Vision Boards -
Helping you visualize what you want
I first got introduced to the concept of vision boards through the movie The Secret. Vision boards is a method of visualizing your
goals and using the Law of Attraction to realize your goals and dreams. It took the concept of goal setting to a new level for me as I
always had trouble remembering the thought and intent behind the words, but with a vision board I now get a very strong emotional
association to the formerly empty words. The cliché 'A picture is worth a thousand words' has become very relevant to me.
How to make a vision board
You can start building your own vision board in one of two ways: The traditional physical vision board or a virtual one on your computer.
Personally I prefer the latter as I spend most of my day in front of the computer and I will discuss that one but the process is
essentially the same for both. Set aside some time and commit to finish the process once you've started.
- Collect vision board images.
Collect words and images that you are attracted to or that draw your attention or that you feel represent your passions, goals
and ambitions. You can do this in one brainstorming session if you want but I prefer to do this over a day or two. If you see an image
online right-click on it and save it in a special vision boards folder for later use. Write the words down on a piece of paper and
when you have a moment, do an image search on one of the search engines for that phrase. You can also do an image search on a photo
site like flickr.com.
Browse to these images and save them in the same vision boards folder that we used before. If you are doing a physical vision
board you can print out the images on a color printer. You can also browse through your favorite magazines for cut-outs of images that
attract you for a physical vision board (and scan them onto your computer for a virtual vision board).
Topics and themes for your vision board might include:
- How you want to feel, e.g. love, friendship, healthy, helpful, respected.
- Your relationships with: spouse/partner, kids, parents, coworkers, with money.
- Hobbies or Adventures: Gardening, Collecting garden gnomes, Bungee jumping, Going on a safari, etc.
- Things you want, e.g. Ferrari, Big house by the lake, chauffeur, pets, good friends, free time.
- Lifestyle: healthy eating, teaching, learning, holidays, community involvement, contribution to charities, etc.
- Build your vision board montage.
Open a graphics editing program like Paint that comes with Windows. Start with a new and empty file and try to make it as big as
possible (you can always make it smaller later). This will be the blank canvass that you paint your dreams on. In a separate window,
open your folder of images for your vision board. Now sift through the images and find the ones that speak to your strongest desires. Open
that specific image in a new instance of the graphics editing program and select/re-size the part of the image you want on your vision
board (add words/descriptions about what this image represent if you want). When you are satisfied, copy-and-paste it to your vision
board montage.
Now go through all the images you collected and see if they are still important and relevant and do the same with these images. You don't
have to arrange your images on your collage in a specific way - whatever feels right or comfortable to you will do. Save regularly.
- Personalize it - make it your personal vision board.
You can make it personal by adding your own goals, print your name on it, copy-and-paste a picture of yourself into the center of the
vision board, or copy your face onto the people in the images. This way will ensure that it has personal relevance to you and that you
take ownership of it. Now save your vision board and put the date on it (as past of the file name will do).
- Put it where you'll see it.
I set mine as my desktop background on my computer. To do this, open the image file with your browser (open the browser first and browse
to the vision board file on your computer) and then right-click on the image and select 'Set as desktop background'. It also helps to have
physical copy especially if you are not on your computer all the time. Print as big a copy as you can (A3 or A2 instead of just an A4) on
a color printer and stick it on a wall where you can see it and be reminded of it.
How do vision boards work
I'm generally vary skeptical about anything that purports to be 'The Answer' to all our problems (
see this critical review of the self-help industry.
) At times it might seem that this is what vision boards do. How I see it, however, is that it is a way to
put you in a good mood
and to focus your attention on what you want. Various psychology studies have studied the effect of visualization especially in the
field of performance enhancement as it relates to sports activities like
tennis.
There are two elements to visualization of goals: that of achieving the goal, and that of the process leading up to achieving the goal (
see this Questia article.
) With the S.M.A.R.T. goal setting process, a big part of it focuses on the process. With a vision board we can focus on what it is that
we want and our subconscious will nudge us to taking the action that will take us there.
The vision board will help you to focus your attention on the things you want in what in psychology circles are referred to as
the cocktail party effect.
If you are reminded every day of the things you want and you are focused on achieving it, you'll become more open to ways of achieving it.
When you finally succeed in reaching your goals and realizing your dreams you
might not even be aware
what exactly made you successful. But one thing that you wont be uncertain about is that the vision board constantly reminded you
of what you wanted and that it kept your dreams at the top of your thoughts.
Vision board resources
Tell Us The Story Of Your Vision Board!
Have you built or tried doing your own vision boards? Share your experience with us!
Other Visitors' Vision Boards
Click below to see the vision board images and stories from other visitors.
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