Side Hustle Goals

How to create an online vision board for free (plus a step-by-step video tutorial)

 
 

Have you ever thought about what it would take to create your vision board online? I certainly have.

I still find myself taking a picture of my final vision board to add to my phone background and computer screensaver even though I love having a tangible vision board and the process of paging through magazines, being inspired by the different images and finding the perfect ones to represent my goals.

Like many people, I wonder what it would look like to create a digital vision board so I decided to poll my blog readers, who create vision boards every year, to see whether they’re creating digital vision boards. I asked about what tools they’re using, what challenges they’re having and tips on creating an online vision board that works.

47.3% of vision board creators have created at least one digital vision board. There are many tools use to create a digital vision board. The most popular tools among vision board creators are Canva, PowerPoint, and Google Slides. The most time consuming aspect of vision boards is finding digital images to use that represent all your goals, but great images can be found on sites like Google, Pinterest and Instagram.

This lead me down a long vision board rabbit hole where I tried out every recommended website and five different vision boarding apps to figure out the best way to create a digital vision board for every bidding visionary.

In this article, I’m going to show you how to create a digital vision board, step by step.

Choose the tools you’ll use to create your digital vision board.

55% of online vision board creators used Canva to create their vision board. 7.5% used PowerPoint. Other popular apps include Google Slides and Pinterest. Many respondents also used different phone apps to create their vison board.

It’s best to use a tool you’re already familiar with so you don’t have the uphill battle of learning a new tool alongside your vision board creation. The process should be enjoyable to remove the barrier of learning a new tool

Vision Boards with a Phone App

After creating a vision board on five different highly rated apps, I found the best app for traditional vision board creation was the Dreamer app. This app is available on both iPhone and Android, has a robust image library and built-in affirmations.

The creator is also able to pick out their favorite vision board grid layout and save their completed vision board to their phone lock screen at the end.

I created a beautiful vision board on Dreamer and still use it to this day. If you’re thinking about using a simple app for your vision board, here’s the video I created trying out the Dreamer app.

Write down your goals and vision before starting.

The internet is full of distractions and once you begin creating your vision board, you’ll find that there are many images that look exciting but may not necessarily fit the goals you want to achieve.

Solidifying your goals before you jump into vision board creation will make sure you’re choosing visualizations that match your future desires.

I highly recommend setting life goals based on the life areas you want to improve or focus on for the year. Common life areas to set goals in are:

  • Personal Finance

  • Education

  • Career

  • Relationships

  • Adventure/Self-care

Many people may also want to add spirituality here if that life area is important to them.

Find high quality images for your vision board on Google, Pinterest, Instagram or Stock Photo sites.

3 out of 10 responders said that finding the right images is the biggest challenge to creating your online vision board.

When creating your digital vision board, you have the benefit of doing a search to find anything you want.

Follow these steps to find images for your vision board with Google:

  1. Type your goal into Google search bar.

  2. Click “images” in the top navigation.

  3. Right click images that you like and then select “Save image as…”

  4. Save the image to your desktop to add to your tool of choice.


Here’s how you’d find vision board images using Pinterest:

  1. Type your goal into the Pinterest Search bar.

  2. Scroll through the images and quotes.

  3. Use a screenshot tool to save the images to your desktop to add to your tool of choice.

I created a video on how to create your vision board using Pinterest:

Design the images inside the software to create an inspiring aesthetic.

You want your vision board to be visually appealing to you. That means designing the images for long term use - just as you would if you were creating a board that would be physically present in your home.

Canva was by far the most often used website to create your digital vision board and for good reason. Canva is a graphic design tool for people who do not understand fancy graphic design tools, including me :)

It’s easy to load your images to Canva, crop them to size them correctly, and add any other design elements that meets your needs. Canva also has lots of built in fonts, colors and design elements (like arrows, lines and hearts) to create a beautiful design that meets you rneeds.

Add your finalized vision board to your phone lock screen and computer screensaver.

Many online vision boards go unused because they’re not immediately visible to the creators. This was a common challenge that poll responders pointed out.

When you create a vision board on a corkboard or poster board, you’ll typically hang it up and review it daily. When you create a vision board that lives inside an app or online tool, many people found they didn’t actually revisit their vision boards after creation.

To make sure that you’re constantly reminded of your goals, the initial purpose of creating the vision board, you can:

  1. Send the image to your phone and set that image as your phone lock screen and screensaver.

  2. Set the image to your computer screensaver.

  3. Print the image out and hang it in your home.

These actions will guarantee that you’re reviewing your vision and your goals even if you initially created the vision board online.

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.


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!

Starting your business in 2022? What I’d do differently

 
 

I started Thrive Lounge in 2015. 

It started out as a women’s group called Meeting of the Minds. 

I would rent a small conference room for $50 once a month, grab some donuts and fruit and send out an email to my tiny email list of about 30 women to join me to discuss our goals. 

Once I invited a speaker. Another time I invited a photographer to take pictures of us. Each year we created vision boards. 

