Vision Boards: Manifesting Your Future
Approximate average reading time is 5 minutes.
Beverly and I were brainstorming about the blog and as I was listening and jotting down ideas, she said something really interesting, “Vision boards are affirmation statements on steroids. We need to talk about manifesting and vision boards!” I had my quest.
At its simplest, a vision board is a visual representation of what you want. The best definition that I found and the one that resonated most with me was, “They combine positive affirmations with creative visualization to reframe your thinking—replacing self-limiting thoughts with a more empowered attitude.” What’s more, there is neuroscience behind the use of vision boards. “Looking at images on a vision board primes the brain to grasp opportunities that may otherwise go unnoticed.” That is because the brain uses “value-tagging” to imprint important ideas onto your subconscious and filter out what is unnecessary. With some self-reflection up front, they help you get clear on what you want by bringing focus to what matters most. When completed, they become a source of daily encouragement. It keeps you on track to what is important to you, and should you happen to stray off course, they get you back on track more quickly.
There are a couple of rules regarding vision boards. First and foremost: there are no rules so long as it serves to inspire!! The other big rule: They are always personal. You can choose to keep them private or make them public. You can have more than one. You can create one for any aspect of your life, big or small, both short- and long-term goals. For instance, you may have one that focuses on a single idea and another that represents your longer-term vision for your future. You can lay your vision board out on poster board or create it digitally, incorporating a collage of images and words representing your dreams and ambitions. Regardless, place your vision board where you will see it routinely, every day. The intent is that you see your vision board frequently and that it triggers a sense of motivation—manifesting your vision into a reality. Don’t be afraid to treat your vision board as a living thing. Pull things off that no longer resonate with you. Add things to it or start over with a new or different aspect of your life.
In my research, one of the most inspiring articles that I read was about a woman who treated her vision board perhaps a bit differently than others. She wanted hers to represent what made her happy—happy all the way down to her toes. The article featured a picture of her standing beside her vision board that was tacked to the inside of her closet door (it was almost as tall as her). Hers featured pictures of puppies and sunsets, beautiful gardens, and travel destinations--all images that for her triggered a positive emotional reaction. She said that during the pandemic and lock down, her vision board was her “saving grace” so she let her imagination run wild, knowing that she would once again see, experience, and know those things in the future. I fell in love with the idea of vision boards right there.
Still not sure where to start? Ask yourself these
questions:
What are my top three to five goals or ambitions in life?
What does my ideal lifestyle look like?
What positive messages do I want to hear every day?
What makes me feel fulfilled and energized every day?
What makes me smile?
It’s never too late to start a vision board. They can get you clear on your goals. They keep you focused and motivated. They can shift your mindset in a positive direction. They allow you to be creative in building a visualization tool that you can assess or reassess at any point in the future. They work. They work because they are immersive. They require you to use all your senses to connect emotionally with what it is you want. I’m feeling pretty inspired. I hope you are as well.
