I can safely say that we’ve all heard of a vision board before, even if we’ve never experienced creating one for ourselves. But do you know exactly what it is, how it works, or how it could benefit you?
While undoubtedly eye-catching and a fun DIY activity, a vision board is about more than just aesthetics. In reality, a vision board is a manifestation tool to help you achieve your goals.
The truth is, putting pictures on a board won’t magically make things happen – you have to be willing to invest in it. But the purpose of a vision board is to help you get a clearer picture of what you want most in life and to remind yourself daily of what you’re working towards.
There’s no hard and fast set of rules for how you’ll go about it – it’s about expressing your vision in the way that works best for you. Maybe you want to think about long-term goals and the big picture. Or maybe it’s about focusing on a specific area of your life that you want to pay special attention to. Take a look online for ideas and inspiration, but know that there’s no wrong way to do it. Own your vision!
To help you get started, here are six steps to creating a vision board that actually delivers…
What do you want the most, really?
Think big – what are your values, your overall goals? Where do you want your life to be in 5 or 10 years? To help you find your way around, ask yourself these questions:
1. How do you want to feel?
It will help you focus less on your possessions and have an emotional connection to your goals. Maybe you’ve seen a pair of designer shoes or a fancy car that an influencer you follow posted online, and you can’t stop thinking about it. But is it the item you really want, or is it the confidence you could bring walking in these shoes, or the excitement, freedom and thrill of an open road? Once you have identified what you truly desire, you can connect more to your vision and develop a plan to achieve it.
2. Who do you admire the most?
Maybe it’s their accomplishments, or their lifestyle, their tenacity, their open-mindedness? Do you envy the life of an influencer? Is it the wealth that piques your interest the most, the fact that he’s his own “boss” or that he seems to be able to spend more time with his family? Once you understand what attracts you, you can think about how you can work to achieve more of it in your own life.
3. What is your why?
Asking this question and repeating it will help you deepen your true values. Want a luxury vacation to relax? This may work well, but what else could help you relax on a more regular day, and how could you fit more into your routine? Understanding your underlying motivation helps create a meaningful vision for the future.
4. What can you conclude?
Considering your answers, do you see an underlying theme? Could you summarize your goals with a word or phrase that emphasizes the theme of your goals? Once you know this, you can explore all the ways you can work to achieve this in your life.
Collect your thoughts.
That’s the fun part: displaying your vision in a way that resonates with you the most. You can use pictures or photographs (printed or cut out from magazines), maybe plane ticket stubs (if you’re keen on travelling), recipe scraps (if you’re looking to explore new skills), or quotes (potentially handwritten with calligraphy) – whatever best translates your dream for you. Perhaps you could create an affirmation based on your theme word, which can be a sentence to reinforce your vision and include it on the board? It’s time to get creative.
Put it in plain view.
Whether it’s a physical collage on a wall, a picture frame, or a digital phone background, be sure to keep your vision board somewhere you’ll see it regularly. It encourages motivation and reminds you of what you are working towards.
The vision board is just the beginning…
From there, you need to take concrete steps to make your dreams a reality. For example, if you want to write a book, make it a goal to write a certain number of words a day, so you get into the habit.
Remember that your vision can change.
You can keep adding, updating, or creating new vision boards – or even specific boards for different areas of your life. It is a practice that helps you connect with yourself and give direction to your dreams.
Recognize your accomplishments.
Pay attention to those victories, no matter how small, and congratulate yourself on your progress. It’s important to recognize how you’re growing, to keep that motivation moving forward. You have this.
For more support on protesting or living the life you really want, visit lifecoach-directory.org.uk
