Ecological motto in green guidance
The method involves a group activity where participants choose an inspirational eco-motto from influential figures and reflect on its meaning and relevance to their lives. The aim is to help individuals connect with ecological values and apply them to their career development or life goals, using narrative techniques to engage even those less familiar with environmental topics. Participants are invited to formulate their own motto. Through this method, participants explore how eco-consciousness can be integrated into everyday life and future career paths, promoting reflection on how to live sustainably. It includes a Handout with a list of quotes of influential people (mostly English speaking).
The narrative approach is usable not only for clients who are committed or sympathetic to green issues and for green professions, but also for groups who includes participants, that are ambivalent or show reservation about these issues. Through the activity they can gain inspiration and identification with someone successful in the field of ecology working in different professions.
Inspiration for the tool
Slovak innovation factory
Rationale: Why is this needed?
For many clients, green topics are new, or they lack sufficient information or inspiration in this area and need to be inspired by other people or successful stories from this field. Based on these inspirations, they can set their own goals, which are important for changing their behavior in their professional life.
Objectives
At the end of the session the participants will:
- define their own goals with an ecological focus, using the mottos of inspirational figures as a starting point.
- choose a motto that resonates with them and explore how it can guide their life choices and career path, especially in relation to ecological values or a green approach to life.
- gain a fresh perspective by drawing inspiration from real individuals across different industries who integrate sustainability into their personal and professional lives.
Resources needed
- a worksheet with mottos for the facilitator (Annex 1)
- optional: paper and pen (or a PC in case of an online session) to mark key themes or topics, when discussing in groups
Activities
Instructions for the Facilitator:
Cut out the pre-prepared worksheet into individual quotes and display them in a visible space. Before starting the activity, clearly explain its purpose and give precise instructions to the group.
1. Choosing a motto:
Participants will read the displayed mottos and select the one that resonates with them the most.
(Optional: Participants can also look up eco-inspired mottos online and add any meaningful ones to the list provided.)
2. Guided reflection:
The facilitator guides participants through a reflection using the following questions:
- What drew you to this motto? In what way did it inspire you?
- What is important to you in this motto? What personal experiences or values do you associate with it?
- How do you interpret this quote? Why do you think it speaks to you in that way?
- What, if anything, would you add or change in this motto to make it fully yours?
- Is there a motto that doesn’t speak to you at all? Why do you think that is?
- If you were to create your own eco-motto, what would it be? (Write it down in the worksheet.)
- How could you integrate this motto into your everyday life?
- What actions could you take to live according to your motto?
3. Small group sharing:
Participants form small groups of 3–4 people to share their reflections and listen to others’ insights.
4. Group discussion and debrief:
The facilitator invites the whole group to share key takeaways. They may use prompts such as:
- What is the first small step you could take?
- What did you discover about yourself through this activity?
- What did you find helpful or thought-provoking about the mottos?
- What are you taking away from today’s session?
- How would you like to apply this reflection to your life or career?
Extension activities
The handout is designed for use in a group session lasting one lesson, but it can also be easily adapted for individual career guidance. The reflection questions in Step 2 are varied, allowing the facilitator to select those most appropriate for the specific context and target group. For example, the activity can be integrated into a career guidance process to support career planning, goal-setting, or the development of career management skills.