FEAR THESAURUS

BEING WRONG ABOUT SOMETHING IMPORTANT



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HELPFUL TIP:

A deeply embedded fear often stems from trauma, so it can be helpful to explore emotional wounds that may be a factor. Your character might also become risk-averse, which can create problems in their relationships and limit their fulfillment. And for a character to achieve their story goal, they must overcome any fear-based thinking that's holding them back. The Character Builder is a great resource for pulling all these factors together.
NOTES:
Few people like to admit to being wrong, but the stakes are especially high when it comes to deeply held beliefs. Being wrong about something meaningful can be devastating—shattering a character's confidence, affecting self-worth, and damaging their standing with those they respect. As you can imagine, being wrong when it matters is something they'll go to great lengths to avoid.

WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE:
Overthinking to be sure they're right
Doing a lot of research before committing to a way of thinking
Overexplaining their viewpoint to convince others they're right
Avoiding debates because they aren't confident in their ability to back up their belief
Downplaying their beliefs (in case they're disproven) 
Being hesitant to share deep beliefs
Sticking to popular talking points rather than elaborating or going deeper
Making a small concession—“Okay, maybe that situation is different”—but refusing to admit they were wrong
Changing the subject when someone challenges their viewpoint
Doubling down when challenged by others 
Getting defensive when challenged 
Demanding evidence from naysayers
Making sweeping judgments about people who think differently
Inflexibility; being unable to even consider an idea that goes against their beliefs
Surrounding themselves with people who share their ideas
A flight response in the face of discomfort (refusing to engage, walking away, etc.)
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COMMON INTERNAL STRUGGLES:
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FLAWS THAT MAY EMERGE:
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HINDRANCES AND DISRUPTIONS TO THE CHARACTER'S LIFE:
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EMOTIONAL WOUNDS IT COULD STEM FROM:
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SCENARIOS THAT MIGHT AWAKEN THIS FEAR :
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HUMAN NEEDS THAT COULD BE IMPACTED:
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GOALS MADE DIFFICULT BY THIS FEAR:
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CONFLICT SCENARIOS THAT OFFER GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES:
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HOW THE CHARACTER CAN MINIMIZE OR OVERCOME IT:
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