9 Essential Tips To Make A Vision Board That Actually Works
A vision board is more than just a collage of aesthetic pictures. It’s a powerful tool that bridges the gap between your biggest dreams and your everyday life.
While vision boards can definitely lean into woo-woo territory, the science behind them is remarkably grounded.
Athletes have used visualization for decades to mentally rehearse their moves and measurably improve their performance.
Because when you create a visual representation of your goals, you aren’t just daydreaming. You’re boosting your motivation and priming your brain to recognize opportunities.
Vision boards take over social media feeds every January, and they’re a powerful way to make New Year’s resolutions stick.
But you shouldn’t wait for January to harness that incredible power of visualization.
Whether you’re navigating a major life change or just need a boost of clarity, it’s ALWAYS the right time for a vision board.
But how do you create a vision board that actually works?
I’m a vision board junkie and I create these inspiring collages throughout the year whenever I need a lift.
So here’s my ultimate guide to creating a vision board that goes beyond aesthetics and actually works:
1. Pick a theme
Take 15 minutes to journal about your current life and make an honest list of what’s going well and what needs to change.
Think about your ideal future. Then make a list of your goals whether that’s buying a new home, eating healthier or improving your relationships.
Your goals can also be broader intentions like healing from trauma, being more mindful or finding more joy in everyday life.
Your board can also include emotions you’d like to feel more of in your life.
Divide your goals into categories like:
- career
- finances
- family and relationships
- fulfillment and happiness
- spirituality
- travel
- health
- home
- personal growth
- love, inner peace
- hobbies and interests
- social life and friendship
2. Gather your vision board materials
Prepare all the materials you’ll need to create your vision board.
These can include stacks of magazines or a laptop where you can search online for inspiring visuals. Pinterest is also a great tool to find imagery that reflects your ideal life.
Materials you’ll need:
- magazines
- brochures
- inspirational quotes
- postcards
- catalogs
- online images
- a poster board
- scissors
- a glue stick
- pen and paper
Pick up some magazines at your local thrift store or used book shop. Or make a vision board online with Canva or Photoshop.
But your board doesn’t have to be all images. Use quotes, illustrations, affirmations or anything else that inspires you towards your goals.
3. Lay out your board
Divide your vision board into blocks – one block for healthy eating, another for relationships, etc.
Lay out any images that inspire you towards that goal.
For example: select flatlays of colorful Asian salads for your “healthy eating” block, or quaint Parisian cafes for your “travel” block.
Pick vibrant images that really speak to you, and be specific. If you’d like to travel more, then get detailed on your destination, the season and the area you’d like to visit.
Don’t pick a generic image of a beach that doesn’t inspire any feelings for you.
4. Create your board online
Use websites like Pinterest and Unsplash to search for imagery, then use PhotoShop or Canva to put together your vision board online.
Use your vision board as your desktop image or the homescreen on your phone.
5. Trust your instincts
Make your vision board when you’re feeling positive and stay open-minded to the process.
Go in with a positive attitude and you’ll be more likely to make a vision board that aligns with your dreams.
Assemble your board from images that convey the goals you’ve set out in your journal. Get creative and focus on what you really want – not what you feel you should accomplish.
6. Enjoy the process
Set aside an afternoon to flip through some magazines and cut out images. Put on your favorite music, pour a glass of wine and light a candle.
Turn your vision board making into a ritual that you’ll look forward to. Create a relaxing environment, lose track of time and immerse yourself in the process.
The more you enjoy the creativity, the more likely you’ll have a vision board you’re happy with.
7. Keep it in sight
Once you’ve created a vision board, don’t let it get lost in a pile of papers.
Hang up your vision board in a place where you’ll see it every day, whether that’s on your desk or in your car.
A vision board is a tool to help you visualize your goals. It’s not a one-time project that you put together and forget about.
How to keep your board top of mind:
- use a photo of your physical vision board as a homescreen on your phone
- display your vision board on your desk near your computer
- keep it on your nightstand
- hang it up in your kitchen or where you work out
8. Update your vision board
Create a unique vision board for every season or every business quarter.
Creating an updated board every few months lets you evaluate your goals and change your direction as needed. You can discard what no longer works and incorporate new ideas into your images.
Review your old vision boards and practice gratitude for everything that’s already happened before you create a new board.
9. Use it regularly
Check in with your vision board when you’re making to-do lists or outlining priorities.
Journal about the intentions you’ve set out in your board. Do visualization exercises around the imagery featured in your vision board.
Don’t let your board lie dormant at the bottom of a drawer. Use it regularly if you want to reap the best results.
Read next:
One Line A Day Journaling: Tips, Prompts And How To Start
51 Inspiring Quotes About Journaling (To Get You Writing!)
54 Life-Changing Simple Living Quotes (To Inspire You)
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