10 Girlfriends You Must Invite To Your Vision Board Party

As a self-proclaimed vision board guru, I've been to my fair share of vision board parties and events (I even hosted my own vision board conference). One thing I've gained the most insight from - just as much as actually creating the board - is the mix of ladies in the room.

Having the right group of girlfriends at your vision board party makes ALL the difference in the energy you have surrounding you during your creation process.

It's literally the difference between creating within a room of unlimited brilliance & ideas or trying to create in an endless pit of "that won't work" and "neither will that" and "ummmmm..." 

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying to skip out on inviting your struggling friend (in fact, I'm saying the opposite) BUT, you do need a good mix of energies, experiences, life goals, routines, and backgrounds to inspire you from all angles while you create your big vision.

Here are the 10 girlfriends you MUST invite to your next vision board party.

The One Who "Has It All"

Everyone has at least one friend who appears to "have it all." Often, this is also the friend that you want to choke because everything appears to run so smoothly for her.

Your friend who has it all will benefit the room because she will have ambitious goals that will inspire others.

She will also have insight into the things you're struggling with from her past experiences. In short, don't re-invent the wheel, ask her how she created it to start the year with a roadmap.

The Entrepreneur

Your entrepreneur friend will add a different vibe to the room, inspiring others to work harder (because I guarantee you, your entrepreneur friend is the hardest working person in the room #handsdown).

No matter how hard your friends on a salary are working, they can take a day off anytime they want and not worry about their paycheck. But your entrepreneur friend is responsible for every dollar she earns.

She will bring with her a go-getter energy that will inspire your inner goal savage. 

The One "In Transition"

I know your friend "in transition" can be a Debbie Downer sometimes because they won't always be sharing good news. They'll be sharing how they're moving their money around to get out of debt or struggling to go back to school to earn another degree.

If you catch them on the wrong day, they could even be crying their heart out because life is #Astruggle right now.

You always need this person in your group because, in addition to taking positive energy from your friends who are winning (right now), it's also your job to pour into your friends who are not.

Remember that life is a winding road and your friends who are winning today could just as easily be in need tomorrow and your friends who are struggling today could have huge success tomorrow. Don't count them out - lift them up. #truth

The Money Mogul

Everyone has one friend that is AMAZING with their money.

They are huge advocates for saving money, investing, spending their money wisely and cutting costs where they can.

They will make sure as you're posting cute outfits for your future swag that you're also thinking about your budget and other ways you can use that money to benefit you in the future. 

The Hopeless Romantic

Over the years, I had become a bit of a love skeptic, but I can always count on my friends who are building miraculous relationships to give me something to aspire to.

When you're building a vision board, being around this type of energy will lift your love spirits and might even inspire you to create some #RelationshipGoals of your own.

Related content: How To Manifest Real Love With A Boyfriend Vision Board 

The World Traveler

This friend moves so fast, you usually have to catch up with her on Instagram.

Every time you turn around, she's enjoying the scenes in a different country and embracing new cultures, foods, and customs.

She will give you a different perspective, one that is not restricted by daily routines and familiarity. This friend will inspire you to explore more. #travelbucketlist

The Creative

Creatives are notorious for doing their own thing.

They really don't care what's going on around them, they just want to create. They even are famous for turning their pain from life struggles into a book, painting, poem or top 40's hit song (like our fav break-up queen Taylor Swift).

Creatives bring a spontaneous energy to the room, inspiring you to peel back your insecurities and create your dreams.

The Corporate Queen

She is doing well at her company, working hard, and rising through the ranks.

She enjoys networking events, aligning herself with people of power, and even appears to enjoy office politics (because she's pretty darn good at it).

She's obviously a force to be reckoned with and will inspire you to crush your own corporate career goals. 

The Preacher's Daughter

Now by this one, I don't actually mean the preacher's daughter, but your friend who is always inviting you to church or praying for you.

This friend is crucial to your spiritual growth and will inspire others to take a second look at their spiritual walk.

Faith is something that often gets left off of vision boards but this friend will get it back on the map.

