A vision board is a collage of images, photographs and phrases related to your dreams, your goals and the objects that make you happy. It can also be called a board, or blackboard, of dreams, treasure map, or map of visions. Creating a vision board can be helpful in conceptualizing your goals, and can serve as a source of motivation as you strive to make your dreams come true.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Getting started
Step 1. Reflect on your goals
Most of us have only a vague or general idea of what they want from life, what their goals are, and what makes them happy. Nonetheless, wanting to directly analyze our concept of happy life, we flounder in an attempt to define it specifically. To make sure you are on the right track, and have no future regrets, it is really helpful to regularly take the time to clearly identify your goals and aspirations, in as much detail as possible. Only in this way will you be able to give life to real plans, consisting of concrete steps, aimed at achieving your goals. Creating a vision board can be one way to help with this important task.
Step 2. Ask yourself the fundamental questions
Before you start creating your vision board, take time to think about the following general questions:
- In your opinion, what distinguishes a "good life"?
- What makes life valuable or worth living?
- Imagine yourself on your deathbed: what are the goals you wish you had achieved?
Step 3. Break down the core questions
To be able to answer these big questions (which is not easy!), Break them down into smaller questions:
- What activities would you like to learn to do?
- What are the hobbies or activities that you already do but would like to improve or simply continue to pursue?
- What are your career goals? What are the intermediate steps required to reach your dream job? (For example, do you need a particular degree or internship?)
- What are your goals in relationships? Don't just decide whether you want to get married or not, commit to a long-term relationship or have children - think more specifically about the type of partner you would like to be with you, the type of time you would like to spend with them, etc.
- How would you like to be remembered? For example, would you like to write a bestseller? Do you want to be the head of a charitable organization capable of positively influencing the lives of others?
Step 4. Choose a theme
Based on the discoveries made by completing the previous steps, it is time to decide what will be the centerpiece of your vision board. Don't be afraid of having to limit yourself by creating a single table of visions capable of containing all your dreams. You will be able to build multiple and separate ones, each dedicated to a different theme.
- You can decide to create a vision board by focusing on your specific goal. For example, if you want to be able to afford the vacation of your dreams within the next year, you can design a Jamaica-themed table.
- Alternatively, you can design vision boards with a more general theme. For example, after reflecting on who you would like to be, and how you would like to be remembered, you may have decided that you want to become more kind and generous. In this case, your table of visions can be dedicated to that theme. Among other things, you can include photographs of the people you inspire yourself.
Part 2 of 3: Creating Your Table of Visions
Step 1. Decide which format to give to your board
After selecting the theme, you will need to choose its format. Most of those who create a board of visions choose a physical form, giving life to a paper board, made of cork or any other material that allows it to be hung or leaned on the wall. Once placed in a prominent position, you will be able to view your board regularly and reflect on your goals every day.
- There's no reason to limit yourself to this unique vision board style though. If you want, you can for example create an electronic one. Design your own webpage or blog yourself, use a site like Pinterest or simply create a private document on your computer, in which you can enclose motivating images and statements.
- Choose the format you prefer, considering which one will guarantee a more frequent and regular viewing and updating of your table.
Step 2. Look for motivating images to compose your table with
The time has come to collect positive images that match the chosen theme. Among the most common research sources we can certainly include the internet, magazines and photographs, but always keep your eyes open and also explore the surrounding world in search of postcards, newspaper clippings, labels, etc. that are stimulating and inspiring.
- When choosing an image, select it with a keen eye, making sure to closely analyze every detail.
- For example, if your goal is to enter the university of your dreams, include a picture of the building, but select only photographs that were taken during your favorite season, or those that show students engaged in activities mentioned above. you would like to be part of.
Step 3. Look for motivating words as well
You want your vision board to have a high visual impact, and to contain abundant images that fascinate you and catch your attention. But don't forget to spice it up with numerous inspiring phrases and statements.
- An affirmation is a positive saying or writing that you can repeat to yourself like a mantra. You can decide to write your own statements, or search online, in the library or bookstore.
