Cause of methodicalness

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Cause of the personality trait of methodicalness

Def. Methodical. adj. 1. Arranged in or proceeding according to a regular, systematic order. 2. (of a person) orderly or systematic in thought or behavior.

Syn. orderly, well ordered, well organized, well thought out, planned, well planned, efficient, businesslike, coherent, systematic, scientific, logical, analytic, formal, regular, well regulated, disciplined; meticulous, punctilious, tidy, neat

Ant. disorganized, chaotic, inefficient

Q. Some people are very methodical, orderly, and systematic. What causes this personality trait? Where does it come from?

A. It is a habit. It starts as other habits start (by repeatedly doing a thing) and becomes a deeply ingrained aspect of a person's personality. How does it get started in the first place? It gets started initially through the person's intuitive recognition of the merit and power that lies in method, system and organization i.e. the realization that if you do things in an organized, systematic way it is easier to keep them straight, you are less likely to get them confused (the realization that you can do things better, more efficiently, and with less error if you do them in an organized, systematic way). It is just the best way of doing things if you wish to do them right and do them well. It probably starts with another personality trait: conscientiousness, that inner need to do things right, to do them well. The conscientious person, for example, in his desire to do things right, and to do them in as efficient way as possible, may start employing system and method as a way of doing things. To do a thing in an organized, methodical way may take longer and be harder in the short run but the person realizes that it is faster and easier in the long run. It is all a reasoned and disciplined approach to life. The person who goes to method and system as a way of doing things is: 1. A person with good judgment, good common sense 2. A tactician, strategist, and planner who thinks in terms of tactics and strategies in regard to doing things 3. A person who is willing to put in the extra time and effort required to do things right (knowing that it pays off in the end) 4. A person who acts on reason 5. A person who can place himself under a personal regimen and discipline 6. A person who is interested in doing things in the best, most efficient, way. Example. The orderly, methodical person who keeps everything in its proper place. It takes a little time to figure out where the best place would be to keep each thing (it takes a little planning and thought) and it takes extra time and work to put everything back into its proper place after you use it. However, he knows it is worth it and he does it all automatically and without thought because it has become such an ingrained part of his personality. To a person like this the person who is disorganized and messy is shortsighted, lazy, undisciplined, indifferent and careless.

July 1992