Step into the enchanting world of vision boards with me, where you’ll discover the art of manifesting and designing your dream life, setting the stage for success, and embracing your true purpose. Vision boards are incredible motivating and powerful for turning your dreams into reality.
In this post, I’ll give you the ultimate step-by-step guide and spill all my best tips on making your own vision board. We’ll also chat about why it works, the psychology behind it, and the practical ways to create it.
So, what exactly is a vision board? Think of it as your personal GPS for life; a board full of inspiring images, quotes, and visual ideas representing your deepest desires. Whether it’s who you want to be, what you want to do, or what you want to have, your vision board is the visual roadmap to your dreams.
The Psychological Effect of a Vision Board
Looking at images on a vision board primes the brain to grasp opportunities. The brain assigns a higher ‘value’ to images than written words, and the more you look at those images, the more those images move up in importance.
A vision board is a visual representation of your goals and aspirations, created by collecting images, words, and symbols that represent what you want to achieve in various areas of your life. The psychological thought process behind a vision board can be explained in a few key points:
- Visualization: Creating a vision board involves the process of visualization. Visualization is a powerful cognitive tool where you mentally imagine yourself achieving your goals. When you look at your vision board regularly, it serves as a reminder of these visualized scenarios, reinforcing positive images and ideas in your mind.
- Law of Attraction: The concept behind the Law of Attraction suggests that positive or negative thoughts bring positive or negative experiences into a person’s life. By focusing on the positive aspects of your goals through a vision board, you are directing your thoughts and energy towards what you want to attract into your life.
- Subconscious Programming: Your subconscious mind plays a significant role in shaping your beliefs and actions. The images and words on a vision board can influence your subconscious mind by constantly exposing it to positive and motivating stimuli. Over time, this can help reshape your beliefs and attitudes, aligning them with your goals.
- Goal Setting and Clarity: Creating a vision board requires you to identify and clarify your goals. The process of selecting specific images and words forces you to define what you truly want. This clarity can enhance your focus and determination, making it more likely for you to work towards your objectives.
- Motivation and Inspiration: Vision boards serve as a source of motivation and inspiration. When you see a visual representation of your goals, it can evoke positive emotions and a sense of purpose. This emotional connection can drive you to take consistent actions toward your goals.
The vision board works by influencing your subconscious mind, providing goal-setting clarity, and serving as a constant source of motivation and inspiration. Regularly engaging with your vision board helps keep your goals at the forefront of your mind, making it more likely that you’ll take the necessary steps to turn your vision into reality.
Why are vision boards so effective? Because your life moves toward the images you hold in your mind. Just as your thoughts shape your feelings and actions, a vision board guides your subconscious toward the images in your outer world.
Imagine having your vision board as a daily companion, a reminder of how you want your life to unfold. It’s a daily nudge, keeping you laser-focused on creating the life you crave. Objects, people, places, and experiences – they all become real and attainable.
How A Vision Board Changed My Life – A Personal Story
I’ve been a vision board enthusiast since I was a teenager, and they’ve played a pivotal role in my life. Let me share a game-changing story from 2009 when a vision board started my photography career without me knowing it.
At that time I didn’t have any interest in photography and I didn’t own a camera either. I was working full time as a therapist, and while preparing a vision board session for a self-development workshop, I decided to create an example to show the participants. Flipping through magazines, I selected images that made my heart skip a beat, photos that made me FEEL something (because that is key). Among them, a full page DSLR camera ad kept catching my eye, creating an inexplicable exciting feeling in my body.
However, my rational thinking kept telling me; “What would I do with a big camera like that? I don’t even know how to use it. It must be difficult to learn and I don’t have the time for a new hobby…and It’s way too expensive.”
So I moved on to the next photo, but in the end I had ONE space left on my board and no more photos to hang. Guess what; despite my reservations, I placed the dslr camera ad on my board, and three months later, I found myself impulsively buying that exact camera.
As I walked past a camera shop, I suddenly stop, and it was like some strange magnetic force took over my body and mind and it pulled me into the shop. Right there on the spot I spontaneously bought the camera. I didn’t even stop to think if this was a good idea or not. It was like all my rational and reasonable thinking was locked up and hidden away for a moment.
On my way home, I suddenly had a panic attack. I felt guilty for having bought such an expensive item for myself – without discussing it with my husband first. At the time we struggled to keep ends meet as a young family with three small children. So when I came back home, I hid the camera in the back of my closet, and it ended up staying there for a few months.
That Summer my mother in law suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. It broke me completely because she was like a mother to me and my most trusted friend. She and I were extremely close. So, needless to say, I went into a time of deep grieving. And it was during that time I finally opened my closet and took out the camera.
