A Glimpse of What’s Ahead
- Why Vision Boards Are Worth Your Time
- My Personal Success Story: How Horses Led Me to the Olympics
- Clarify Your Aspirations
- Choose the Type of Vision Board
- Gather Materials That Inspire You
- Get Creative and Assemble Your Board
- Find the Perfect Spot for Your Masterpiece
- Celebrate, Evolve, and Stay Inspired
- Why It Works: The Power of Visualization
Why Vision Boards Are Worth Your Time
Many of us have big dreams—traveling the world, starting a business, pursuing a passion project—but often lack the clarity or motivation to make those dreams a reality. A vision board is a creative way to keep your eyes on the prize and your heart in the game. By arranging pictures, words, and symbols that represent your goals, you’re giving your mind a powerful visual reminder of what you’d like to manifest in your life.
My Personal Success Story: How Horses Led Me to the Olympics
I’ve been making vision boards for years, but one experience stands out in particular. I’d placed images of horses competing in cross-country events on my board—specifically because I dreamed of attending the Olympics to watch Dressage and Cross Country Horse events. It seemed like a distant wish, but I pinned those pictures of elegant horses in mid-jump, anyway.
Amazingly, everything fell into place in a way I couldn’t have scripted. Through a series of chance encounters, I ended up meeting people who introduced me to others, and before I knew it, I was actually at the Olympics, witnessing those horse events in person. I never had to force it; the opportunities just appeared. That’s the true magic of a vision board—it aligns your focus so you’re open to the people and possibilities that help you fulfill your dreams.
Clarify Your Aspirations
Before you begin gathering images, it’s essential to do a bit of self-reflection:
- What does “success” look like to you right now?
- Are there specific areas of your life you’d like to transform (career, relationships, health, creativity, finances)?
- Which goals make your heart race with excitement?
Tap into the transformative power of journaling to uncover your deeper desires and bring clarity to your goals. Reflect on the question: “What would I love in this area of my life—health, relationships, career, time, or finances?” Creating a mental or written roadmap will provide clear direction as you choose the images and words for your vision board. Download my Vision Roadmap today to define your goals and bring your dreams into focus.
Choose the Type of Vision Board
You’re not limited to poster boards and glue sticks—vision boards can be crafted in so many ways! Here are some options:
- Framed Collage: A classic poster board (or foam board) that you can hang like a piece of artwork. I love framing my boards and placing them where I’ll see them daily.
- Digital Slideshow or Pinterest Board: If you’re someone who’s always on the go, consider designing a digital vision board. You can set it as your screensaver or phone wallpaper.
- Scrapbook-Style Notebook: If you like writing as much as pasting pictures, a blank notebook is perfect. You can create mini collages on each page.
- Vision Box or Binder: For those who want to incorporate 3D elements—like small souvenirs—try a decorative box or use plastic sleeves in a binder.
Pro tip: I personally use both digital and poster boards. I love how poster boards bring out my artistic side, but digital boards are super convenient to glance at when I’m on my phone. Take a picture of your poster board and use as screen saver on your phone or computer.
Gather Materials That Inspire You
Once you’ve decided on your format, it’s time to collect the good stuff:
- Images & Quotes
- Gather images from old magazines, brochures, postcards, or printed photos from the internet. Calendars are a great source for images.
- Let your intuition guide you on choosing the images. Select ones that resonate with you. You might not know why you like them and that is ok.
- Inspirational quotes that speak to your core values and ignite your passion and purpose.
- Art Supplies
- Scissors, glue, double-sided tape, or pins
- Markers, colored pencils, stickers, washi tape, stencils—anything that helps you jazz up your board
- Meaningful Objects
- Ticket stubs (to represent travel or experiences)
- Small memorabilia that stirs happy or determined emotions (like a medal or a patch)
The goal is to have your board reflect the feelings and the life you want to cultivate—so pick what resonates deeply with you.
Get Creative and Assemble Your Board
Now comes the fun part: layout and design!
- Sort & Pre-Arrange
Place your chosen images and words onto the board (or digital canvas) before sticking them down. Experiment with different arrangements until you find one that feels just right. - Create a Focal Point
Put the most important image or word in the center, or use a larger size so it’s the first thing you see. - Use Color & Texture
Don’t be shy about layering or overlapping images. You can add ribbons, glitter, fabric swatches—whatever helps your board stand out and speak to you. - Add Personal Touches
Handwrite affirmations, doodle your own designs or include an emblem that represents your personal style. This makes your board uniquely yours.
For me, framing the final creation is a must. It turns the board into a vibrant piece of artwork that I’m proud to display.
Find the Perfect Spot for Your Masterpiece
Where you put your vision board matters, you want it to be somewhere visible:
- Bedroom Wall: Seeing it first thing in the morning and last thing at night keeps your goals fresh in your mind.
- Workspace or Home Office: A quick glance can reignite your drive to stay on task.
- Phone/Computer Screen: If you’ve made a digital version, set it as your wallpaper or screensaver for an instant motivation boost.
Framed vision board on your wall or a screenshot of your digital vision board as a screensaver]
Celebrate, Evolve, and Stay Inspired
Once your board is up, enjoy the sense of possibility and creativity it brings! Over time, you’ll notice:
- Goals You Achieve: When something on your board happens—like my experience attending the Olympics—take a moment to celebrate that victory.
- New Desires: Dreams evolve. Maybe you’ll spot fresh goals you want to incorporate or old ones you’ve outgrown.
- Board Updates: Feel free to update or replace images whenever you need. Some people switch out pictures monthly or yearly, while others do it on a milestone basis.
Remember, this is an ongoing journey. Vision boards are living works of art reflecting where you are and where you want to go.
Why It Works: The Power of Visualization
Vision boards tap into the power of visualization, helping you form a mental picture of your best future. By seeing your goals displayed every day, you:
- Stay Focused: Constantly remind yourself of why you’re working so hard or making sacrifices.
- Notice Opportunities: Your mind becomes more alert to people, events, and resources that align with what’s on your board.
- Build Confidence: Each time you see your goals, you reinforce your belief that they’re achievable—and that you deserve them.
Plenty of people have experienced surprising, almost magical connections between what’s on their boards and what shows up in real life. The key is to remain open and take inspired action when the right doors appear.
Your Next Step: Bring Your Vision to Life
A vision board doesn’t do the work for you—it simply gives you a vivid reminder that your dreams matter. If you’re ready to take practical steps toward realizing your ambitions, consider pairing your vision board with:
- Work with you vision board daily: Imagine yourself living your ideal life, being that person who has achieved that goal or dream. Ask yourself, “What action step can I take right now to move me in the direction of my goal?”
- Actionable To-Do Lists: Break down each goal into small tasks.
- Support & Accountability: Share your vision board with a trusted friend, mentor, or coach.
Whether it’s a framed poster on your wall or a digital collage on your phone, your vision board is a statement: “I choose to believe in my dreams, and I’m open to the magic and opportunities that will bring them to life.”
Ready to Start?
Gather your magazines, log onto Pinterest, or open a fresh notebook. Feel the excitement of bringing your biggest goals to center stage. You never know—you might find yourself at the Olympics (or your equivalent dream) before you even realize it.
Go ahead—dream boldly, visualize vividly, and watch as your life begins to change in ways that feel almost effortless. After all, you’re the artist of your own life masterpiece.
Looking for personalized guidance as you pursue the goals on your vision board? A dedicated coach can provide the support, accountability, insight, and motivation you need. You can contact River to explore your coaching options at https://rippleeffectconsulting.com/contact/
