What is a Vision Board?

Vision Boards are one of the most powerful tools to help keep you focussed on your dreams, goals and aspirations. Vision boards are also known as dream boards, vision maps and treasure maps. A vision board is a tangible reminder of who you are and where you are going; a visualization of how and what you want your life to be. It is a collage of images, pictures and words that will keep you motivated and working towards achieving your ideal life, your hopes and your dreams.

Creating a Vision Board

Step 1 - Define Your Vision

Before you start creating your vision for the future, reflect upon your goals, your hopes and dreams. Spend some time thinking about the following questions–

  • What do I want to achieve?
  • What is a good life?
  • What kind of person do I want to be?
  • What relationships do I want in my life?
  • What career do I want?
  • How do I want to contribute to a better world?
  • How do I want to positively impact the lives of others?
  • How do I want to be remembered after my death?
  • What activities and hobbies would I like to pursue?
  • What is important to me?

Once you have defined your dreams, it is time to start creating them visually upon your vision board.

Step 2 - Choose the Contents

Collect inspirational images that represent or symbolize who you want to be and what you want to have, feel and experience. Use photographs, the internet, magazines, inspirational postcards, newspaper clippings etc. Be creative, use anything that speaks to you. It's always a good idea to include a picture of yourself on your vision board; a photo taken at a time when you felt happy. Choose words and images that motivate you and invoke positive feelings. Carefully select inspirational words, quotes and affirmations that inspire and make you feel good; that represent your purpose and your ideal future. Keep your vision board neat. Clutter and chaos should not be one of your aspirations for the future!

Your vision board can depict goals and dreams in all areas of your life or in just one specific area that you are focusing on. For example, your vision board could be multi-faceted depicting health & wellness, relationships, spirituality, finances, career, hobbies and activities. There could be images and words touching on every aspect of your life.
You don't have to limit yourself to one vision board to reflect all your dreams and aspirations. You may decide to create numerous vision boards; a vision board for spirituality and relationships, another for career and financial goals and another for activities and hobbies. Perhaps you would like to make a vision board which focuses on a very specific goal that you have. If, for example, you hope to travel to Paris on your dream vacation, you can design a Paris-themed vision board. Choose the theme or themes you want your vision board to focus on. You can design as many separate vision boards as you want, each one with a different focus.

Include the Process

Perhaps you dream of representing your country in a particular sport, writing a best seller or becoming a world renowned singer and musician. If your dream is focussed around an ultimate victory or goal, your vision board should not just visualize the moment of success but also the process that is involved in achieving your success. Whatever the process may entail, whether it be training, diet, commitment, practise, writing, research etc. your vision board needs to depict the process involved in you achieving your ultimate goal and victory. This will allow you to stay motivated and inspired, keeping your eye on the prize while staying focussed on the process and/or training required to achieve your ultimate victory.

Step 3 - What Format Will Your Vision Board Take?

After you have chosen the theme for your vision board you must also decide on the format. Most people make poster type vision boards on cardboard, cork-board, or on any material that can be hung on or propped against a wall. Vision boards should be placed in a prominent position and viewed and reflected upon daily.
An electronic vision board might be the format you decide is right for you. You can create your own private document using inspirational images and words and store it on your computer, tablet or phone. Perhaps your vision board would make a great screen saver. Maybe you'd like to design your own vision webpage, blog or use sites like Pinterest and Instagram. Choose the format that suits you and which you will look at daily.

How to Use Your Vision Board

Place your vision board where you will see it every day and view it regularly so that you can stay focussed and motivated. It is a visual reminder of what you are hoping to accomplish and who you want to become. Don't hide your vision away, for without a vision people perish. Reflect on it before you go to sleep at night and spend time in the morning and during the day visualizing your hopes and dreams. Believe in your hopes and dreams, guard and protect them, use your imagination and be thankful for all that you are going to achieve and all that you have already achieved.
Words are powerful! They hold the ability to create and destroy, to build up and tear down. Speak out the inspirational words on your vision board daily, verbally claim your dream and vision, reflect and meditate upon the images. Be thankful for your blessings today and your vision for tomorrow. Trust God and trust in your vision. See yourself as you Live Your Dream & Serve Your Purpose!