The camera became my friend. Taking pictures gave me something positive to focus on, and it helped me through what was the hardest time in my life.
Photography offered a positive focus during the darkest time, and for me it was therapy. Or maybe it was more a way to not FEEL the pain I felt. When I played with the camera I forgot time and place. I could escape my grief for a little while.
What I didn’t know at that time was that just one year later I would work professionally with photography full time. All thanks to a vision board.
My personal story is just one example of the incredible power of vision boards. I’ve manifested so many other great things, goals, and dreams over the years. I strongly believe that I wouldn’t be who I am or where I am today with out my yearly vision boards. It’s a practice I cherish, believing in its genuine and transformative power.
WHAT TO INCLUDE ON YOUR VISION BOARD
LIFESTYLE GOALS | Photos showcasing your desired lifestyle. How you want your perfect day to look like. How you wish to look, feel and behave + what you want to eat, live and do to be at the top of your game. Select photos representing the optimal version of the future you.
SELF-CARE GOALS | Reminders to take care of yourself and nuture your soul. Think about how you like to reload your batteries and reconnect with yourself. This could be taking long baths, going to a spa, booking a massage, meditation, yoga retreats just to name a few examples. Remember, self-care is not selfish; it’s giving the world the best of you instead of what’s left of you. For successful manifestation, it’s crucial to have a solid sense of self-worth. When we feel joyful, confident, and grateful, we attract positive energy, drawing in similar vibes, people, and abundance.
YOUR IDEAL MINDSET | How you want to feel and think about yourself. What beliefs system will you need to have in order to create your dream life? How will the future you think and behave? With what attitude do you want to move forward in life? Think of your attitude as the paintbrush for your life. Consider how you want to improve your thoughts, habits, patterns, routines, and reactions. An easy reminder is to print out motivational quotes that inspire you to take action towards the changes you want.
YOUR CORE VALUES | Core values play a crucial role in vision boards and manifesting because they serve as the foundation for your goals and aspirations. Your core values act as a compass, guiding your decisions and actions. When creating a vision board or working on manifesting, having a clear understanding of your core values helps you prioritize goals that resonate with what truly matters to you. Integrating these values into your vision board ensures consistency in your aspirations. This stability helps you stay focused and committed to your goals over time, even when facing challenges. Regularly visualizing goals that are in harmony with your core values reinforces the emotional connection and fuels your drive.
Here are some examples of core values:
- Integrity: Acting with honesty, transparency, and moral principles in all situations.
- Authenticity: Being true to yourself, expressing your genuine thoughts and feelings.
- Gratitude: Recognizing and appreciating the positive aspects of life and the contributions of others.
- Courage: Facing challenges and uncertainties with bravery and determination.
- Innovation: Embracing creativity, new ideas, and a willingness to adapt to change.
- Compassion: Showing empathy and concern for yourself and the well-being of others.
- Self-Improvement: Pursuing personal growth, learning, and continuous development.
- Freedom: Cherishing the value of personal liberty, financial freedom and the ability to make independent choices with your time and money.
- Love: Fostering caring and positive relationships, and acting with kindness and affection towards others.
- Balance: Striving for balance in various aspects of life, such as work and personal well-being.
MATERIAL DESIRES | Choosing photos of specific material desires for your vision board helps you visualize and define the lifestyle you aspire to have. Adding pictures of material things can also contribute to cultivating an abundance mentality. It shifts your focus from scarcity to abundance, fostering a positive mindset that attracts prosperity and fulfillment. Tangible items provide a clear endpoint for your goals, making it easier to measure progress and celebrate achievements along the way. Including them on your vision board allows you to express your individuality and create a space that resonates with your preferences.
YOUR IDEAL CAREER | Consider what your dream career looks like. What kind of career lifestyle do you want? What’s the ultimate dream? Do you want to slow down or speed up? Are you ready to take some risks, jump into unknown territory and invest in yourself? What habits and beliefs do you need to change to make a huge leap in your career? Collect images of inspiring people you admire, people you want to connect/collaborate with, as well as exciting business goals and projects for the future.
YOUR IDEAL INCOME | A vision board can be a powerful tool in manifesting an ideal income and cultivating the mindset to trust your worth, and attract money. Use images that represent financial milestones, and financial freedom. Write the exact number of how much you wish to make in a year, in months + the sales you want to generate. And remember to acknowledge your achievements, reinforcing the belief that you are on the path to your ideal income.
