CHARACTER MOTIVATION THESAURUS

DISCOVERING ONE'S TRUE SELF



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HELPFUL TIP:

To understand why your character is driven toward a certain goal, get to know their positive and negative traits, as well as any significant emotional wounds that might be motivating them. Then you can explore the various kinds of conflict that could block them as they move toward their goal.
FORMS THIS MIGHT TAKE:
Achieving independence
Embracing one's sexual identity
Embracing one's true gender identity
Exploring the passions that one has been discouraged from pursuing
Seeking education to better understand one's beliefs (about the world and how one fits in it, spirituality, etc.)
Embracing travel and new experiences as a way of leaving one's comfort zone
Taking on a big challenge which requires self-reliance and sacrifice

HUMAN NEED DRIVING THE GOAL (INNER MOTIVATION):
There are five basic human needs that, when missing from a character's life, could motivate them to pursue this goal. The following needs are all possibilities, but only one of them should be the primary driver for any given character. For more information on the relationship between human needs and outer motivations, please see​ this ​Character Motivation tutorial.

Self-Actualization: A character who has been living a half-life by hiding who they are (beliefs, dreams, identity, etc.) may choose to embrace their true selves so they can move forward as someone whole. 
Physiological Needs: A character who is struggling with depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts as a result of repressing their identity or beliefs will have to embrace who they are in order to prevent these dark feelings from taking over. 

HOW THE CHARACTER MAY PREPARE FOR THIS GOAL:
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POSSIBLE SACRIFICES OR COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS GOAL:
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ROADBLOCKS WHICH COULD PREVENT THIS GOAL FROM BEING ACHIEVED:
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TALENTS & SKILLS THAT WILL HELP THE CHARACTER ACHIEVE THIS GOAL:
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WHAT'S AT STAKE IF THIS GOAL ISN'T MET?
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