A motto is a sentence or phrase that sums up a guiding belief or philosophy. Your personal motto will be a short sentence or phrase that helps guide you.
Writing your personal motto gives you an opportunity to reflect on your values and goals as well as considering what inspires you. Your motto can become a centering phrase as you move through life and can help you focus on what’s important.
A major part of writing a personal motto is being able to articulate your values. You may want to reflect on the questions below before starting your research.
What are my values?
In what ways do my words and actions reflect or fail to reflect my values?
What are areas in which I’m doing well and what are areas in which I could improve?
How am I caring for myself so that I am mentally and physically at my best?
What have I learned about myself today (this week, this month, this year)?
Source: Morin, Silke. “Five Tips on Self-Reflection for Personal Growth.” HealthyPlace, Health on the Net Foundation, 22 Aug. 2017, http://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/livingablissfullife/2016/12/self-reflection-a-valuable-tool-for-personal-growth/.
Start by researching mottos by completing the Personal Motto Research doc. This will give you inspiration and practice with citations. Use the resources below to find quotations.
Then, use the Craft Your Motto! sheet to self-reflect and create your final motto.
Use the Sample Motto Research doc to help you.
New York Public Library: How to Research Quotations
Use this as a general guide, focus on the On the Web resource section
Try to verify the quotation using a search engine