Version 2.0: Tips for Creating a Vision Board that Actually Works

Nothing motivates us to create aggressive vision boards quite like the new year. There’s something about a fresh and brand new year that just makes you want to do and dare and be more. To that effect, many of us will set time aside this holiday for some  reflection and goal-setting that we will most likely not follow through.

This is where a vision board comes in: a shiny little thing that allows you to visualise yourself on the other side of your goals thus pushing you to go for it every single day.

According to  a Forbes article, vision boards are very effective because visual stimuli can prime certain thoughts, emotions and behaviours. When individuals regularly view their vision boards, they may experience priming effects that activate related goals, values and motivations. This can lead to increased attention to goal-relevant opportunities and actions.

Below are tips for creating a vision board that actually works:

Set clear goals

Before you pick up or cut out any pictures, it is vital that you sit down and reflect on your goals. Establish what you want, get clear on why you want it, and determine how you will get it and what time it will take. It is important to establish a specific duration of time within which you must accomplish your goal.

Take this time to really and deeply reflect on who you are and what you want for yourself.

Remember: A general rule of thumb is that a goal must be SMART- Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely.

Get inspired

Now that you know what you want, it’s time to seek visual representations of your goals, be it pictures, quotes, affirmations, magazine cut-outs or album covers. Whatever speaks to the vision you have of yourself should go on the board. Do not be afraid to personalise it or try to be proper —this is your vision board!

Scour the internet, check out newspapers, magazines and old scrapbooks or diaries for your pictures. Pinterest is a great place to find pictures, quotes and paintings. Once you choose what you want, you can print them in the colours and dimensions you want.

Remember: Get personal and pick out exactly what you want. The more you see and visualise what you want, the more attainable it seems.

Get to work

This is the fun part where you finally build the vision board of your dreams (literally). Grab a board, your pictures and cutouts, a pair of scissors, some glue and tape, markers, push pins, stickers, ribbons, glitter, and anything else you might want on your board.

Then, organise your board in sections- career, relationships, travel, money, family, spirituality, hobbies— anything you desire, and get sticking!

All about that action

While your goals might be arbitrary or broad, your board must be specific. You must be able to visualise yourself actualising your goal. For example, if your goal is to travel more, you can have a picture of someone in a plane travelling to a specific destination.

Remember: This is not a wish list; it’s an action plan.

Put your vision board somewhere visible

It’s pretty simple: it’s not a vision board if you can’t see it. To visualise, you need to see. To see, you need to have your vision board somewhere pretty easy to do so.

You’ve done the work, now make it easier to visualise.

Remember: Vision boards are very effective because visual stimuli can prime certain thoughts, emotions and behaviours. When individuals regularly view their vision boards, they may experience priming effects that activate related goals, values and motivations. This can lead to increased attention to goal-relevant opportunities and actions.

Review your vision board regularly

Go through your vision board regularly to remind yourself of your why. When you feel demotivated, going through your vision board could give you a morale boost. Similarly, ticking things off your vision board will make you strive to work on the rest of your goals. It will also help you adjust your goals accordingly.

Do celebrate yourself for every win throughout the year.