How to Create a Vision Board

One of my favorite New Year’s traditions is to create a vision board for the year.  This is a really fun and effective way to gain some clarity and focus on what I really want to bring into my life moving forward and what I’m ready to let go of.

What is a vision board?

A vision board is a collage of images used to remind yourself of values, dreams, goals you’d like to manifest.  It can be a material item like a house, or intangible items like a vacation, exercise, connecting with people, becoming debt free, personality traits you’d like to work on, etc.

A vision board can be created on a physical poster board or digitally with a program like Canva.  Other supplies needed if creating a poster board vision board:  magazines, scissors, and a glue stick.

Why Create a Vision Board Instead of Just Writing a List of Goals?

Our brains are wired to remember images. When I see an image of a mountain, my brain will bring up memories of time spent in nature or hiking every Saturday, without having to think about it.  I can scan my vision board each day for a few seconds and it will remind me of everything I want to manifest, instead of reading a lengthy list of goals.

When I’m making decisions throughout the year, it’s easy for my brain to recall the images of what’s truly important to me and it helps me make better choices.

How Do I Create a Vision Board?

I’ve done vision boards by myself which is great for having a peaceful environment to collect my thoughts, and I’ve also done them with my family and even online with other friends which is fun and you get the added bonus of getting inspired by others around you.

I like to prepare for creating my vision board by doing some meditation and journaling.  It’s always good to start with some breathwork to get into a more calm mental state.

Any breath technique is fine – the important thing is to slow down the breath, especially the exhale and to be aware of your breath.  I like a 3-4-7 pattern – inhale for 3 counts, hold for 4 counts, and exhale for 7.

Next, I have a set of questions I like to ask myself to spark inspiration.

Here’s my list:

• What are you curious about?
• What are you jealous of?
• What makes you feel most alive?
• What do you want more of?
• What do you want less of?
• Who do you admire?
• What’s your ideal day look like?
• What do you want to protect?
• How do you measure success?
• What will matter at the end of your life?
• What do you crave – what are you hungry for?
• Who do you need to connect with?
• If you could be anyone, who would it be?
• What would make this year easier and better?

After getting some clarity with your journaling, you’re ready to start creating your vision board.

Browse through your magazines, looking for images and captions to help capture the impressions you’ve had while journaling.  Be sure to include any images that elicit a positive emotional response. The way your subconscious guides you may be a surprise.

After you’ve exhausted your magazines, if you feel you have something you’d like represented in your vision board but can’t seem to find it, you can always do a Google or Canva search for more images to print out.  I also like to include fortunes from fortune cookies I’ve collected.

How to Put Your Vision Board to Use

Once you’ve completed your vision board, find a spot to hang it where you’re apt to look at each day.  In your bedroom or a room where you meditate, even in the bathroom across from the toilet would work!

Just a few seconds with your vision board every day can make a big difference in the choices and decisions you make throughout the next year as you try to keep these choices in alignment with your values and the things you most want to manifest this year.

Can’t wait to hear how your vision board helps you manifest your desires this year!

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