While many individuals use the word ‘neurotic’ in casual conversation, there seems to be widespread misunderstanding about what neuroticism truly means and how it can impact an individual’s quality of life. In this article, we will focus specifically on how high levels of neuroticism can affect people’s success and well-being in the workplace.
Defining Neuroticism
Neuroticism is one of the core personality dimensions known as the Big Five. It is defined by a tendency towards emotional instability and negative moods such as anxiety, sadness, anger, and self-doubt. An individual with high levels of neuroticism may find everyday stressors to be incredibly overwhelming and difficult to manage. For this reason, having the trait of neuroticism can negatively impact various areas of an individual’s life, such as work, relationships, and even health. Neuroticism is linked with increasing susceptibility to many different types of mental disorders.
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4 Ways Neuroticism Can Affect You At Work
While neuroticism is often associated with negative outcomes, there are various ways that it can impact an individual in the workplace. People who have high levels of neuroticism may find that this part of themselves hinders them in some ways; however, there are also benefits that neuroticism can offer. Let’s take a look at all of the ways in which neuroticism might impact one’s work performance:
1- Challenges with sustaining focus
One study revealed that people with high levels of neuroticism had more difficulty sustaining attention on the tasks in front of them for an extended length of time. This may be because individuals who are more neurotic are likely to spend a lot of time ruminating about the past or future, distracting them from the task that is right in front of them.
2- Increased susceptibility to emotional exhaustion and burnout
Research has identified the link between neuroticism and increased emotional exhaustion. An employee with a high level of neuroticism may be highly sensitive to job stressors. They likely experience negative emotions (like anger or anxiety) more frequently and intensely than others. Over time, particularly if they do not have healthy ways of coping with these stressors, it can lead to emotional depletion and burnout.
3- Strong desire to succeed
An employee with high levels of neuroticism is more likely to be aware of the negative outcomes they wish to avoid, such as failure or disappointing their boss or team. This can serve to motivate them to give 100% and continue improving their performance in their role.
4- Valuable perspective
An employee with a high level of neuroticism can be a beneficial part of their team due to their ability to anticipate and prepare for future problems. While potentially problematic in other ways, their overthinking and worry about the future can prove beneficial when it comes to making important decisions and identifying potential risks or pitfalls.
Is It Possible to Decrease Our Levels of Neuroticism?
Recent studies are determining that our personalities may not be as fixed as we once thought. There is reason to believe that there are actions we can take towards improving upon certain personality characteristics. While it may not be possible to eradicate our neuroticism altogether, there are strategies that can be helpful in managing neuroticism and mitigating the challenges that we may experience at work because of it.
One of the most beneficial tools for combating neuroticism is mindfulness, which involves turning towards our thoughts and feelings with curiosity and non-judgment. Practicing mindfulness can help us to acknowledge our emotions and move through them, while also maintaining distance and not becoming overtaken by them. It can also be beneficial to connect with a therapist in order to have a healthy outlet for processing negative emotions, which can help us avoid getting stuck in anxiety or frustration.
About The Author
Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.