The Minimalist

Maybe millennials don't have to worry as much about keeping up with the Jones, but we do suffer serious FOMO (fear of missing out) from the Instagram stars that are somehow always living the life we want.

They have the latest clothes and gadgets. They’re traveling to the best venues, staying in the most lavish hotels and spas, viewing top Broadway shows - they even went to see Beyonce in person while you only got the few glimpses of the show they put on their IG stories. #Tear.

Your minimalist friend will help keep you grounded in what's really important in life. They seem to flow freely through life, not worrying about the cost of things because they don't suffer from lifestyle inflation... ever.

They pride themselves on shopping at a thrift store (and brag about how cheap something was, rather than how expensive.)

This friend is a quick reminder of how simple life can be.

Vision boards are a great way to create and remain consistent with your goals throughout the year. Having the right people surrounding you while you create your big vision, will only further ensure your success. 

Which friend do you find the most inspiring? Comment below.

Want To Start Planning Your Vision Board Party? 

1. Download the FREE vision board party planning checklist.

2. Craft your inspiring vision board workshop talk with our FREE High Impact Storytelling Journal Prompts. 

3. Plan, promote & host your first (or next) professional & profitable vision board workshop with our signature course, Sold Out Vision Board Parties.

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 This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cyrene is a fun and accomplished workshop facilitator, learning and development guru and Human Resources professional. Being at the helm of Thrive Lounge has been a long-time dream. Through vision board workshops she plans to accomplish two-way learning. Sharing her vast years of knowledge to motivate and encourage others; while simultaneously getting the reward of great energy, ideas and questions to ponder back from each group. A super win-win. Please join our Thrive Lounge community so you too can benefit!

How To Avoid Shiny Object Syndrome and Get Laser Focused On Your Goals

Out of all the addictions in the world, I've been fortunate enough to be totally addicted to podcasts. They helps me feel like I have friends when I'm riding in the car by myself and be more well rounded (I know a lot more random facts thanks to This American Life and Planet Money). The most uplifting thing my podcasts teach me (though most distracting) is entrepreneurship.

After listening to four podcasts about how four different entrepreneurs created six-figure businesses - while raising kids, getting married, and buying their first home with no debt - I'm always looking for new ways to change what I'm currently doing in my business, personal life and finances.

I mean, seriously, why don't I have a six-figure business + a hubby to Netflix and chill with + a home with no mortgage? (Clearly, I'm not podcast material.) I can't help but think, maybe I should create a course, start coaching and create a Facebook group to cultivate my audience, like the entrepreneurs on the podcast. There must be something I'm missing, right?

That feeling - the one you just read - is textbook Shiny Object Syndrome.

It's the moment where you see something that could potentially be more lucrative than what you're currently doing and you feel the urge to chase after it. Nine times out of ten, when you do follow these "shiny objects" you'll go down an endless rabbit hole and end up right where you began, often with less energy, less money and a little beaten up by the world.

Here are my top tips to say NO to Shiny Object Syndrome.

 

Switch to the 12 Week Sprint Strategy

The easiest way to fall out of love with your goals and get distracted by a shiny object is by creating a goal that's so far away it doesn't seem tangible. Even if you're taking tiny steps toward your goal, it can sometimes feel so far away that you feel no sense of urgency around it.

In the 12-week sprint strategy,  you break down your goals into small, bite-sized pieces. (For example, rather than get 100 customers, focus on getting your first customer.) You'd set 3-5 small goals and then spend 12 weeks, approximately 3 months, striving to reach those goals.

This is a great way to re-think your big goals and push yourself to accomplish them, one small step at a time. Plus while you're juggling your 5 goals, you won't have time for shiny objects. #winning.

 

Create habits that are in line with your goals

OK - there are a ton of habits you can create. I've seen everything from elaborate morning routines to one-hour long night routines, but the habits I'm talking about are functional. Create a set of habits around your ongoing projects. If your brain always knows what to do next, you don't have idle time to follow random tips from the shiny object gurus. 

For example, every morning when I wake up, I post my scheduled Instagram post. While I watch TV on Friday nights, I also pin on Pinterest. I send out 3 pitches per week. I block every Sunday as a working day. For my blog, I have an annual calendar and every Wednesday night, I just hop over to my list and write the next post on the list, no thinking necessary.

