6 Solutions To Avoid The Life Of An NPC

NPCs (Non-Player Characters). The characters in video games who populate towns, offer side quests or mutter the same three lines of dialogue on repeat.

They’re essential to the game world but have one glaring flaw: they lack agency.

Their roles are scripted, their lives confined to a narrow set of behaviours, paths and possibilities.

Turns out there is remarkable crossover between real people and NPCs.

What Makes an NPC?

To understand how to avoid living like an NPC, let’s define the characteristics first.

1. Passivity: NPCs react to events, they don’t initiate them. Their actions are predetermined, leaving no room for growth, change or self-determination.

2. Scripted Repetition: Much like the blacksmith who always only has a fresh stock of swords to sell you, NPCs follow a narrow path. In real life, this might manifest as unchanging routines or a refusal to explore new ideas or experiences.

3. Bound to Their World: An NPC’s existence is tied to the game’s confines. They cannot imagine, much less act, beyond their programmed reality. This mirrors people — particularly the cohort of those that embraced victimhood culture — who never question their surroundings, habits or circumstances.

4. Easily Exploited: NPCs cannot think critically or adapt, making them susceptible to manipulation. Whether it’s a gamer exploiting an NPC for the purposes of an in-game glitch or a person being taken advantage of in real life, the pattern is the same.

5. Conforming to Environment: NPCs are adapted to their location — often rigidly. If their surroundings don’t suit them, they stay put. They rarely move to new places or step outside predefined roles.

6. Limited Roles: NPCs exist to fulfill a single purpose — the shopkeeper, the guard, the priest. The brightest minds and renowned characters in real life are polymathic. They absorb knowledge from different areas and play many different roles at once.

7. No Aspirations: NPCs have no dreams or desire to better their situation. They exist simply to “be.”

Avoiding the NPC Mindset

To avoid being the side character in some one else’s story, here’s what you need to do:

1. Develop Agency & Avoid Reactivity: Proactively plan your days, weeks, and months. Don’t simply react to circumstances. Almost all of my best days happen when I plan them in advance, not when I let them happen to me. Identify patterns where you’re constantly reacting to others’ needs or external demands.

2. Design Your Environment: Your surroundings influence your behavior. Whether it’s the people you spend time with, the decor of your workspace or even the city you live in, ensure your environment supports the person you want to become.

3. Stay Open to Change: Strong beliefs, loosely held. Be open to revising your ideas and behaviours when new information or opportunities arise. Avoid becoming the proverbial shopkeeper who’s been selling the same “fresh bread” or “climate crisis” for decades.

4. Think Critically: NPCs can’t question their programming, but you can. Ask yourself why you do what you do. Are your routines serving you? Are your beliefs grounded in reality? Regular self-reflection is key.

5. Cultivate Aspirations: Dream beyond your current circumstances. Whether it’s a skill you want to master, a career shift or a personal project, ensure there’s always something pulling you forward.

6. Avoid Exploitation: Take stock of your relationships. Are there people or situations taking more from you than they give? If so, consider how to establish boundaries or redirect your time and energy.

From NPC to Main Character

The good news is, in self-selecting to sign up for this newsletter you’ve already demonstrated most of the qualities necessary to avoid the life of an NPC.

Main characters shape the world, make impactful choices and pursue goals beyond what’s expected of them.

If those ideas don’t sound like you, it’s never too late to respawn.

The game of life is vast and filled with infinite side quests. Make sure you’re playing to your fullest potential.

Words I Wish I Wrote

A friend recently described this as the Marvel post-credits scene of the newsletter 😂

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