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The first time I created a vision board I honestly did not think it was going to work.
I was in a place where I needed to change my life - struggling with depression, working too many jobs and paying way too many bills - when a good friend invited me to a vision board party.
I didn’t believe in “the power of vision boards.” In fact, I probably rolled my eyes at the concept entirely. However, my life was definitely sailing in the wrong direction and I was willing to try anything to turn that ship around.
So I attended… I am so glad that I did.
That year marked the year of change for my mindset, my personal strategy and rejuvenated my optimism.
Just a few years after creating my first vision board, I was able to go back to school, get a graduate degree, land my dream job, start saving money, and start getting out of debt.
Many people, like me, are skeptical of the whole idea of creating a vision board. You might be wondering how a vision board actually works. You might be wondering what in the world these magazine clippings are really doing and why people swear by them. (Trust me, I was certainly wondering my first time around!)
The entire process around creating a vision board provides insights, encouragement and motivation for you to continue moving towards your goals. Here’s why:
A Focused Time To Reflect on the things you want to change
Before I created my first vision board, I worried about everything I was going through in my life ALL THE TIME.
I worried about my exhaustion from working multiple jobs. I worried about paying rent, a car note and buying food for my family. I worried about debt collectors calling me daily for bills I couldn’t afford to pay.
The time I spent creating a vision board was a silent time where I could reflect on my negative feelings and not see them as infinite. I could FINALLY see them as things I had the power to change.
Related posts: Why Ruining My Credit Was The Best Decision Of My Life
Space and opportunity to think about your goals
When you create a vision board, you think about the changes you would like to make in your life.
Before my first vision board, I was always on the move. With three jobs, endless worrying, and one get rich quick attempt scheme after another, I did not have a free moment to stop thinking about today’s problems.
I didn’t have the time to think about what I wanted for tomorrow.
Creating a vision board gave me a designated time to pull myself out of today’s challenges and think about my future.
Simply focusing on the changes I wanted to make was an opportunity to brainstorm about what I’d need to do to get there.
Dream about the possibilities
Vision boards help you dream about things you didn't think were possible.
The idea behind a vision board is to think about the things that you don't allow yourself to think about on a daily basis.
For example, you might want to be a writer but you as soon as you start to dream about your life as a writer, you also consider:
The bills you have to pay
The family you have to feed
The things your parents, friends, job expect of you
Those realities can disable your ability to dream because you immediately tell yourself things like:
“Now is not the right time to pursue because I have a small child.”
“I can’t take the time to write because I have a demanding job”
“Once I finish this work project - then I’ll worry about pursuing my dreams.”
A vision board may feel more like a dream space than reality.
That blank canvas, made especially for dreaming big, gives you enough flexibility to re-discover those passions you left by the way-side, those hobbies you’re ignoring, those innate talents you don’t give yourself enough time to use.
Related post: Why Your Dreams Need A Home (and how to create it)
Creating a visual accountability partner
After you create a vision board, you’ll have a daily reminder of your goals an aspirations.
If you put it in a space where you will see it everyday, you can reflect with your vision board on a daily basis. This will also serve as your constant motivator and source of inspiration as you work through your goals.
Unlike a list of New Year’s Resolutions that can easily be lost, or a journal entry that you can forget about, your vision board sits in a space where you have constant interaction with it.
You’ll have of all the promises you made to yourself, the unfinished dreams waiting to be completed, the goals that you are working towards right before your eyes every day.
Related: Create A Vision Board That Serves You (Not Just One That Looks Good)
By its appearance, a vision board might seem like a silly arts and crafts project.
In reality it is a space to dream, a canvas to wonder, a reminder of what you really want and a visual accountability partner to keep you motivated when times get rough.
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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!
