Conscientiousness
as a personality trait is widely valued.
It turns out to be correlated with a variety of
positive outcomes such as weight control,
superior customer service, achievement in work and school and more., For
me, it remains of
primary significance as a beacon for
self control and in this context the main challenge is how is it
developed.
As
I have worked with conscientiousness, there remain three main challenges. How
to stay focused on what you want to be conscientious about…work habits,
personal self care, exercise, etc.
Second, what to do when the inevitable slip up happens and you are faced
with guilt and self criticism. (Or self compassion
as recommended by a recent researcher.) And third, how to gain consistent
belief in the value of what you are seeking to achieve.
This last element is what sets apart the
neophyte from the serious striver who seeks to live by a personal code. Beliefs
can come from two sources: our own experience and reflections, or as a blind
acceptance of what other people tell us. I have sought for years to live by
beliefs derived from my own experience and reflection. Oftentimes I have
remained unsure of the truthfulness of these beliefs, but their value in terms
of their positive effects on the quality my life has remained.
Living an intentional life calls for
conscientious application of thoughts to experience, in a directive manner.
Instead of simply responding to every impulse or expectation of others that
comes along, you try to live by certain directives and admonitions from your
own self.
On reflection it is clear to me that I have the capability
to produce the data from my own experience that might benefit others. Acting in accord with my own principles and ideals
on a consistent basis and knowing how I did it would be of interest, for sure.
But to make this claim I need validating results and while I have some to
report, the big break through eludes me. What remains is a continuing interest
in how conscientiousness is developed.
A recent article in Forbes argues that what is
needed is an index of conscientiousness to determine enduring qualities of good
employees. This article argues from Linked data that conscientiousness or
patience and responsibility are the most used terms in the business world today
suggesting that in the future employers will be especially looking for this
trait in their employees.
If it is to be highly valued then
companies should be interested in developing this trait. And this means
attention to how beliefs are held and developed for they provide the key to
implementation of resolves.
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