How to Create a Vision Board
Now that you’ve learned to set SMART Goals and how to take some action steps to achieve those goals, it’s a good idea to create a vision board. A vision board is simply a visualization tool to keep you focused on your life goals and dreams. It’s a vision for your life in the form of a collection or collage of pictures of your goals and dreams to be displayed somewhere where you will see it often.
Proverbs 29:18 says that “where there is no vision, the people perish”. We have to have that vision in front of us to make it happen.
What do you have in mind?
You have to see something before you can have something. For example, you can’t go to a builder and ask him to build your dream home without having something in mind. It’s been said that you become what you behold. The Bible describes one example of this in 2 Corinthians 3:18–that we will reflect like a mirror what we are looking at—just as when we look to God, He transforms us into His likeness.
“So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord–who is the Spirit–makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT)
Vision manifested
There is an amazing, transformational force in what we set our heart (spirit), mind (soul), and eyes (body) on. Many modern theorists and success coaches refer to this transformation as the “Law of Attraction”. The Law of Attraction basically states that you will attract into your life whatever you think about–that your mental perspective will attract external circumstances. This is not a new concept. The Bible encouraged focusing on the positive long before the Law of Attraction theories.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
“Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.” Proverbs 4:23 (GNT)
“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he…” Proverbs 23:7a (NKJV)
Our minds see in images or pictures
Writing your goals out is an important step in order to achieve them. A vision board just takes it to the next level. Our minds see things in images or pictures as opposed to words. If I were to say the word “bear”, you would probably picture a visual image of a bear in your mind instead of the word “B-E-A-R” spelled out. The idea behind a vision board is to surround yourself with pictures of your visions and dreams so they will eventually become a reality for you. When they are in a place where you can visualize and see them often, they will constantly be in the front of your mind. You will have a visual reminder of your intentions, and your dreams, goals, and vision can become a reality!
Visualization brought into reality
I heard about some powerful examples of visualization bringing dreams to reality. One you may have heard was about Jim Carrey writing himself a check for $10 million for “acting services rendered” then carrying it around in his wallet (where he would obviously see it frequently as he would open his wallet). Check out his interview about this with Oprah:
Another inspirational example of a vision board that I read about was John Assaraf’s story. John gained notoriety from the documentary film, The Secret, when he told his own personal story of the power of a vision board. John had created a vision board of some dreams and goals and on it included a picture of his dream home. Years later, his son found his vision board in moving boxes and John discovered that the vision board pictured the exact home that he had just moved into. He didn’t even realize that the home he just purchased was the picture he had posted years before! Here’s a video explaining:
As a personal testimony, I’ve already achieved several of the things posted on my own vision board (pictured at top), some of which I honestly didn’t anticipate until much later in the future. In fact, this website is one example. If you’ll notice it says “Happy, Healthy and Prosperous” across the top on the board, and that was LONG before I ever even considered creating my website/blog. Other dreams or visions I’ve accomplished include things like restored relationships, speaking engagements/conferences, travel goals, writing goals, and more.
Take Some Practical Steps to Create a Vision Board:
Vision Board Step #1:
Make a list of the things you have a vision for (look at your goals that you have written, if you’ve done so)…career, relationships/marriage, family, spiritual, finances, education, lifestyle, health/fitness/body image, etc.
Ask yourself a variety of questions such as: What are some visions God has placed on my heart? What’s my dream job? How do I see God using my gifts and talents in a fulfilling way? If I could get paid to do anything, what would it be? Who would I like to help and/or serve? What does my ideal spouse look like or what characteristics does he/she possess? What is my vision for my marriage? What is my vision for my family?
What is my dream for my financial future? What does my ideal savings account look like? What does my dream car look like? What is my dream vacation? Where would I like to travel? What does my dream house look like? Where would I like to live? What would I like to wear? What is my ideal/healthy body image? What are my health & fitness goals? What education goals would I like to accomplish? What would I like my spiritual life to look like? What kinds of things would I like to accomplish in life?
The list of questions could go on—YOU decide what kinds of things you would like to see on your own vision board. Everyone’s vision board will be different.
Vision Board Step #2:
After you have made your list, gather up the supplies you will need to construct your vision board. You will need:
- A poster board, a foam core board, or a large cork board (with pins)
- An assortment of magazines (you can check with libraries, hospitals, doctor’s offices, schools, etc. for old magazines that they may be throwing out or recycling). You may also opt to print some pictures off of the internet or use actual photos. I’ve even had some very creative students draw their own vision boards.
- You’ll need scissors to cut your pictures out, and you’ll need something to adhere them to your board (i.e. glue, glue sticks, rubber cement, Mod Podge, double-sided tape, scrapbooking tape or photos mounts, etc.)
- You can also choose to add labels or words to your vision board if you wish (you can print labels off, cut out words or handwrite them on your vision board)
- Additionally, you can also choose to put of photo of yourself on the vision board if you want
Vision Board Step #3:
Once you have your supplies collected, start cutting out pictures that match and correspond to the list you made in Step #1. You can choose to cut them out of magazines, draw your own, use photos, or find corresponding pictures online to print and cut out to use. Find and use pictures that mean something to you, that really strike you and make you happy when you look at them. Don’t start gluing yet until you have ALL of your pictures cut out and compiled.
Vision Board Step #4:
Now that you have all of the pictures, images or photos you will be using, arrange them onto your poster board or cork board BEFORE gluing anything down, and get a sense of how you want your completed board to look. Once they are arranged the way you would like them, start gluing or adhering them to your board. You can add words, phrases or labels at this point too if you wish.
Vision Board Step #5:
Once your board is complete, hang your vision board somewhere where you will see it everyday. At some point in the future you may choose to alter or change your vision board as your visions start to become a reality or if your goals and dreams change. I have mine hanging in my bedroom by my light switch so that I will see each each time I enter/exit my room.
What kinds of things will you put on your vision board? Have you had some of your visions or dreams become a reality? Tell us about it by leaving a comment below.
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*Update: Originally posted 4/21/2015
