Do you hear the words Vision Board and think it’s hokey? Or that perhaps that ooey-gooey magical thinking is required? Are you thinking that you’ll have to “manifest” something but don’t know how? Then don’t worry. Don’t let any of that scare you away. This is why your Vision Boards should be practical. If you’re reading this expecting to get tips on how to “manifest” then you’re in the wrong place. I’m a firm believer in Vision Boards, but I also know that sitting around and wishing for your goals isn’t going to get you any closer to them unless you put some action behind that wishing.
What A Vision Board is NOT
A vision board is not a wish list. It’s not a dream board. It’s not something that you create once and stow away hoping everything will come true. That was something I did with the Sears catalog when I was a kid. I’d go through the toy section and pick out what toys I wanted and then put the book away. If I didn’t tell my Mother what toys I wanted for Christmas, I didn’t get them. (Like the year I got a doll and carriage when really, I just wanted a truck like my brothers got.)
I have heard Vision Board being used in conjunction with manifesting or manifestation according to the Law of Attraction. That’s not a Vision Board, it’s a Dream Board or even a wish or a hope board. Vision Boards are so much more than Dream Boards and so much more practical.
What a Vision Board IS
We’ve already determined that Vision Boards are not something that you create in the hopes of getting what you wished for. A vision board is more practical than that. It’s a visualization of your goals. It helps you to stay focused on your goals so that the steps you take are in alignment with them. So you can call it a Vision Board or if that sounds too hokey for you, then call it an Action Plan or a Goal Board. Whatever has a meaning for you is appropriate. The key here is that you have the board.
In a previous post, What Is The Purpose of a Vision Board, I wrote about the very first rudimentary vision board (really just a picture) that I ever had. All for a coat. When I was young, we always got the practical winter coat. You know, it would keep you warm in sub zero temperatures while making you look like the winterized version of the Pillsbury Dough Boy—that coat. But, when I was in Middle School, I saw a cute coat that I really wanted. It was the kind of coat that wouldn’t keep me warm in really cold weather, but I wanted it.
Since my parents wouldn’t buy it for me, I cut out a picture of the coat and put it in my mirror. I looked at that coat every day and it reminded to save my money for the coat. Eventually, I got it and wore the hell out of it. And yes, I shivered through really cold days just so I wouldn’t have to put on the massive parka.
That is a Vision Board. It’s that simple. There’s no mumbo-jumbo associated with it. It’s a visual reminder. Every time you look at it, you’re reminded of the goal/goals that you’re driving towards.
But if the word Vision Board still scares you, then call it something else. And if you don’t want to put it into a visual board, then create a 5 year To Do List or a Bucket List on Pinterest. Or better yet, create a Portable Vision Board.
Why I’m A Fan of Portable Vision Boards
If you’ve been reading my blog at all, then you know that I not only love Vision Boards, but I love Portable Vision Boards. If you’re wondering why the reason lies in the purpose of them. A Vision Board reminds you of your goals, but if it’s sitting on your bureau or hutch at home then how does it help you in the real world when you need to make decisions? It’s best if the Vision Board is somewhere near you so you can reference it. Why do you need to reference it?
- Boost you up when you’re feeling low.
- Remind you of your goals.
- Help you make decisions about which path to take when you’re at a crossroads.
Once you have a Portable Vision Board, you can carry it with you. Put it in your pocketbook, bag or backpack. Open it up for some inspiration and to help you keep on track towards your goals. If you’re a visual person, if you’re a visual learner then this is one of the best ways to be reminded of your goals.
Hi Jennifer I think a portable vision board is a great idea as you always have your inspiration with you.
Yes. I love the fact that I can refer to it when I need it.
Love the portable idea – I have just the place for it. meanwhile, it’s high time that the jumbled bulletin board next to me became a vision board. Thanks for the nudge.
I’m glad you love the idea. Vision boards remind us of our goals and because of that we’re able to better see the opportunities as they come along.
What a great idea! I’ve heard of writer’s using a storyboard and I think it works the same way as your vision board. I’ve thought of using a story board, right now I’m using a rough outline for my stories and I like it. So I just might graduate to a story board/vision board. 🙂
Yes, I think it’s similar to a story board. If it works for what you’re writing about, how about making it work for you?
Yeah. That works for me. 🙂
Useful – the thing I have never done is add goals and stuff to my vision boards. Don’t know why. Just pinned high level aspirational stuff.
I think a Vision Board needs to include both. High-level aspirational stuff is great, but how are you going to get there?
I do a version of a vision board every year. I call it my “Intentions.” I use pictures and phrases and pin it up at work and at home. I use the phrases like a precept–a way to guide my behavior and choices. I use the pictures to visualize how I want to operate in the world. For example, this year’s “board” has a picture of a leaping fawn. To me that symbolizes lightness–don’t take things too seriously, leap in the tall grass instead.
I’ve been doing this for a few years now and it has most definitely impacted how I live. It’s nothing I’m “doing”–not a to-do list or a list of steps (not a list at all). It’s not something I want to “call” to me with the laws of attraction (though I think that’s still a great idea, too). My intentions are meant to inspire actions and guide thought processes, without dictating the exact form those actions or thoughts should be.
Is that what you have in mind for Vision Boards?
What works best for you is what I have in mind. I love that you use a Vision Board to set intentions.
I love your explanation of a vision board. I take a picture of mine on my phone for inspiration on the go.
Thank you. Having a picture of it works too. You need to check in once in a while for that inspiration!
That’s the best way of looking at vision boards I have ever heard – because you are right, they can sound a bit dippy hippy. I really need to do this as I have totally lost my way with everything I was doing over the last year or so. And Having elderly parents needing care is no excuse ?I know you have your mum to care for and yet you still manage to write and move forward. Or it seems that way from the outside looking in. My brain is all over the place all the time so maybe I need to buckle down and get back to doing this.
Having a Vision Board is more important than ever now because of how up in the air other things are with taking care of my mother. It helps me to stay on track. And I’m such a visual person (as I know you are,) that it helps to look at pictures of my goals, not just look at lists of my goals. (Although I do admit, I have both!)
I really think I might have to look into a vision board! I’m feeling inspired.
You really should. At the very least, it helps to keep your focus on your goals.
I consider my Pinterest account my portable vision board. I have so many beautiful, inspiring photos. Sometimes I like looking at them and just imagining. I’m also happy to say some have come true!
I think the most important thing for a Vision Board is that it has to work for the person who is using it. While I pin a lot of things on Pinterest that are my goals, I don’t go back and look at them that much. But My portable one? I take it out every day and look at it. And I’ve checked a few things off as having met them already.
I’ve always said I was going to make one of these one day. I kind of ended up using Pinterest to help along those lines.
Pinterest is fine. What matters most is that you’re doing it and looking at it.