IT WAS the early 2000s, and I was preparing to fight one of the greatest battles of my childhood. My heart is pounding in my chest, every sense sharpened by the countless hours I had spent preparing for this moment. I had endured setbacks and trained tirelessly again and again. This was it: the ultimate test of patience and skill. But this scene wasn’t a battlefield marked by war and chaos. Instead, my opponent was the final boss in one of the most iconic video games of the ’90s.
Da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da!
That’s the sound of victory, the music that follows every win. But that afternoon, the music never played. I couldn’t defeat the final boss. The first defeat was tolerable. The second, a challenge. By the third, I realised this was no ordinary battle. Hours passed, and still, victory eluded me. The reason became clear: I simply wasn’t strong enough—yet.
Determined, I made the tough decision to reload my save file to a point before the final battle. My mission? To wander, grind, and level up. It was a repetitive, sometimes tedious process—seeking out smaller battles, gaining experience, and slowly increasing my stats. Eventually, after much persistence, I returned to the final boss, stronger and more prepared, finally earning the right to hear that victorious theme.
Reflecting on this experience, I see a parallel between role-playing games (RPGs) and building a professional career. In RPGs, you start with nothing—no experience, no gold, no skills, no weapons. Yet, as you progress, you meet new characters—some pivotal, others fleeting. Each encounter, each challenge, adds to your experience, raising your level and unlocking new abilities. Your stats—health, strength, defence, magic—grow with every milestone. The higher your level, the more formidable you become, and the more complex the challenges you can face.
Gold (or “gil”, in this game) is earned through victories, allowing you to buy better equipment or replenish your resources. But no matter how much gold you have, certain weapons and skills remain locked until you reach the required level. Progress is not just about resources; it’s about growth.
Much like in an RPG, a professional career—especially in the field of auditing—begins with humble beginnings. As a fresh graduate, you start with limited experience and knowledge. Early tasks may seem repetitive, similar to grinding for experience points in a game. But these foundational experiences are crucial. Each audit engagement, each client interaction, and each challenge faced is an opportunity to “level up”—to gain new skills and expand your knowledge, as well as your social skills.
Along the way, you encounter mentors, colleagues, and clients—some who will shape your journey, others who will test your patience. Promotions and new responsibilities are the professional equivalents of unlocking new skills or acquiring powerful equipment in a game. Just as in the game, there are no shortcuts: you cannot wield the most powerful tools or take on the toughest assignments until you have earned experience.
However, just like in an RPG, the main storyline isn’t the only path to growth. There are countless “side quests”—optional challenges that may not seem essential but often lead to rewards. In my career, these side quests have included coaching and mentoring junior colleagues, joining firm initiatives, or performing administrative tasks. While they might not always be directly tied to promotions, these experiences have enriched my skills, broadened my perspective, and built relationships that proved invaluable during tougher battles.
There will be moments when you face your own “final bosses”—complex accounting issues, tight deadlines, or even an interview for a promotion. Occasionally, you may fall short. But these setbacks are not failures; they are signals that it’s time to step back, reflect, and invest in further growth. Perhaps you need to revisit the basics, seek guidance, or take on smaller projects to improve your weaknesses and build your competence.
However, unlike in my experience, real life does not offer the luxury of reloading a previous save file. Every decision, every action—good or bad—becomes part of your story. There are no do-overs or shortcuts to erase mistakes or instantly gain experience. That’s why it’s important to think carefully, plan your career moves, and learn from every challenge along the way. Gaining experience is not the only way to succeed, but it is undeniably one of the most reliable.
Ultimately, whether you’re in auditing or any other field, your career is more than just a series of levels to complete or bosses to defeat. It’s an adventure—with a main storyline, side quests, victories, setbacks, and moments of quiet growth. Embrace your personal journey and find meaning in both your accomplishments and the grind. And while we may not hear a victory theme after every success, the satisfaction of knowing we’ve truly earned our achievements is reward enough.
Anthony Waje is a Senior Manager for the Audit & Assurance Practice Area at P&A Grant Thornton. One of the leading audit, tax, advisory, and outsourcing firms in the Philippines, P&A Grant Thornton is composed of 29 Partners and 1,500 staff members. We’d like to hear from you! Connect with us on LinkedIn and like us on Facebook: P&A Grant Thornton and email your comments to business.development@ph.gt.com. For more information, visit our website: www.grantthornton.com.ph.