YOUR BRAND IDENTITY | Select photos that show the essence of your brand’s future and set the stage for your visual identity, aesthetics, and unique style. Incorporate a mood board section to convey the emotional tone you want your brand to evoke. This helps in clarifying the atmosphere and vibe associated with your brand. Embrace the creative journey, and let your vision board guide your brand towards a vibrant and authentic identity.
TRAVEL DREAMS | Let the vision board transforms your wanderlust into a vivid reality, bringing your dream destinations, experiences, and adventures to life. Whether it’s the sun-kissed beaches of Bali, the historic streets of Rome, or the serene landscapes of New Zealand, collect visuals that resonate with your dream destination. Incorporate maps or images of the locations you wish to explore. This not only adds a geographical element but also enhances the specificity of your travel goals. Also, incorporate images of the accommodations you envision for your dream travel. Whether it’s a cozy beachfront villa, a charming boutique hotel, or a luxury retreat, let these visuals evoke the ambiance you desire.
MANTRAS/AFFIRMATIONS | Mantras and affirmations are intentional words that carry the power to shape your mindset. By placing them prominently on your vision board, you set positive intentions that align with your goals and desires. Affirmations bring clarity and focus to your vision. They act as guiding lights, directing your attention towards the specific outcomes and experiences you wish to manifest. Over time, these positive words reshape your beliefs and attitudes, aligning them with the vision you’ve set for yourself. Whether it’s affirming your worth, capabilities, or the abundance you attract, choose words that genuinely speak to you.
YOUR GUIDING WORD FOR THE YEAR | Pick your guiding word for the year. This is one word will be your overall leading star – the headline of everything you want in life and business. By putting it on your vision board, you are allowing your path and your choices this year to be guided by that particular word. For many years my one word was empowerment. I used it to remind myself that I’m a person of choice, that I’m the boss of my mind and my life. I also used the word in my business to remind me that my purpose is to empower women to empower themselves.
Remember to make everything speak to you on an emotional level otherwise you are just taking up space (mentally and physically) and that isn’t really helping you out.
How to make your Vision Board
Creating a vision board is a hands-on, creative process. You can make your vision board physically or digitally. What you prefer is up to you – there’s no right or wrong choice here. The most important thing is that you look at your board daily to really manifest your direction in life.
How To Make A Physical Vision Board
Poster Board, Bulletin Board or Corkboard: Choose a sturdy and sizable poster board or corkboard as the base for your vision board. This provides a solid foundation for your collage. Alternatively you can hang the photos directly on the wall using tape. I got my bulletin board from Zara Home (the one in natural tones with a wooden frame) and the large board is from IKEA (the grey one).
Magazines and Printouts: Collect magazines, printouts, or images that resonate with your goals. Look for visuals representing various aspects of your life, such as career, relationships, health, and personal growth. Cut out these visuals with your scissors, paying attention to details. If you don’t have magazines you can also go online and find images on Pinterest, Instagram, blogs and Google images. Use a printer to print these photos out and place them on your board. Needless to say the selection of images to choose from are endless online compared to flipping through a magazine. Personally, I like to do a combination of both. If you’re curious about what printer I use you can see it here >>
Play with the Layout: Experiment with the arrangement of your visuals on the board. Consider the flow and balance of the elements. It’s okay to move things around until you find a layout that feels harmonious. Feel free to layer images or create depth by overlapping visuals. This adds dimension to your vision board.
Add Personal Touches: Consider adding personal touches such as drawings, quotes, or symbols that have significance to you. This enhances the uniqueness and personalization of your vision board. Use markers, stickers, or any decorative elements to further enhance the visual appeal of your board.
Pin, Glue or Tape: Once you’re satisfied with the arrangement, start affixing the visuals to the board using glue, pins or double-sided tape. Most importantly; take your time to ensure each element is securely attached.
Periodic Updates: As your goals evolve or new aspirations arise, don’t hesitate to update your vision board. It’s a dynamic representation of your journey, meant to grow and evolve with you.
How To Make A Digital Vision Board
Gather Inspirational Images: Begin by exploring platforms like Pinterest, Instagram, and Google Images for visuals that align with your goals. Search for keywords related to your aspirations, whether it’s travel, career, wellness, or personal development.
Save Images: Save the images that resonate with you to your device. On Instagram, you can use the bookmark feature, while on Pinterest, you can create a board to collect your inspirations.
Use Canva.com: If you don’t have a Canva account, I recommend getting one. If you already have an account, log in to get started. In Canva, select a layout that suits your preferences. You can start with a blank canvas or use one of Canva’s templates designed for vision boards. Simply do a search for vision board templates. Import the images you saved from Pinterest, Instagram, or Google into Canva. Use the “Uploads” tab to add these visuals to your workspace. Utilize Canva’s text tool to add affirmations or inspiring quotes. Choose fonts and colors that complement the overall aesthetic of your vision board. Once you’re satisfied with your digital vision board, you can choose to download it as an image file (JPEG or PNG).
