NPC: Epic, man

In video games, the Non-Playable Character (NPC) is an extremely valuable resource. They point you in the right direction, give you bits of info that turn into full-blown quests, sell you the goods you need to keep going, and bring deeper world immersion.

When you’re the Hero 24/7, the one always in the spotlight showcasing your skills and saving kingdoms left and right in the business world, you burn out. Call it self-care, call it balance, call it inner zen, but when I’m staring burnout right in the face, I have to switch to my inner NPC mode. In a global workplace that focuses on constant, continuous improvement, rampant innovation, and aggressive evolution, that inner NPC mode helps me conserve mental and emotional energy to keep going.