In the full-game campaign categories, every time you progress a personal quest, an unskippable delay occurs. Completing a personal quest forces retirement, costing even more time. As such, it is optimal to choose personal quests that you are least likely to progress during the run. Here's a ranking of all the personal quests for every campaign category.

End of Gloom

Best (0 delays) - Finding the Cure - A Study of Anatomy (Easy) - Pounds of Flesh - Implement of Light - The Thin Places - Piety in All Things - Zealot of the Blood God (Easy) - The Fall of Man - A Helping Hand

Good (1-2 Delays) - Seeker of Xorn - Vengeance - Augmented Abilities - The Perfect Poison

Okay (3-4 Delays) - Merchant Class - A Study of Anatomy (Insane) - Law Bringer - Take Back the Trees - Fearless Stand - Zealot of the Blood God (Insane) - Elemental Samples

Bad (5+ Delays, Possible Retirement) - Greed is Good - Trophy Hunt - Battle Legend - Aberrant Slayer

Worst (Guaranteed Retirement) - Eternal Wanderer - Goliath Toppler