One of the most helpful tools that I’ve come across to help you achieve your goals is a “vision board.” Essentially, a vision board is a piece of poster board on which you post images that represent some of your most important dreams. It’s a “low tech” version of Pinterest, in a way, but similar in that you “pin” visual images of your dream house, your dream lover, or your dream career—any area of your life.
So, let’s say you have a particular type of house that has always been your fancy. To get started on your vision board, you begin collecting pictures from magazines or downloading images from the Internet that show the kind of house you want. You can find interior shots that speak to your tastes, as well as displays of the various rooms and the furniture you would like to see in each room. When you have the pictures you like, glue them to the poster board, perhaps designating a certain corner or area of the board as your “dream home” area. Some people like to “Photoshop” themselves into the pictures to create an ever deeper emotional connection.
So, let’s say you have a particular type of house that has always been your fancy. To get started on your vision board, you begin collecting pictures from magazines or downloading images from the Internet that show the kind of house you want. You can find interior shots that speak to your tastes, as well as displays of the various rooms and the furniture you would like to see in each room. When you have the pictures you like, glue them to the poster board, perhaps designating a certain corner or area of the board as your “dream home” area. Some people like to “Photoshop” themselves into the pictures to create an ever deeper emotional connection.
When you get your “home zone” completed, move on to finding images that speak to other important issues in your life, such as finances, relationships, business development, education, etc. Then, put this vision board of your ideal house and your ideal life in a place where you can see it often. Once you have found all the images you want and have glued them to your poster board, now the fun really begins!
As you turn your attention to what you have posted on your vision board, your mind begins to focus on making those images come alive. We all know that that positive, focused thinking is a vital component to achieving goals, and “concretizing” those goals by having something to symbolize them is a powerful assist to your subconscious mind. Marcia Turner, author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Vision Boards writes, “[Vision boards] remind us what we should and should not be doing in order to achieve our goals.”
Because the images and little accompanying phrases that you add to your vision board represent your highest priorities, having the board in view and spending some time each day reflecting on it helps to focus your mental energy toward achieving those goals. When we find ourselves in a situation that challenges us, the vision board can remind us of the direction we want to go and the rewards of going in that direction. Sure, the going is sometimes tough, but the images you’ve posted on your board can help to excite and motivate you to continue to take action towards achieving your goals.
Here’s a vision board that I made several years ago…. (click to enlarge!)
Along the top row I have images for financial well-being (the $100K bill), some training that I want to pursue in EFT, the Sedona Method, and via Jack Canfield. I start the “flow” with a classic affirmation from Napoleon Hill’s “Think and Grow Rich.” Along the bottom I have recreational, spiritual, and travel goals. The left and right sides I have devoted to professional work (ie. teaching some classes at local community colleges, developing mid-tier and entry level coaching products, in addition to my private “platinum” clients, represented by the group photo at the top left. The “hub” around which all of this moves is my primary, most important relationship with my wife, Krista. I use this to test the “ecology” of contemplated actions to ensure that they do not detract from or diminish my marriage and family life.
How do I use my vision board? I have a copy of this posted in my office and a smaller one that I carry in my notebook, so I can always keep my direction clear and focused. Some of these things have already manifested while others have not yet. As I update the board in a couple of weeks (I’m really swamped with other stuff right now!), I’ll replace/enhance those with other images and goals.
Finally, one very important thing to remember is you still need to take action! Don’t expect your vision board to somehow magically attract what you want without you putting any effort into getting your goals. One guaranteed way to NOT manifest what you desire is to simply create a vision board and then do nothing else. Vision boards are not a tool for magically attracting whatever you want with no work involved. Again, Marcia Turner warns that, “You need to act in order to make the most of your vision board; otherwise, it’s just a wish board—things you wish would happen, but for which you’re not willing to work.”
A vision board can be an inspiring reminder to focus, to work, and most important of all, to dream! Need some help discovering your dreams? Want to make sure you’ve got the right stuff on your vision board? Why not take a little time to evaluate your passion and purpose?
A great first step is would be to sign up for my FREE e-course!
As you turn your attention to what you have posted on your vision board, your mind begins to focus on making those images come alive. We all know that that positive, focused thinking is a vital component to achieving goals, and “concretizing” those goals by having something to symbolize them is a powerful assist to your subconscious mind. Marcia Turner, author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Vision Boards writes, “[Vision boards] remind us what we should and should not be doing in order to achieve our goals.”
