Do you ever feel hesitant to go after big goals or dreams? Or unsure of your goals or how to achieve them? Wish there was a way to turn your wildest dreams into a tangible roadmap for success? What if I told you there's a simple, yet powerful, tool that can help you gain clarity of your dreams and bridge the gap between desire and achievement?

Design Your Dream Life with a Vision Board

You've probably heard about Vision Boards, but maybe you've never used one... or even considered using one. Maybe you've heard a friend or co-working raving about theirs, or maybe you've come across somebody's Pinterest board. Maybe you've even scoffed at that friend about their Vision Board, doubting the power of something so basic and simple, writing it off as nothing more than some sort of "dream life collage."

But a Vision Board is more than that. It's so much more.  It's about turning your dreams into a roadmap for success—something to act as a constant reminder of what you're trying achieve, and keeping you focused on getting those things. And it's surprisingly easy to get started!

So what is a Vision Board?

A vision board is a collage of images, words, and sometimes even objects that represent your goals, dreams, and aspirations. It's a visual tool that serves as a constant reminder of what you're working towards and why.

Consider the following scenarios...

• The aspiring author, yearning to see their name on a published book, plasters their vision board with images of bookstores and book signings. They imagine the thrill of holding their finished manuscript. Fueled by this daily visualization, they diligently write and revise their story. Within a year, their persistence pays off, and they land a publishing deal, their dream of becoming a published author becoming a reality.
• The ambitious financial advisor, seeking to empower others with financial security, decorates his vision board with images of happy ideal clients and thriving communities. He envisions himself building a trusted practice with clients he shares a vision and mission with, and as he actively reaches out to potential clients, he attracts a steady stream of people seeking his guidance.
• The aspiring fashion designer, dreaming of launching a sustainable clothing line, fills her board with images of eco-friendly fabrics and bustling fashion markets. She sees herself confidently presenting her designs, and a year later, presents at a local green fair, securing funding and launching her dream business.

People use vision boards for different reasons, but they share some common traits.

• Vision Boards help you create a Shared Purpose with loved ones and team members. By sharing your vision and mission with others, together you co-create a vision that motivates both the family and team!
• Vision Boards Provide Clarity and Focus. By putting your goals in a visual format, you gain a clearer understanding of what you truly desire.
• Vision Boards Motivate. Seeing your vision board daily keeps you motivated and inspired to take action towards your goals.
• Vision Boards Encourage and Provide Positive Reinforcement. The images and affirmations on your board can create a positive mindset and belief in your ability to achieve your dreams.
• Vision Boards aid Manifestation. Some believe that the simple act of visualizing your goals through a vision board can help bring them into reality, essentially "thinking them into existence."

The Vision Board Process

Regardless of whether you feel lost or unsure about what you truly want to achieve or if you have a solid and clear picture of what you want, a Vision Board is a powerful tool for bringing clarity and focus to your aspirations. It's a visual representation of your dreams and goals, acting as a daily source of inspiration to keep you motivated.

STEP 1: CHOOSE YOUR FOCUS

The first step is to identify the key areas you want to focus on. There are lots of possibilities for this. Here are some popular areas to consider (and this list is by no means exhaustive):

• Love & Romance
• Wealth & Prosperity
• Career & Purpose
• Health & Wellness
• Mind & Soul
• Family & Community
• Travel & Adventure
• Creativity & Hobbies

A lot of them may sound like areas you want want to consider. You may even be tempted to consider all of them. But it's important to remember that a Vision Board is about focus. That's why it's recommended that you choose no more than four categories per board. And you'll likely want to create different boards for business goals and your goals around your personal life and/or spouse.

STEP 2: DEFINE YOUR IDEAL SELF

Once you've chosen your categories, decide the type of person (identity) you want to become for each category you pick. Ask yourself questions like:

• Love & Romance: How do I want to feel in my relationship? What experiences do I want to share with my partner?

• Wealth & Prosperity: What kind of lifestyle do I desire?

