Using a Vision Board for Goal Setting

A few years ago my sister-in-law told me she made vision boards with her friends each January. I had no idea what she was talking about. Then she explained it was a way to help visualize the goals or resolutions we make each year on January 1st. I’m a firm believer that putting things out in the universe, as in actually saying things out loud in an affirmative way, helps you achieve those goals. In my mind, it mentally helps you accept new ideas and new habits. I’m now also a firm believer in visualization of goals, too.

I spent the evening with my SIL, sipping wine, listening to music, and cutting out magazine images and words to create this collage. It was an awesome throw-back to projects I did with friends in middle school, minus the wine. Not only was it a great way to share time with her and learn new things about her, but it helped get my ideas flowing for what I really wanted to work on and gain in the upcoming year. Then, I went home with my board and put it on my desk, which in my tiny apartment was directly across from my bed. I could see it and be reminded of my goals every day, from every corner of my room.

Fast forward a year and I was getting ready to make another board, with a different friend this time. I referred back to my first board and realized I had accomplished or made progress on every goal I set for myself. That was the first time I ever got close to any goals let alone all of them. It felt amazing.

I haven’t made my board quite yet, though I have my list of goals written down. I’ll be making it soon, I just have to find some more magazines. It’s never too late to start on growth and working towards your best self. You can start any day of the week, and time of day. It doesn’t have to be on December 31st or January 1st. It could be on your birthday, after a great or crummy weekend, a bad or great day at work, etc. Growth can happen at any time. You just have to acknowledge that you want to grow, and then reflect on what you want to change.

[clickToTweet tweet=”It’s never too late to start on growth and working towards your best self. You can start any day of the week, and time of day. ” quote=”It’s never too late to start on growth and working towards your best self. You can start any day of the week or time of day. “]

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Setting goals for your very own vision board:

• Make a list of goals you want to work towards for the year.
• Make sure your goals are achievable.
  • For example, I wanted to put myself out there and meet new people and give dating another try (after a hiatus that is best explained in another article). I did not put the expectation on myself that I would find ‘the one’ and use an image of a bride. I used a picture of a man and woman talking. Less-pressure. Goals should be something you’re excited about because you want them, not because you feel like you have to have them or have to be at a certain place in life.
• Make your board YOURS. Have it stand out to you. If you don’t love it, you won’t want to look at it. Personal growth and change should be and is exciting and rewarding. It’s not a punishment but growth towards  your best future.

[clickToTweet tweet=” Goals should be something you’re excited about because you want them, not because you feel like you have to have them or have to be at a certain place in life.” quote=” Goals should be something you’re excited about because you want them, not because you feel like you have to have them or have to be at a certain place in life.”]

How to make a board:

Making a board is easy! It only requires a few materials and you and your biggest dreams:

1. Gather your materials. Find a heavy piece of cardboard or material that will work as the backing of the collage. Grab some glue, scissors, and magazines. 
2. Clip images and words from magazines, newspapers, etc. The goal is to find a visual representation of what you want to achieve. Take your time going through. Tear out anything that resonates with you. Recycle the rest.
3. Have fun with it! Make a night of it with friends or your sister or maybe even your significant other. It can be as creative as you want. Jazz your board up with markers and different textures; pick out words that you connect with and images that represent how you want to feel.

Remember that every board is different. When I made one with my friend last year ours had similar goals but were represented in exact opposite ways. Her collage was all pictures and mine was nearly all words–which was funny because she originally went to school for photography and I am getting my masters in writing!

Post-board-making:

1. Put it in a place you will see it. On your desk, maybe by your night stand. Or maybe in your closet. Wherever you put it, position it with the same intention that you put into creating it.
2. Look at it! At first, look at it every day. Reminder yourself every day. Point the images out to yourself and say the words the represent out loud.
3. As time goes by, let the board fade from your mind. Glance at it when you need it, but take some time away from it so that when you go back to it in a month or two you can reflect what has changed. Obviously, you should be working towards this goals the whole time. For example, if your goal is to work out more, then maybe you’ve made a plan to walk to work or train for a 5k that is a few months away. Just looking at pictures of your goals won’t actually help you achieve them if you’re not also putting in the work.

Vision boards are tools that we can use to remind ourselves of our goals and build new habits into our lives.

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