Life

5 ‘Side Quests’ In Life That Will Pay You Forever

A new year brings new opportunities for us to level up and improve ourselves. Have you thought about what goals you wish to accomplish this year? While most people focus on their “main storyline” that involves their career, family and daily responsibilities, few take the time to invest in the “side quests” that quietly shape personal growth. But what are “side quests”? They are small, often overlooked habits that build skills you can carry into your future. Every small action you take to improve your life counts as a side quest. It could be a 5-minute daily self-reflection session, a solo travel experience, or simply developing a more positive mindset through self-complimenting. To help you cut through the noise, we have put together a list of side quests that can change your life for the better.1. Commit to a sport or fitness routineIf your resolution is to become healthier, this side quest should be on your to-do list for 2026. However, there is a difference between working out occasionally and committing to a sport or routine. Whether it is going to the gym or picking up pickleball, building a fitness habit requires a lot of self-discipline and consistency. It means showing up week after week, even when you don’t feel like it, or are “too tired” to work out. But before you throw in the towel because it feels too difficult to commit, think about the long-term rewards – it might just make all your effort worthwhile. Beyond the physical benefits of keeping fit and healthy, committing to a sport or routine strengthens self-discipline. People who maintain sports habits often carry that discipline into their careers and personal life. It encourages follow-through and resilience, making us less likely to give up when challenges arise. To make this a part of your life, start small by working out once a week, then gradually increase the intensity or consistency. Using a habit-tracking app can help keep you motivated by turning each completed session into a small win.2. Schedule 30-minute self-enrichment time blocksWhile many of us prioritise our careers, there is more to our story that is waiting to be explored. Set aside time to engage in activities and hobbies that can enrich your life. It does not have to be long – even 30 minutes is enough. Use that time to learn a new language, write a short story, read, or learn more about investing. These sessions may seem insignificant but do it every day and they add up to close to 15 hours a month. That’s enough time to build new skills without the risk of burnout. More importantly, these time blocks serve as a mental breather for you to unwind after a long day of work. It is a simple time dedicated to doing things that you like. If you need help learning how to invest, here are several articles that can help you: ​New To Investing? Here Are Some Power Moves​The 10 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Investing Your MoneyArrr You Ready To Collect Gold Coins? Keep Your Booty Safe With These Tips3. Get better at communicatingIt is human nature to avoid conflicts, but ignoring issues often makes them worse. This is where effective communication becomes essential. Learning how to communicate better may seem like a small step, but it is valued in both the workplace and in social settings, as it helps us build stronger relationships with fewer misunderstandings. There are many ways to improve communication skills; one proven method is to be an active listener. When someone speaks, put your phone away and give them your full attention. If you have trouble staying focused, try repeating what they are saying in your head. This helps your brain reinforce the message. Another challenge people often face, especially in the workplace, is learning to say “no”. While many of us see this word as a gateway to conflict, saying “no” respectfully is not a barrier to communication – it’s actually a key part of it.4. Recognise your mental barriersSometimes, the only thing holding us back from achieving our goals is ourselves. Not many people realise that mental barriers such as overthinking, self-doubt, and even perfectionism could be keeping us down. By identifying these barriers, we can begin to understand what has been limiting us from reaching our full potential. From there, we can take small steps to change and weaken their impact over time. One way is through self-reflection. Self-help books, like 9 Habits of Unproductive People by David Brinkley, can also help you notice patterns in yourself that you might not have been aware of before. Each mental barrier requires a different approach, and finding what works for you is a personal journey. Be patient with yourself, as progress takes time.5. Figure out your spending triggersOne of the biggest ‘villains’ standing in the way of our financial goals is impulse spending. If left unchecked, it can quietly eat away at our savings and pull us further from our long-term goals. Fortunately, there are signs that indicate when we are spending on impulse. Those signs are your “spending triggers”. By identifying your triggers, you can nip impulses in the bud and avoid unnecessary purchases. Spending triggers vary from person to person, but common ones include a bad day at work, peer pressure, FOMO, or limited-time deals. If you feel the need to justify your purchase, chances are you do not need it. By conquering this side quest, you will unlock smarter spending habits. While we cannot predict what the future holds, these side quests can strengthen our character and enrich our entire storyline. So, remember to invest time in these side missions too – they might just upgrade your status to godlike.