Make it a Screensaver: Make your vision board your screensaver so you will see it often. And why not also send the vision board to a printer and get it printed in a large format. Then you will have both a physical and a digital board to enjoy.
WHERE TO PUT YOUR VISION BOARD
Once your vision board is complete, choose a prominent and visible location to display it. This could be in your office, bedroom, or any space where you’ll see it regularly. Make it a habit to spend a few moments daily reflecting on your digital vision board. Let the visuals and affirmations inspire and motivate you.
BEDROOM | It’s very effective to place your vision board in your bedroom so it’s the first thing you see in the morning and the last thing you see at night. Seeing it as you wake up to start your day will instantly start you on the right foot, and when you look at it before falling asleep it will remind you what all your hard work is for!
OFFICE | I personally like to display my vision board in my workspace, so it’s hanging just above my desk or standing on the floor next to me. That way, every time I pause to think and drink coffee, I can lean back and look at my board for a little while. Placing your vision board in your direct line of vision is super important because it will encourage you to keep going + it will help your subconscious mind manifest and focus on what you really want.
COMPUTER, PHONE OR TABLET | I like to also have my vision board on my phone. Think about it; how many times during the day do you look at your phone? I bet it’s many times, right. Imagine that every time you grab your phone, you are reminded about your amazing vision board. It’s impossible not to smile and feel excited. Or you can make your vision board into a desktop wallpaper for your computer or tablet.
MAKE YOUR VISION BOARD WORK FOR YOU
To make the most of your vision board, you need to know some specific exercises which bring out the powers of the board and allow you to manifest + implement your goals.
- Look at your vision board regularly to remember what you are working towards. The more you see it, the better.
- Spend time imagining what it would be like for your vision to come true. Let the feelings wash over you and actually try to feel the emotions – be it excitement, thrill or a little nervousness.
A Simple Visualization Technique to Meet Your Goals
Let me give you a run-down of a simple visualization routine you can do daily:
STEP 1: Sit in front of your vision board, in a quiet and comfortable space. After looking at your vision board for a few moments, close your eyes and visualize walking through your perfect day, as if all the images have come to life and all these outcomes are achieved.
STEP 2: Open your eyes, take out your journal and write down 10 things that you are grateful for in your life right now letting the positive emotions from your board wash over you.
STEP 3: Next, quickly make a list of the goals that you are going to achieve in your life, looking at your vision board for guidance.
STEP 4: Now, identify your biggest obstacle to achieving one of those goals that you have. While keeping your eyes closed ask yourself the following question: What would it take for me to reach that goal? Just sit with the question in your mind for a little while. You don’t have to force solutions or answers, you just have to sit with it and notice what comes up, if that makes sense? You subconscious mind will keep working on answering the question even after you’ve moved on with other things in your day – trust that the answer will come when the time is right.
For example, what would it take for me to live in my dream home? What would it take for me to love and accept myself fully? What would it take for me to speak confidently on a stage? What would it take for me to write a bestseller? What would it take for me to make new fabulous, inspiring friends? Or what would it take for me to double my income in 6 months by working less?
The key phrase here is “what would it take.” It’s a specific question, and energy you send out into the universe and the universe will do its best to show you the answers.
Finally, it’s important for me to say that there is no right or wrong way to make a vision board, really. It’s about what feels right to you! So make a vision board that you love looking at and feel inspired by to DO THINGS. Celebrate your vision board when it’s ready. Make a little ceremony to welcome it and bless it with love – it’s going to be with you for a while and will be a big part of your life.
Also remember, perfection is never the goal when you embark on creating a vision board. Why? Because we’re looking to experiment, tuning in on playfulness and creative fun. By giving yourself permission to experiment and explore, you will bring joy to your creative soul and find your way to your most profound, most personal vision. And after all, you can always make changes and replace images, quotes and affirmations when you feel the time is right.
It takes courage to let go of perfectionism, hesitations, and doubt when you jump into planning your dream future and new adventures – but if you jump with an open heart and dream BIG, it’s worth it. Only when you strip away all the layers of self-critique and self-judgment will you be able to create from a zone of mastery.
Trust yourself even if you feel some insecurity in the process. Let curiosity, hope and inspiration lead the way. You are always free to be who you want and create what you want, and your vision board is a safe space for you to DREAM, be vulnerable, innovative, brave, and ambitious.
With Love,
Christina