And for nearly two years, every event I hosted was free to attend. 

That means for the first two years of Thrive Lounge, I didn’t make any money doing it. 

In late 2016, I created a website and my first professional vision board event, VisionCon…

… and completely sold out the small conference room I purchased. 

I started to write content every once in a while when inspiration struck and I began to wonder when I’d be able to (maybe) make real money from what I was building. 

Online business ain’t easy…

… at first. 

Because there’s a million people who swear they all have the key to success online. 

A million directions you could go in… write a book, create a course, host an event, ad revenue, brand partnerships, speaking engagements, blah, blah, blah. 

The list goes on and in the beginning it’s hard to know

… what should I be working on? 

… what matters to me? 

… how do I make the most of my limited time? 

… how do I actually make money!

It wasn’t until I took B School in 2018 that I began making my first few hundred dollars per month online. It was there that I learned the timeless principles that made all the difference for me. 

There are two voices that matter in online business: Mine and My Audience. 

The perfect offer will always honor both voices. 

Marketing your creations should flow freely and honestly, like sharing good advice with a friend :) 

After all, if you don’t share your expertise, how will anyone know about it? 

Create an offer quickly. 

Too often we wait to charge money for our expertise for the most random reasons. 

I don’t know what to create. 

I’m not sure they’ll like it. 

I don’t know if it’s good enough. 

It’s good enough. 

And you can always make it better over time. 

If you’ve been considering starting a business for years, take this opportunity to go for it :) 



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!

You’re Never Too Old To Start A Business - Simple Steps To Get Started

 
Business
 

I hated hearing success stories of people who reached huge success early on in life. There were amazing dancers who started dancing at age 4 and graced stages on broadway by their mid-teens. There were gymnasts doing backflips since they could walk and earning medals before their twenties.

Then there were the Mark Zuckerburg's of the world, creating million dollar websites in dorm rooms.

These stories never inspired me. Instead, I thought about how I spent my youth ignoring my teachers, playing video games and sleeping while others chased dreams.

I spent my teens thinking about cute boys and prepping for college only to use those college years clubbing and chasing a degree I didn't use.

When I finally had the desire to build a business, I couldn't help but wonder "Am I too late?"

Comparing myself to these people who had big dreams since birth, I worried that I was too old to start something. I worried my time had passed. I was in my mid-twenties. (I know, silly right?)

Once I started building Thrive Lounge, I realized that many of the women who were in my courses and hosting Vision Board parties were in their 50's - completely debunking fears that I had in my early twenties. They showed me that starting a business at 50 or older is totally possible……you just have to get started.

But really… Am I Too Old?

Quite simply…… no.

 At age 87, my Great Grandmother serves as an usher in her church and makes extra income from home by babysitting - after being retired for nearly 30 years.

 You are unable to start a business when you can no longer create or communicate, and to be honest that has nothing to do with age. It has to do with ability.

 As long as you can create value in this world, you can exchange that value for profit.

 

Why Should I Start A Business Now?

There are a lot of reasons you might want to start a business and I've listed some below. Before you get started creating anything, you'll want to understand exactly why you want a business.

Having a solid reason why will help you to follow through when times get rough.

 

Supplement your retirement income

Many Americans do not save enough during their working years to fully fund their retirement. Starting a side hustle while you're working can help you boost your savings and help with retirement catch-up.

If you’ve already retired, then starting a side hustle can help give you a better quality of life during your remaining retirement years.

 

Retire Early

Others may have done a great job saving during their working years, but want to leave their job a bit earlier than they anticipated. Maybe your job no longer fulfills you or you feel that a different purpose is calling you.

A side business can help you close the gap between the retirement savings you have and what you need to sustain your lifestyle until you are able to tap into those funds.

 

Fill your soul with the work of your choosing

If you've spent years working in a place that drains your spirit or energy, then you might simply be ready to do something for YOU. And that is 100% OK.

Starting a side hustle or business while you're still in the work force can help you to pay off debt and save extra money. Over time, you can grow your business enough to be able to quit your day job and transition into the business that you created for yourself.

 

Help the people you want to help

When you start your own business, you get to choose the people you help. I decided to start Thrive Lounge because I wanted to help women like me - the women who felt like they gave too much, dug themselves too deep in a hole and lost themselves in the service of others. I wanted to help these women find their identity, create a lifestyle they love without judgment.

 

Create the lifestyle you want after the kids have left home

The older you get, the older your children will get too. They'll need you less, and eventually, they won't need you at all. Those little people that dictated your schedule, are all grown up and your schedule is yours to fill with the activities of your choosing.

  

Share your experience

 You've spent years going through unique experiences - the good the bad and the ugly - and you got through all of them with your head held high. You built mental tools, professional skills, and a network that helps you accelerate through any challenge you come up against. Those experiences can now be used to serve others in a way that no one else can. There is only one you. No one can tell your story like you can.

 

What kind of businesses can I start?

