While worst-case scenarios are one type of obstacle your protagonist must overcome, there are others. Hobson’s Choice dilemmas are a great tool – Your character must decide which one of two people will live and which will die.
Or your alcoholic character has years of sobriety behind him, but needs to drink to prove he’s “one of the guys.” Or shoot heroin. Or your character picks up a gun after swearing never to again. A no-win situation is a terrific opportunity to reveal your character’s soul.
You can see all my Writing Lite tips thus far here on Pinterest.