• Career & Purpose: What work brings me joy and fulfillment? How can I contribute to something larger than myself?

• Health & Wellness: How do I want to feel physically and mentally? What activities will keep me energized?

Then define that identity, for example:

• Love & Romance: I want to feel intimacy with my spouse/partner, enjoying each other every day like we are on vacation.

• Wealth & Prosperity: I want to have the financial means to enjoy life, live where I want and do what gives me the most joy (events, hobbies) with my family and friends.

• Career & Purpose: I want to do what gives me joy, feel pride in my work and contribute to helping others.

• Health & Wellness: I want to be healthy and energetic, able to do whatever I want with my body without restriction.

Action & Experience:

• What specific activities are you engaged in within each category? (e.g., Love & Romance - enjoying candlelit dinners, traveling to exotic destinations with your partner)

STEP 3: ENVISION YOUR IDEAL SELF

Now that you've started to define that identity, ask questions to help define what that identity looks like.

Action & Experience:

• What specific activities are you engaged in within each category? (e.g., Love & Romance - enjoying candlelit dinners, traveling to exotic destinations with your partner)
• What skills are you using or developing?

Relationships & Connection:

• Who are the specific people you want to be with in each category?
• What kind of dynamics do you have with these people? (e.g., supportive, encouraging, playful)
• How do these relationships contribute to your overall well-being?

Emotions & Feelings:

• How do you want to feel within each category? (e.g., Career & Purpose - fulfilled, passionate, challenged)
• What emotions will indicate you're on the right track? (e.g., excited, motivated, confident)
• Describe the overall feeling you want your vision board to evoke.

Sensory Details:

• What sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures do you associate with your ideal life in each category? (e.g., Health & Wellness - feeling the warm sun on your skin after a morning jog)

Adding these kinds of details will help make your vision board even more vivid and impactful.

STEP 4: VISUALLY CAPTURE YOUR DREAMS

With a clearer picture of your ideal self in each category, it's time to find images that resonate with you. Search online for pictures that embody your goals, as well as excite and inspire you!

STEP 5: ADD THE POWER OF WORDS

Motivational quotes or affirmations can further amplify the power of your vision board. Select motivational quotes or words that describe your optimal feeling.

STEP 6: BRING IT ALL TOGETHER!

Now it's time to assemble your Vision Board.

Upload images and quotes in either a phone app like Vision Board or Visuapp, or an online Vision Board builder or template, or even just a PowerPoint Slide. (Some of these Vision Board Resources are listed further down.)

STEP 7: MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO AVOID

Now that you've got your Vision Board assembled, you need to put it somewhere that you're going to see it... and not be able to avoid it!

• LAPTOP BACKGROUND: This is a great option for constant visibility. Every time you open your laptop, your vision board will be there to remind you of your goals.

• HIGH-TRAFFIC AREA: Place your vision board somewhere you'll see it frequently throughout the day. This could be a wall near your bed, your bathroom mirror, or even the back of your closet door.

• CREATIVE SPACE: If you have a dedicated workspace for hobbies or work, consider putting your vision board there. Seeing it while you're actively working on your goals can provide an extra boost of motivation.

• "INSPIRATION STATION": Create a dedicated inspiration station in your home. This could be a small corner with a comfy chair and your vision board displayed prominently. It's a space where you can go to relax, visualize, and focus on your dreams.

• SHARED VISION BOARD: If you're working towards a common goal with a partner, family member, co-worker, or friend, create a collaborative vision board together. Display it in a shared space where everyone can see it and be reminded of your collective aspirations.

STEP 8: MANIFEST YOUR VISION DAILY

This final step is the most important one! You must actively engage with your vision board daily.

Look at your vision board for a few moments before you start and end your day. Say an affirmation starting with the words, “I am (fill in the feeling you want to feel, names of people you want to be with, completed goal, etc.).”

By creating and consistently interacting with your digital vision board, you'll be well on your way to manifesting your dreams and designing the life you truly desire.