The very first challenge holding people back is wondering what kind of business to start, but this is very simple because there are three business types that you can start.

 

Service-based business

 Service-based businesses perform a service. Examples could be meal prep, coaching or cleaning services. My great-grandmother has babysat children for her neighbors. We train people to host vision board parties and workshops in their own communities.

 

Product-based business

 In a product-based business, you sell a physical product. For example, people who bake can sell cakes, pies, and cookies. Painters can sell artwork. Writers can sell books.

 

Information products

 Information-based businesses package and sell knowledge. For example, someone who knows a language can teach others how to use that same language.

 

How To Start A Business (or Side Hustle) At Any Age

 Start with defining a "why" for yourself.

Above, I've already outlined some great reasons you should start a business. But those reasons could apply to anyone.

 Before you jump into anything, I want you to write down the one BIG reason you specifically want to start a business.

 

Determine what you're good at.

You've built up experiences and skills over your lifetime. Make a list of all the things you could sell as a service or product.

 

Make a game plan to get started.

If you're active in your community, this could be as simple as letting people know you're looking for a gig. You could reach out to your Facebook, LinkedIn or other social media networks to let people know what you’ll be doing. You could join local small business chapters in your town to start networking.

 

Set your prices.

Set a price that feels good for you at first. Something that you can say out loud with confidence and that doesn't make you feel like you're selling yourself short.

 

Actually sell one product or service.

This is where most people get stuck. It's easy to do the prep work, but you don't have a business until you go out there and sell something. Focus your energy here.

If you can make one sale then you know that your business idea is something that people will pay for. That means you can have confidence that you can sell again and again.

 

How To Get Started Right Now

1.   Say it out loud "I'm the perfect age to start a business." You must convince yourself that you're ready before you can convince anyone else.

2.   Brainstorm different business ideas. Start by simply brainstorming the possibilities.

3.   Pick One. Here's the moment of truth. Choose one idea from your list to devote your energy to. You don't have to marry this idea for life, but you gotta start somewhere to grow.

 There is no age limit on when you can start a business. As long as you have a desire in your heart to build something using your creativity, experience, and skill, you're ready. Take action today. One step at a time.

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!


Are You Over-Planning? It's Time to Accomplish Your Goals.

 
Over Plan2.png
 

Any well-executed project starts with a good plan.

Many people want to go back to school, start a business, or maybe even retire early. Spending time mapping out a solid plan will definitely help you reach all of those goals.

But what happens when you spend too much time planning?

Is It Possible To Overplan?

Yes! Definite Yes.

I have a friend who wants to some day own his own physical therapy clinic. He listens to podcasts about how to start a business, how to grow your own physical therapy company, and how to get clients. EVERYDAY, he visualizes his big goal and how he will make it happen.

He spends SO much of his time looking through programs, and analyzing the costs and benefits of each program. He is certain of what his passion is and has clear goals in mind.

There's just one problem……. He’s been researching “next steps” for 3 years.

He has spent more time planning out his future than he has actually acting on his plan to get there.

He doesn't have the credentials to be a licensed physical therapist. He hasn't gotten his doctorate (which you must have in order to be legit). He hasn't even started studying for his GRE (a test required to get into many of the best physical therapy doctorate programs).

But... I Want To Be SUPER Prepared To Succeed!

While planning is the first step of any successful project or goal, it can also be the part that many people fail.

It is easy to convince yourself that you’re making steps forward because you are planning towards your goal, but you also have to set time aside to actually make things happen.

Planning is nothing without execution.

Also, all the planning in the world won’t prepare you for everything you encounter once you actually get started. (Just ask any women who’s been pregnant. Birthing plan? Ha!)

Most of the time, you have to get started on the path towards your goal and just start learning as you go.

How Do You Know It’s Time To Start?

YOU’RE RESEARCHING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER

How many times do you have to google “how to get started” before you get started? If you’ve googled this a few times, it may be time to quit researching and start doing.

YOU KNOW SO MUCH ABOUT A SUBJECT YOU CAN EXPLAIN IT TO SOMEONE ELSE

Have you ever met someone who knows literally everything about real estate but they’ve never bought their first home? If you are that person, than you need to start walking the walk. Consistent action will get you so much further than endless planning.

YOU CLEARLY KNOW THE FIRST STEP

All you really need in order to start….. is the first step. If you’re writing a book, pick up a pen. If you’re going back to school for your Master’s, apply to a program. If you want to get a new job, revamp that resume! If you want to start eating healthier, make a meal plan for the week. If you want to start working out, block off some time on your calendar to take a class.

Once you know what the first step on the path is to reach your goal, you have enough information to take a tiny step. Steps will soon turn into miles.

YOU’VE MOVED YOUR END DATE MORE THAN ONCE

Next year, I’m really going to start that meal plan. Like, for real this time.

The only way to really fail is not to even start. Take a chance on yourself and start that big goal. Your dreams are in good hands….. the best hands even - yours.

xoxo

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!