What’s Your Vision?
Many of us have a general idea of what we want out of life, what drives us and what makes us happy. While having a general idea is good, having a specific plan is even better. If you don’t quite have specific goals, it’s not too late to set some and start working towards them. A great way to do this is to use a vision board. A vision board is simply a visual representation of your goals and desires on a poster board. Images of anything you want to be, do, or have in your life are used to represent your personal goals and wishes. The main objective when you look at your board is to help you feel how you want to feel once you achieve your goals.
So you’re probably asking yourself, “how do I make a vision board”. The first thing you want to do is spend some time reflecting on your life now, how you feel about it and what you would like to improve. When you look back on your life years from now, what will you be most proud of? What does your ideal future look like and how is it different from now? Finding the answers to these questions can help you find greater purpose and direction in creating your vision board. I suggest writing these answers down to give your board some context and to help give you the inspiration needed for your board.
Your vision board doesn’t have to be limited to just images. You can use phrases or words that represent what you want or who you want to be. If you’ve had a hard time staying motivated and focused on things you want and need to do, a vision board can help you overcome these challenges. On those tough days and during those difficult moments in your life, your vision board will serve as a reminder of where you really want to be and what you’re striving to accomplish. It sends the message that whatever you’re going through now is just temporary and will pass.
Creating a vision board can be a fun and creative way to organize your thoughts about what you really want in life. Try to focus on how you want to feel, rather than the material things you hope to acquire. The best thing about a vision board is that there are no rules and you can’t mess it up. Thankfully for many of us, having artistic ability is not a prerequisite for making a functional board. You can use pictures, words or phrases that embody what you hope to accomplish in your life or even the type of person you hope to become. Visualization is powerful and the brain responds to the images and words it sees, especially if the exposure is frequent. Find images of anything that motivates and inspires you. If you have several goals in mind, you can also have multiple boards that represent each goal. Avoiding an “everything” board can help you set and prioritize your goals. Your board can cover anything from relationships, career, health, travel, finances, parenting and the list goes on. There truly is no limit.
The hardest part of making the vision board is choosing the topic. Once you’ve mastered the topic, the fun begins. Each picture, image or phrase should evoke a positive emotional response from you. A sheer glance at your board should fuel your passion and motivate you every time you see it. If you find that as time goes on, your board doesn’t fuel the same passion inside of you as it once did, then it may be time to update your board. As your vision shifts and changes, so should your board. Vision boards are inexpensive to make and the potential value is immeasurable. Once you’ve figured out what you want in life, you can commit yourself fully towards making your goals a reality.
