How To Make a Vision Board That Works

It’s a new year and chances are you’ve set some goals for yourself. To be successful, you will need to take some active steps toward those goals. One tool that can be useful in turning your dreams into reality is a vision board.

How to Make a Vision Board that Works

What is a vision board? Very simply, it is a collage of images and words that helps to inspire you to achieve your dreams. No matter what your goals are; to learn to be patient, to improve your relationships, to find your dream job, or to travel more – a vision board can help you on your journey. Vision boards are a great way to think through your goals and can be beneficial for your success. A vision board is a creative way to think about and process your goals.

Where to start

To begin, get clear on your vision. Take some time to figure out what is most important to you. What goals do you want to set for yourself? Think about what areas of your life you want to improve or change. Be realistic in what you plan to achieve and then focus on words and images that support those goals.

Create

Now it’s time to have fun! There are no rules for creating a vision board. In fact, they should reflect you and your personality, your dreams and wishes. They can be focused in one area or be as broad as you like. Start looking through old magazines and clip out images that represent your goals. Or, print images that inspire you from Pinterest and Instagram. If your goal is to eat healthy and get fit this year, you might clip out images of vibrant fruits and vegetables or glossy photos of people hiking or working out. Choose images that catch your eye and remind you of what is important to you. You can also add words to your board for inspiration like “balance, health” and “adventure.” Or, maybe you have some favorite inspirational quotes you want to add. You can include your own drawings and notes or use inspirational items that you may have collected; things like stickers, old concert tickets, pins or maps.

Arrange

Arrange your images and items on a background. A piece of poster board works well but you could also use a cork board or an old window. Spend some time rearranging your board until you feel inspired when you look at it. Once you have your layout complete, tape or glue your items in place. Then, find a place to put your board where you will see it every day.

Making it work

You’ve mapped out your goals, created your vision board, and placed it in a prominent place. Now what? Just sit back and wait for the magic to happen? Nope. This is where the active steps come in. A vision board is a useful tool in helping you to achieve your goals but it’s not the only tool.

Create an action plan

Now that you have your vision board as inspiration, start mapping out an action plan to get to where you want to go. Your action plan needs to include the steps you need to take to get to your goal. Get creative with your action plan by using colored pencils and highlighters for different steps. It’s a great way to visualize the steps and cement them in your brain.

Create a timeline

Your action plan should include a timeline. Set specific dates for small milestones in getting to your goal. Remember to make these steps realistic and achievable. Take steps every day toward your goal by sticking to the dates you have set.

Rewards

Reward yourself when you achieve an important milestone. Even small rewards can make us feel proud and fuel us to the next milestone. Rewarding yourself helps to keep you motivated to continue toward your goals. It also helps to reinforce new habits which promotes long-term growth.

Mindset

Get in the right mindset to achieve your goals. Your vision board should be a positive reminder of what you have set out to achieve. When you look at your vision board, see yourself achieving the things in the images. Close your eyes and envision what your life will be like when you reach your goals. Create a positive mental attitude toward yourself and believe that you have the power to make these changes happen.

You can do it

Vision boards are not magic, but they can be useful tools in helping us achieve our dreams. Let your vision board inspire you to make changes. Create an action plan and stick to it. Reward yourself for the progress you have made and continue to believe in yourself and your abilities. It is through the combination of all of these things that you will have the power to make your visions come true!

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Photo courtesy Pixabay/Sh1ra