Vision Boards And Why You Need at Least One In Your Life

I’m starting the year with a guest post from friend Kim Steadman. Kim is the one who convinced me to start a vision journal.

When she’s not sweeping dog hair, experimenting in the kitchen, or doodling on paper, Kim is writing, encouraging, and mentoring authors. She is a freelance writer, speaker and ministers alongside her family in Grand Prairie, TX. She’s currently working on a new prayer journal and a new children’s picture book. You can find what she’s up to next at www.KimSteadman.com

Vision Boards And Why You Need at Least One In Your Life

Kim Steadman

I will be truthful that I’ve not always had a good relationship with vision boards., I thought they were something for the airy-fairy and woo-woo individuals, so I discounted them from life as something worth trying. But when I had someone whom I considered a down-to-earth individual share her experience with vision boards, I reconsidered my opinion. That was about 10 years ago. Now, I’ve tried to do some form of a vision board yearly. In the past three years I’ve created multiple themed boards.

If you aren’t familiar with vision boards let me start with the basics. Two definitions of vision are specific regarding your vision boards. A vision is “a vivid mental image, especially a fanciful one of the future.” Another definition is “the ability to think about or plan the future with imagination or wisdom.”

Vision boards give you the chance to give an image to your dreams and goals. Yes, it’s that simple.

The power of vision boards follows the line of thought from the phrase “energy flows where your attention goes.” I also have a phrase I say often, “A map not drawn is a treasure not found.”

With a vision board you capitalize on the power of focus by having images and words on your board. Now, here’s where it gets fun.

Someone introduced me to using whole life or the big picture vision boards. We all have various aspects of our life we would like to improve. Our goals can span several aspects of our life as well. My first vision board was an assortment of images spanning several aspects of my life. It made sense since I had numerous aspects of my life I wanted to improve.

But remember that focus is the key, and now I try to focus my vision boards around a theme.

Themed Vision Boards

Some possible themed vision boards for writers could be:

• Physical health
• Finances
• Business
• Emotional
• Dream things such as those items you would like to buy after you have met all your financial obligations.
• Your Writer’s Dream Life
• Envision your book you’re writing

Basic Supplies for Vision Boards

• Poster board
• Foam board or Canvas
• Magazines
• Scissors
• Tape or Glue
• Markers

If you want added decorative elements, add:

• Glitter glue
• Scrapbook paper
• Stickers
• Anything else that you want to add to make your board reflect you and your personality

Let’s get started!

Take a moment to think about these things:

1. Decide the theme of your vision board. What goals are you working toward in your personal life and/or business or writing project?

2. When you think about reaching your goals, what does your life/business look like? What tangible things do you need in place to reach your goal?

3. How will reaching this goal impact the lives of others?

4. What will it take to reach your goal? What actions do you need to take?

5. How will the process of reaching your goal change you? What emotional elements do you need to reach your goals?

Now, dive into your bundle of magazines.

What images, words, and phrases represent your life/mood/business when you’ve achieved your goal? What images or words represent what you need to do to achieve your goal?

Thumb through them and cut out pictures that represent your goals and speak to your heart in some meaningful way. This is the part you don’t want to over think. Yes, you may have a Jeep Cherokee on your vision board for things, and you want an exact image of your dream car. But if you want to feel more joyful than any image of a person laughing could represent the idea.

Also, add motivational affirmation words that represent how you want to feel about your dreams and goals.

In closing, here are final thoughts on using your completed vision board:

• Look at your dream board often. Because I don’t have a lot of extra wall space, I do my boards has half boards, on index cards, or on card stock.
• Feel the inspiration it provides. Allow yourself to gaze at it and think about what inspired you to create the board.
• Read your daily affirmations and inspirational words aloud. There’s power in hearing the words.
• Close your eyes and see yourself living in that manner.
• Express gratitude for the good that is already presenting in your life. That you took the time to dream and have goals is more than what many writers take the time to do.
• Acknowledge any goals you have already achieved. As time goes by, some of your goals will happen. Celebrate your success!

I plan to celebrate next year with my writing group all their goals, visions, and successes. If you write and would like to join our writing tribe, you can visit us at the Write More; Write Now Facebook group!