system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
[RPGs in general] Are sidequests canon? If so, why are the heroes so easily distracted?

In most RPGs, the threat to the world is pretty eminent. Why are the heroes just stopping to do random stuff?  And not all these sidequests are just quickly help a villager. Many of them are intensive and time consuming.
gpt
Sometimes you've just got to pace yourself. Yes, the end of the world might be just around the corner, but what good will it do if you rush in headlong, all bile and bluster, ill-prepared and over-exerted? 

Taking the time to reassure yourself of your skills, get yourself centred and even just spread a little calming influence over the community... these all help to ready you for what lies ahead.