CONFLICT THESAURUS

FAILING AT SOMETHING



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HELPFUL TIP:

Conflict is your story’s secret sauce, supplying tension, friction, and complications to a character’s journey. It comes in a million different forms, so identify the obstacles and problems that will hit your character the hardest by using the Character Builder to uncover their primary insecurities, fears , and desires. Don’t forget to include everyday conflict scenarios that will frustrate them and keep the pressure high.
CATEGORY:
Power struggles, failures and mistakes, relationship friction, duty and responsibility, losing an advantage, loss of control, ego-related conflict

EXAMPLES:
Blowing an important business opportunity (failing to land a client, losing out on a promotion, doing or saying something that results in a demotion, etc.)
Getting fired
Having to file for bankruptcy
Having to file for divorce
Flunking out of school
Giving up on a venture before it has a chance to succeed (because it's scary or risky, because it's something the character has never done before, etc.)
Losing an important race, contest, competition, etc.
Failing at parenting (choosing not to be involved, failing to adequately connect, putting work before one's children, etc.) that results in estrangement or a broken relationship
Failing to overcome an addiction, unhealthy habit, or pattern of behavior

MINOR COMPLICATIONS:
Continuing to live in circumstances that are less than ideal
Living beneath one's true potential
A pattern of underachieving due to a fear of failure or change
Having to start over with a new job, goal, etc.
Getting unwanted advice or commentary from friends and loved ones

POTENTIALLY DISASTROUS RESULTS:
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RESULTING EMOTIONS:
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POSSIBLE INTERNAL STRUGGLES:
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PEOPLE WHO COULD BE NEGATIVELY AFFECTED:
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NEGATIVE TRAITS THAT COULD MAKE THE SITUATION WORSE:
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IMPACT ON BASIC NEEDS:
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WOUNDS THIS COULD LEAD TO:
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POSITIVE TRAITS TO HELP THE CHARACTER COPE:
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POSITIVE OUTCOMES:
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