- Make your affirmations positive. For example, if your goal is to be chosen as the first violinist in your orchestra, but in the past you have struggled to be consistent in practice, despite the good resolutions you make every New Year, do not include a statement similar to: "This time I will not abandon the practice of the violin after only one month as I always do ". You would only point out your past shortcomings with an overall negative tone.
- Instead, prefer something like: "I will fill my house with joyful music every day." This is a considerably more positive statement, describing playing the violin as something enjoyable rather than an activity to be tolerated.
Step 4. Compose your vision board
After selecting inspiring images and statements, you can set your creativity in motion by composing the board of visions. Experiment with different projects, you can be inspired by some fun examples available online, but don't be afraid of having to stick to the styles of others.
- Consider giving your table a colorful background. Select the shade carefully, based on the nature and content of the chosen theme. For example, if you want to stay motivated to achieve a complex physical milestone (like being able to lift your own weight on the bench press), opt for a strong color, such as red.
- If, on the other hand, you want to commit to having a calm and relaxed life, go for a reassuring color like blue.
- Consider adding a photo of yourself to the center of your vision board, and then surround yourself (literally!) With inspiring images and words.
- Once you've selected a design and layout that suits you, use glue or paper clips to attach images and words to the background of the board. If you have chosen to create an electronic version, don't forget to save it!
Part 3 of 3: Using the Table of Visions
Step 1. Place it in a place where you can see it on a daily basis
In creating this vision board, your goal is to bring to life a visual reminder of your aspirations and to be able to view it regularly to keep you focused and motivated. Therefore, don't hide your vision board in a secret place!
- You might want your table to be a private source of inspiration, and there's nothing wrong with that. If so, don't feel like you have to hang it up in the living room. Likewise, if you have created an electronic version of it, don't feel obligated to make it public. Most web pages and blogs can be made private, or set up for limited viewing by the public.
- In fact, your vision board should be accessible to yourself, and there is no point in placing it where you cannot usually see it.
Step 2. Observe your table regularly
Make a commitment to look at it at least once a day, actually looking at it, rather than just staring at it. Spend at least five minutes studying its content daily and focusing on the images.
Don't just read motivating sayings and statements silently - say them aloud and with conviction. It is one thing to mentally repeat to yourself “I will become a successful designer”, it is quite another to listen to you as you say it to yourself with confidence. If you don't believe in yourself, who else will?
Step 3. Don't be fooled by false promises related to the vision table
Creating a vision board can be a great way to find inspiration, identify and shape your dreams, and stay focused and motivated. However, if you intend to dedicate yourself to this project only because you have heard that building a board of visions the "right" way and changing your way of thinking the "right" way ensures that the universe fulfills all your dreams, think twice. times before starting.
- In fact, there is no scientific evidence that creating a vision board and visualizing your success in achieving your goals will actually set the universe in motion.
- While you shouldn't give up before you even begin, it's good to understand that life often tends to get in your way and sometimes, however hard we try, we simply won't be able to achieve everything we want. If you embark on this project thinking that you will get results simply by doing it right, and then fail to have everything you want, it will only pave the way for guilt and disappointment, feelings that can lead to depression and lack of self-confidence. self-esteem.
Step 4. Use the view table to visualize the process, not just the result
Your vision board can provide you with a tangible point of view to help visualize your goals. However, you should know that there is a debate within the scientific community about the importance of the role that visualization plays in implementing strategies to achieve our goals. Some recent studies suggest that those who spend more time visualizing and imagining themselves achieving success in reality perform less than expected.
- For example, students who were asked to spend time imagining how satisfying it was to successfully pass an exam performed worse than those who viewed their study process and those who did not visualize at all.
- The lesson to be learned from this and other similar studies is that while it is helpful to specify your goals and spend time visualizing what our life would be like once they are accomplished, it is equally effective for your mental health and advisable to focus on some specific steps. to do along the way.
- For example, there is probably nothing wrong with daydreaming how wonderful it will be to cross the finish line of your first marathon. However, by just visualizing that moment of success, it will be unlikely that you will be able to complete such a tiring goal.
- In practice, sometimes the time you would spend visualizing might be better spent exercising. Make sure your vision board contains multiple motivating images and sayings that are also related to the training process - not just the moment of success. And, of course, don't forget to put on your jogging shoes and go out for a run!
