In many RPGs, side quests can be worth vast amounts of EXP. I recently completed two.
The loot in my right hand is my A+ Certificate. Before starting my new job, I was at a point where I was ready to test some of my newfound discipline. I was frustrated, however, by my inability to settle on a direction for my focus. First I needed a quest to test the waters and gain confidence in my new skills. When working on my Professional Development plan, I came across this grand opportunity. It was a challenge because I set myself an ambitious timetable. And because I haven’t taken an important exam in a very long time. And because the material is sometimes a teensy bit dry.
The second side quest was not as expected. Adjusting to working full time after staying at home with my kids for almost 3 years was a much bigger challenge than I anticipated, and everything is essentially humming along now.
For these two epic quests combined, I have awarded myself an entire level.
But now I am feeling a familiar nagging in the back of my mind. It is the same feeling I had when I started this adventure. Then, it was driven by my awareness of my complete lack of discipline and my attempts to make self-improvement hard to refuse.
Now I have the advantage of being able to look back at the progress I made, and realize that although I have slid on some of my goals, I do not have to start all over. I am ready to level up.
I resisted the urge to jump on the fascinating diversion of game design theory, gave the site a face-lift and set up my worksheet.
I've decided I quite like the idea of side quests. My main training regiment is now made of things that I would like to be doing regularly. A way to build new habits and grow. Side quests aren't new habits I am trying to build, rather things I need to get done. Unless specified, there are no deadlines. They don't even have to be completed by the end of the level in which they are started. Although, perhaps bonus points are in order if they are?
Behold: My current Side Quests