 

Cherish Your Brutally Honest Friend

I know all too well about getting distracted from your ultimate goal. I have an accountability partner that I chat with every other week and I talk about what my goals are and what I'm striving to reach in the upcoming weeks for Thrive Lounge.

While I have very many "yes" friends that think I can do no wrong, my accountability partner will totally call me out on my BS. She's the first person to ask me why I'm doing something or how it aligns with my brand vision. She challenges my thinking around my business and forces me to get back on track.

 

Take a vacation from podcasts/blogs/social media

Shiny object syndrome usually goes hand in hand with FOMO, which goes hand in hand with social media. Sometimes consuming too many blogs and podcasts and watching what everyone else is doing online can distract you from your ultimate goal.

When you stop watching social media and take a step back, you can get clarity from what you actually want - with no outside help from the gurus. Your next move will be based on an idea that you came up with and something that you're excited about. 

 

create a shiny object list

Create your own personal "I might do this one day" list to create a home for your shiny objects. That way, every time you see an idea of a new product, a new marketing tactic or a new revenue stream you have a place to save it without actually pursuing it at this time. 

Shiny object syndrome is alive and well, but at the end of the day, you get to choose what you do with your time. Choose with your big vision in mind and you'll never go wrong. 

Want To Start Planning Your Vision Board Party? 

1. Download the FREE vision board party planning checklist.

2. Craft your inspiring vision board workshop talk with our FREE High Impact Storytelling Journal Prompts. 

3. Plan, promote & host your first (or next) professional & profitable vision board workshop with our signature course, Sold Out Vision Board Parties.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cyrene is a fun and accomplished workshop facilitator, learning and development guru and Human Resources professional. Being at the helm of Thrive Lounge has been a long-time dream. Through vision board workshops she plans to accomplish two-way learning. Sharing her vast years of knowledge to motivate and encourage others; while simultaneously getting the reward of great energy, ideas and questions to ponder back from each group. A super win-win. Please join our Thrive Lounge community so you too can benefit!

What Magazines Should I Use For My Vision Board? Effective List of Do's and Don'ts

Every December, I tend to go a little over board with Vision Board Parties (I end up doing about 5 parties every winter). In all my years of creating vision boards with friends, there are some magazines that get passed around the table several times and get picked over and cut up until there are only a few pages left. Then, there are the reject magazines - the ones that no one bothers to touch and even if they haven't completed their boards, and no one wants to take these magazines home.

Related Content: What Materials Do I Need to Create a Vision Board

Related Content: Everything You Need to Know About Creating A Vision Board

How do you decide which magazines to use for your vision board? Us get-it-done-gurus really don't have time to look through crappy magazines, do we? #AintNobodyGotTimeFoThat

Here's a straight-to-the-point list of Do's and Don'ts to help you create your next vision board effectively - with the right magazines. :-)  

Pro Tip: I like to order annual magazine subscriptions for super cheap instead of buying them at the Wal-mart. It's literally a difference of getting 12 issues for $5 or one magazine for $5.99 in the store. I save them in a box throughout the year so I'm super prepared once vision board time rolls around!

 

The Do's

Magazines with BIG, BOLD images and titles.

Think about how your vision board will be structured. You want a combination of visuals and text that represent what you want to achieve throughout the year. Selectively flipping through magazines BEFORE you buy will give you a good feel for the magazine's layout and style.

Use magazines that align with your goals for the year.

I always recommend setting your goals before you create your vision board. Knowing your vision and goals ahead of time keeps you from suffering from shiny object syndrome when everyone around you is setting lofty goals that sound really cool but have nothing to do with YOUR vision.

The other benefit to knowing your goals before creating your vision board is that now you can be effective in choosing your magazines.

For example, if you know you're setting big money goals like paying down your student loan debt, you can shy away from the home decor magazines and go straight for the jugular (ahem.. I mean Money magazines).

