Conscientiousness

These people are not impulsive. They are planners and they abide by schedules. They also do not miss bill payments, they take notes, keep their promises, and show up on time. They engage in self-care through exercise, proper sleep, and a healthy diet. They are less likely to engage in risky behaviors like smoking and heavy drinking.

One technique is mental contrasting, by which individuals imagine a goal, the path to the goal, and obstacles likely to be encountered along the way. Such a process can help people choose feasible goals and boost their commitment to achieving them. Both nature and nurture affect this personality trait, and people do become more conscientious as they age.

Yes. By and large, people behave consistently when the environment is consistent, but the behavior might not translate across domains. The degree of conscientiousness we bring to a task at our job does not predict how conscientious we'll be about bill paying or other personal matters. It is predictive of how conscientious we'll continue to be in work-related endeavors.

The conscientiousness among us may well be more empathic toward others. A Chinese study of 471 nurses found that empathy was positively associated with conscientiousness and agreeableness, while it was negatively associated with neuroticism. 
 

Studies in behavioral genetics have shown that this trait is about half attributable to genetics, and half to the environment in which someone is raised, or to developmental factors that are not presently understood. Anatomically, the prefrontal cortex, site of all executive function, is critical in managing behavior that reflects conscientiousness.  

Diligent and thorough people will stick to a problem until it is solved. If they fail, they will keep trying. They are not necessarily smarter than anyone else in the room, nor will they execute a task better than others. They will, however, plug away toward a successful resolution.

People high in conscientiousness do abide by certain rules of living. They are, for example, more likely to drive at the speed limit and take responsibility for problems that come up. This also applies to relationships and the obligations that come with them.

The less conscientious may oversleep, and be late for class or work and avoid tasks that demand action. But being on time is an important trait of the conscientious person. They keep To-Do lists, are usually prepared, attend to tasks without delay, and prefer orderly routine. They are avid note takers and they write first drafts.

Research has found that conscientiousness may mean lower blood pressure, lower rates of diabetes and stroke, fewer joint problems, among other health outcomes. In general, the conscientious person maintains self-care to a higher degree and enjoys a longer life, as well.

People at the higher end of the conscientious scale may be at risk of perfectionism and workaholism and may fare poorly under conditions of high stress. As mentioned, overly conscientious people are prone to burnout. Those low in conscientiousness may conversely exhibit flexibility and spontaneity.