Because the images and little accompanying phrases that you add to your vision board represent your highest priorities, having the board in view and spending some time each day reflecting on it helps to focus your mental energy toward achieving those goals. When we find ourselves in a situation that challenges us, the vision board can remind us of the direction we want to go and the rewards of going in that direction. Sure, the going is sometimes tough, but the images you’ve posted on your board can help to excite and motivate you to continue to take action towards achieving your goals.
Here’s a vision board that I made several years ago…. (click to enlarge!)
Along the top row I have images for financial well-being (the $100K bill), some training that I want to pursue in EFT, the Sedona Method, and via Jack Canfield. I start the “flow” with a classic affirmation from Napoleon Hill’s “Think and Grow Rich.” Along the bottom I have recreational, spiritual, and travel goals. The left and right sides I have devoted to professional work (ie. teaching some classes at local community colleges, developing mid-tier and entry level coaching products, in addition to my private “platinum” clients, represented by the group photo at the top left. The “hub” around which all of this moves is my primary, most important relationship with my wife, Krista. I use this to test the “ecology” of contemplated actions to ensure that they do not detract from or diminish my marriage and family life.
How do I use my vision board? I have a copy of this posted in my office and a smaller one that I carry in my notebook, so I can always keep my direction clear and focused. Some of these things have already manifested while others have not yet. As I update the board in a couple of weeks (I’m really swamped with other stuff right now!), I’ll replace/enhance those with other images and goals.
Finally, one very important thing to remember is you still need to take action! Don’t expect your vision board to somehow magically attract what you want without you putting any effort into getting your goals. One guaranteed way to NOT manifest what you desire is to simply create a vision board and then do nothing else. Vision boards are not a tool for magically attracting whatever you want with no work involved. Again, Marcia Turner warns that, “You need to act in order to make the most of your vision board; otherwise, it’s just a wish board—things you wish would happen, but for which you’re not willing to work.”
A vision board can be an inspiring reminder to focus, to work, and most important of all, to dream! Need some help discovering your dreams? Want to make sure you’ve got the right stuff on your vision board? Why not take a little time to evaluate your passion and purpose?
A great first step is would be to sign up for my FREE e-course!
There's nothing more empowering than coming to the realization that you can have, do and be anything you want!
The problem for most people is they don't believe it is possible for them.
The old adage “seek and ye shall find” remains as true as ever. If you look for proof that achieving big goals, big dreams and living a life of excitement and success is possible… you will find it.
The next 5 days could possibly transform your entire life. At the very least, you will begin to realize that not only is success possible for you, it is inevitable! An exciting future awaits you. But you have to do some work at this point to get moving in the right direction. The good news is that you are completely in charge of where you want to go and how you get there. Your journey begins now! Click the icon to get signed up for this completely FREE E-course.
My new Facebook site is now up! Please visit. I’d appreciate your “Like!” and if you sign up for my e-list from Facebook, I’ll send you my latest time management suggestions.
Want to use this article on your website or your own Ezine?
Thanks for appreciating the value of this content. You’re welcome to reproduce this article, but please reproduce it in its entirety and leave all the links active. Additionally, here is the short bio that you should include:
Dr. Steve Stutz, CC is a Life Success Coach, specializing in helping clergy and professional church workers not only survive but to thrive during periods of crisis, transition, and renewal. To receive periodic personal development tips and success mindset articles, please join his e-list by visiting www.forwardpathcoaching.com
The problem for most people is they don't believe it is possible for them.
The old adage “seek and ye shall find” remains as true as ever. If you look for proof that achieving big goals, big dreams and living a life of excitement and success is possible… you will find it.
The next 5 days could possibly transform your entire life. At the very least, you will begin to realize that not only is success possible for you, it is inevitable! An exciting future awaits you. But you have to do some work at this point to get moving in the right direction. The good news is that you are completely in charge of where you want to go and how you get there. Your journey begins now! Click the icon to get signed up for this completely FREE E-course.
My new Facebook site is now up! Please visit. I’d appreciate your “Like!” and if you sign up for my e-list from Facebook, I’ll send you my latest time management suggestions.
Want to use this article on your website or your own Ezine?
Thanks for appreciating the value of this content. You’re welcome to reproduce this article, but please reproduce it in its entirety and leave all the links active. Additionally, here is the short bio that you should include:
Dr. Steve Stutz, CC is a Life Success Coach, specializing in helping clergy and professional church workers not only survive but to thrive during periods of crisis, transition, and renewal. To receive periodic personal development tips and success mindset articles, please join his e-list by visiting www.forwardpathcoaching.com
Copyright: lawren / 123RF Stock Photo
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