 Here are the BEST magazines for each of your goals: 

Travel: Sunset magazine ticks all the boxes. You'll find beautiful waters, elegant homes and beautiful designs that would make Martha Stewart herself proud. Get a subscription to Sunset for $0.31 an issue.

Style: From this seasons greatest to what's next in the fashion world, Instyle Magazine will give you everything you need to speak your future SLAY into existence. Get a subscription to InStyle for $0.92 an issue

Fitness: My favorite is Women's Health Magazine mainly because they talk about fitness, but with a more well rounded spin (and it doesn't make you feel like a total pile of flab). It's the fitness mag for the average women.  Snag a six-month subscription to this magazine for $.80 an issue.

Parenting: You really can't go wrong with Parents Magazine. They cover all things parenting for all ages and stages. You can get your fill on how to raise your kids, budget with kids, dress your kids and do arts and crafts with your kids all in one mag. 

The best part is the price tag. You can get a 2-year monthly subscription for $7.99 (That's $0.33 an issue! Seriously, why does anyone buy magazines at full price?) 

Money: If you're working towards some money goals, Kiplinger’s personal finance magazine will have everything you need! You will get tips on pretty much everything from savings, to investing, to budgeting, to retirement. 

Business: For the latest and greatest in all things business, there is no magazine that does it better than Forbes. You'll get all the most innovative entrepreneurs, what's coming up next in technology and an insider look into up and coming startups. 

Melanin: Without a doubt, you must show up with the latest Essence Magazine. They've been dominating the melanin magazine world forever with no signs of slowing down. With a price tag at $0.91 an issue, the annual subscription to Essence is a no-brainer.

Celebrity gossip magazines.

Trust me on this one... The gossip magazines come in handy when you want to put your she-ro on your vision board. If you want Rihanna, Beyonce or Michelle Obama, she will be in the gossip magazine - every week - slaying. (My fav is Us Weekly)

Anything Oprah.

Every issue of the O magazine is vision board gold. It doesn't matter if you get the most recent copy or an older issue, the layout of this magazine was created to inspire your inner creator, builder, and lover of life. (Yes, all of that was necessary.. and true.) You can't go wrong with the O magazine so if you're standing in line at the Walmart and you can't make a decision, buy 2 O magazines. #truth

Get a subscription to the O Magazine for just 3.99 for the year. (That's 0.50 cents an issue.)

The Don'ts

Time and The New Yorker.

I don't care if your goal is to become more learned and intellectual - these magazines will definitely help you do that. What these magazines won't do is give you that magical one-liner in a big, bold beautiful font that you can put on your vision board and glance at from afar. The wording here is brilliant, glorious… and tiny. It will not serve your vision board well, my friend. 

Retail Store catalogs

OK - I have been to several vision board parties where people just grab the catalogs that have been sent to their house all year and bring them to the vision board party. Yes, on occasion, people are just looking for a well-dressed person to put on their board. However, your J.Crew catalog hardly cuts it for most people's big hairy audacious goals. I promise you that Michelle Obama waving in a fab dress most of us can't afford will make it on the board instead. #WeDreamDifferent

Free city magazines from the grocery store

No explanation necessary. 

Crafting your vision board, whether you're by yourself or with a fab group of ladies, is a time of reflection on the successes of the past and a moment to dream about future possibilities. Choosing the right magazines gives you the opportunity to brainstorm and share stories with uninterrupted inspiration. 

Want To Start Planning Your Vision Board Party? 

1. Download the FREE vision board party planning checklist.

2. Craft your inspiring vision board workshop talk with our FREE High Impact Storytelling Journal Prompts. 

3. Plan, promote & host your first (or next) professional & profitable vision board workshop with our signature course, Sold Out Vision Board Parties.

---

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

---

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cyrene is a fun and accomplished workshop facilitator, learning and development guru and Human Resources professional. Being at the helm of Thrive Lounge has been a long-time dream. Through vision board workshops she plans to accomplish two-way learning. Sharing her vast years of knowledge to motivate and encourage others; while simultaneously getting the reward of great energy, ideas and questions to ponder back from each group. A super win-win. Please join our Thrive Lounge community so you too can benefit!

