Ep. 165 | Side Quests That Spark Growth (Ep. 143 Replay)

<p><strong>How to Disrupt the Monotony: Side Quests That Spark Growth (SuccessFlow Podcast Ep. 143 Replay).</strong></p><p>Steven Harris introduces a replay of SuccessFlow Podcast episode 143, focused on “side quests” as intentional, growth-oriented pursuits that disrupt day-to-day monotony without necessarily being a side hustle. In conversation with Phil, they distinguish side quests from passive hobbies, emphasizing challenge, creativity, and measurable endpoints (e.g., running a 5K, writing a weekly newsletter, learning AI). They connect the concept to gaming and “gamifying life,” and share business examples where side projects became major products, including 3M’s Post-it Notes, Google’s Gmail, Stewart Butterfield’s Flickr and Slack, Instagram’s pivot from Burbn, and Twitter emerging from a podcasting company. They also discuss Patagonia’s origins, Jesse Itzler’s “Misogi” annual challenge, and how side quests help prevent burnout by expanding identity beyond career and roles.</p><p><br></p><p>00:00 Replay Episode Intro</p><p>01:13 What Are Side Quests</p><p>02:11 Why Adults Need Them</p><p>04:18 Side Quest vs Hobby</p><p>05:39 Gaming Origin Metaphor</p><p>07:35 Goals Identity Shift</p><p>08:34 Side Quests In Business</p><p>09:13 Slack Flickr Origin Story</p><p>17:01 More Examples Twitter Patagonia</p><p>20:26 Your Own Side Quest Ideas</p><p>23:00 Misogi Annual Challenge</p><p>25:48 AI As A Side Quest</p><p>26:39 Who Are You Beyond Work</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Follow the SuccessFlow Podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠:</strong> ⁠<a href="https://www.instagram.com/successflowpodcast/"><u>⁠@successflowpodcast⁠⁠</u></a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>To connect with Steven and ways he can help:⁠</strong></p><p>Founder/Creator: ⁠⁠⁠<a href="about:blank"><u>www.oppoflowmindset.com⁠⁠ ⁠</u></a></p><p>Small Business Payroll - PHX Franchise Owner: ⁠⁠⁠<a href="about:blank"><u>www.journeypayrollhr.com⁠ ⁠⁠</u></a></p><p>Instagram: ⁠<a href="https://www.instagram.com/steven.oppo.flow/"><u>⁠@steven.oppo.flow ⁠</u></a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>To connect with Phil and contact directly: </strong>⁠⁠<a href="https://phillipcrawford.com/"><u>⁠https://phillipcrawford.com/⁠ ⁠⁠</u></a></p><p>X: ⁠⁠<a href="https://twitter.com/PhillipCrawford"><u>⁠@PhillipCrawford⁠ ⁠⁠</u></a></p><p>Instagram: ⁠<a href="https://www.instagram.com/flowstatecrawford/"><u>⁠@flowstatecrawford⁠</u></a></p><p><strong>⁠</strong></p><p><strong>Acknowledgements:</strong></p><p>The Intro and Outro Music credit to Holden Peyton. This podcast episode is produced and published by Dolphin Podcasting, LLC. Launch your podcast today at <a href="about:blank"><u>⁠⁠⁠www.DolphinPodcasting.com⁠⁠</u></a></p>