CHARACTER MOTIVATION THESAURUS

PURSUING A PASSION



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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:
Running an animal rescue and rehabilitation center
Publishing a book (or many books)
Becoming a lifelong learner of many things
Teaching others who are less fortunate
Becoming an advocate (to change laws that don't protect the world's citizens as they should, or becoming a champion of a cause or group, etc.)
Inventing and innovating in a specific area of interest
Learning to become better at something if personal importance (playing a musical instrument, cycling, knife-throwing, cooking, photography, etc.)
Traveling and cultural immersion
Healing others
Pursuing a collection
Charitable giving
Sailing around the world
Mentoring others (coaching, public speaking, etc.)
Making art

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: Passion-fulfillment will almost always be tied to self-actualization because the passion itself is something personally rewarding and "worthy" in one's own mind.
Esteem and Recognition: A character may choose to pursue a passion in hopes of mastering it to prove to others (and perhaps themselves) that they are worthy of respect and have value.
Love and Belonging: If a character struggles with relationships or feels adrift in life they may pursue a passion that allows for an opportunity to give back to others. By nature, this will lead to the connection they seek.
Safety and Security: If there is a threat to oneself or loved ones that is far out but approaching, a passion that is tied to ensuring safety would be a no-brainer to pursue.
Physiological Needs: A character who is struggling to make ends meet and take care of their own physical needs may see the passion as the only option to change their fate, even though it represents a risk as success with a passion will never be "overnight."

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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