How To Craft The Perfect Cold Email To Influencers & Leaders

Through the years, no matter how much my goals have changed (from being an OBGYN traveling the world with doctors without borders to being a fancy executive traveling the world to meet international clients) I've always had people that I looked up to. I'm sure you do, too.

Even in this complex online world of social media marketing, exploding online brands, image + video + content creation (you catch my drift) there are people who don't even know I exist that I look up to every day. As I get older, I realize that no matter how BIG, LARGE and TOTALLY IN CHARGE someone may seem, they are human... just like the rest of us, plugging away on our computers creating things that we can share with the world. 

With my new-found revelation, I decided that when I wanted to reach out to someone, I would simply... reach out to them. To my surprise, it was easier than I thought and I found that if you approach someone that you look up to very professionally and in a genuine tone, you will get a response.

Here are my top tips on crafting your cold email to influencers and leaders.

DO YOUR RESEARCH.

Before you start cold pitching people left and right, make sure you do some research to reach out to the RIGHT person that will be a good connection for you AND why you'd be a good connection for them. You can do this by paying attention to the people already in your in-person or online networks. This could be an executive at your company or an influencer who's podcast you listen to religiously.  

Once you pinpoint a person, deep dive into their online presence and find out what do you have in common with them and how your goals and their life goals are aligned. Knowing these will help you get one step closer to creating a bond with that person. Think about it: When you're hanging out with a group of people, you naturally feel drawn to people that have the same goals or are moving in the same direction as you. Don't look for influencers that you will have to manufacture a relationship with simply because they're cool and successful. 

KNOW YOUR ASK.

This used to be the most difficult thing for me because, let's be honest, no one wants to look all beg-ish and stuff, but the reality is you don't just want to be a "thank you for being awesome" email that's nice in the moment, but easily forgotten. You want something bigger. You want to create a real relationship, mentorship or collaboration. The way you communicate what you want is by forming a solid ask. 

This can be a request to take them out for coffee because you want to learn more about their career. You can ask them to be a speaker at you upcoming event or featured on your podcast. No matter what the ask, make sure you are very clear on what you want out of the relationship and communicate that exact desire to them. Nothing is worst than getting a vugue email asking "can we collab in some way"... seriously.

DIFFERENTIATION... WHY THEM?

 No matter who you'd like to connect with (not even if it's Beyonce) is the only person in their niche or doing what they do. Why do you want to reach out to this person insead of another person doing the exact same thing. 

This is your opportunity to show that you actually know something about their vision and mission and you're not just spamming every successful person you could find on the interwebs. 

Once you're clear on that, in comes the hardest part...

DRAFTING THE EMAIL

Here's an email that I sent out to an executive at a company, asking her to lunch.

Let's break down this email:

1. Compliment. You can create a very genuine compliment to the person you're reaching out to if you are clear on what makes them unique. (Pro tip: I admire you (with no reason why) is not an acceptable compliment.)

2. State your common ground. If you've properly done your research on their background, accomplishments and current pursuits, you will be able to find a common value between the two of you. Let them know you're not a random person and you have similar goals.

3. Directly let them know what your ask of them. No one lines a vague ask. Influencers and leaders don't have a ton of time to guess what you want from them. Being clear makes it easier to say yes! :-)

4. Be gracious... and always say Thanks!

The most important step you will take in reaching out to an influencer or leader you admire is hitting the send button on your email. #JustDoIt

Want To Start Planning Your Vision Board Party? 

1. Download the FREE vision board party planning checklist.

2. Craft your inspiring vision board workshop talk with our FREE High Impact Storytelling Journal Prompts. 

3. Plan, promote & host your first (or next) professional & profitable vision board workshop with our signature course, Sold Out Vision Board Parties.

 This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

---

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cyrene is a fun and accomplished workshop facilitator, learning and development guru and Human Resources professional. Being at the helm of Thrive Lounge has been a long-time dream. Through vision board workshops she plans to accomplish two-way learning. Sharing her vast years of knowledge to motivate and encourage others; while simultaneously getting the reward of great energy, ideas and questions to ponder back from each group. A super win-win. Please join our Thrive Lounge community so you too can benefit!