take better care of their physical and mental health.
Conscientiousness V/S Perfectionism
There is a strong link between conscientiousness and perfectionism. Many people view perfectionism as a type of conscientiousness – although the two are not the same.
People who score high on conscientiousness generally tend to be more perfectionistic than those who don’t, which means they strive for excellence in everything they do rather than settling for mediocrity.
Can You Be Too Conscientious?
Yes, it is possible to be too conscientious. This usually happens when someone becomes so obsessed with following rules and being perfect that they start to become inflexible and unable to enjoy life. This can be harmful to their physical and mental health, so it’s important to find a balance.
Conscientious People And Happiness
Conscientious people are indeed happier – even though this is sometimes attributed to the fact that they tend to be more successful and feel a greater sense of accomplishment as a result.
Intellectuals consider it as one of that ‘ correlation vs causation’ debates because it’s also possible for conscientious people to experience elevated happiness due to their ability to organize their thoughts and follow rules. It allows them to achieve goals faster than others (and feel a sense of relief as a result).
So, Are You Conscientious?
There are several tests online that can help you determine how conscientious you are. The most common one is the five-factor model (FFM) of personality, which measures five different dimensions: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.
NOTE: The five-factor model of personality is the most widely accepted model of personality in psychology. It measures five different dimensions: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.
Cultivating Conscientiousness
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best way to become more conscientious may vary depending on your personality and lifestyle. However, some tips include:
Removing Distractions
It can be difficult to get things done if your phone is constantly buzzing, you’re getting notifications every few minutes, and there are other distractions in the background. This makes it important to remove any sources of distraction that could prevent you from staying on track.
Trying To Be More Organized
This can be done by creating a daily or weekly planner and sticking to it, writing down tasks as soon as they come to mind, and setting reminders (like using a planner or calendar).
Doing One Thing At A Time
If you’re having trouble staying focused, it may be a good idea to try and do just one thing at a time. Avoid multi-tasking because this can often lead to distractions that interfere with your productivity.
Using A Timer
Many people find that setting a timer helps them stay focused on their tasks (and avoid procrastinating). For example, you could use something like the Pomodoro technique to work in short bursts of 25 minutes with breaks in between.
Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. The technique uses a timer to break down work into intervals, traditionally 25 minutes in length, separated by short breaks. After four pomodoros, the user takes a long break.
Being More Disciplined
It can be pretty difficult to stay motivated and focused on a task, but some people find discipline very helpful. This could involve doing the same thing every day at the same time (for example), working in 45-minute intervals with breaks between each session, writing down your goals, or setting concrete targets for yourself.
Practical Tips
If you’re looking for practical advice on how to become more conscientious, here are some suggestions:
- Make lists and prioritize your tasks (and do the most important ones first)
- Set a timer when working on certain activities (to avoid procrastinating or getting sidetracked)
- Find a work/life balance that works for you (and stick to it!)
- Create routines and rituals so you know what to expect each day
- Take breaks often and allow yourself time to relax
- Learn how to say no (to requests that are not important or do not align with your goals)
- Develop a strong sense of self-awareness (so you can better understand your motivations and tendencies)
- Seek feedback from others to get an outsider’s perspective on how you’re doing
NOTE: Conscientious individuals usually have an easier time following through with tasks because they know exactly what needs to be done, instead of putting it off until the last minute.
Professionals’ View On Conscientiousness
When it comes to the workplace, professionals view conscientiousness as one of the most important traits for employees. Many companies are now using personality tests during the interview process to determine whether or not a candidate is likely to be successful in the role.
Some of the reasons why employers value conscientiousness so much include:
- The ability to stay focused and complete tasks
- The tendency to be punctual and organized
- The willingness to take direction and follow rules
- The ability to work independently
NOTE: Some employers may also value conscientiousness because they see it as a predictor of job satisfaction and longevity.
Case Study
Jordan B Peterson, a clinical psychologist at the University of Toronto, says that he has always been extremely conscientious. This is one of his main character traits and it’s something that enabled him to achieve success in multiple fields (including academia).
He notes how being too much on the conscientious side can make you more vulnerable to anxiety and depression. However, he also states that if you’re not conscientious enough and can’t get things done promptly (or at all), it’s unlikely that you’ll succeed in life.
Peterson notes how having high levels of conscientiousness is important for achieving success because:
- Makes it easier to prioritize work and stay on top of your responsibilities
- Make you more likely to complete tasks on time and avoid procrastination
- Enables you to do things quickly, which allows you to focus on the next task in line (and then eventually move on to other projects)
He also notes that developing this trait can be challenging because it requires following rules while simultaneously thinking for yourself.
NOTE: Jordan B Peterson is a clinical psychologist who has written extensively on the topic of personality, including conscientiousness.
Conscientiousness And Empathy
There is mixed evidence on this topic. Some studies show that conscientious people are more empathic than those who score low on the trait. While others find no difference between the two groups. Empathy levels likely vary from individual to individual, so it is hard to make a general statement about this topic.
Conscientiousness Bias
There is a phenomenon known as the ‘conscientiousness bias,’ which occurs when people tend to view conscientious individuals in a more positive light than those who score low on the trait. In other words, we are more likely to see conscientious people as being responsible, organized, and efficient – even if that’s not always the case.
This may be because conscientiousness is considered a positive trait in today’s society, which means we are more likely to perceive someone as being ‘better’ if they score high on the scale.
Conclusion
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to being conscientious. Some people may find that they can achieve a lot of success by following rules and being highly organized, while others may feel bogged down by this type of lifestyle.
The important thing is to figure out what works for you and what makes you happy. If you feel like you need to be more conscientious to achieve your goals, then it’s a good idea to explore ways that you can do this.
If you are looking for affordable Online Counseling MantraCare can help: Book a trial therapy session
