Are you tired of setting goals that you never seem to achieve?
Many people find themselves caught in a cycle of wanting their life to be different, but not knowing exactly how to get there.
A powerful tool that can help you break this cycle is the vision board. When you create a visual representation of your goals and dreams, you can enhance your clarity, focus, and motivation — sometimes without even realizing it’s happening.
This blog post answers the question, “What is a vision board and how does it work?” It also shares tips on how to create your own vision board to accelerate success in all areas of your life.
What Is a Vision Board?
A vision board is a collage of inspirational images, words, and symbols that represent what you desire in your life — whether that be personal growth, a new job, or even owning your own business. It can also be called a dream board, and it’s typically crafted on a poster board or cork board, and acts as a visual representation of what you want to achieve in life.
Vision boards have been used for centuries by people all over the world to manifest their desires and achieve their goals. This practice dates back to ancient Egypt, where people would create hieroglyphics on papyrus scrolls to symbolically represent their aspirations.
Throughout history, many cultures have embraced the idea of visualization as a way to create positive change and achieve personal growth. Where you put your focus, you put your energy. Vision boards focus your attention on what you want, which allows you to put your energy in that direction.
How Vision Boards Work
Vision boards work by impressing images and words onto your subconscious mind. Looking at images on a vision board primes your brain to recognize opportunities that might otherwise go unnoticed.
This process, known as value-tagging, imprints important information onto your subconscious while filtering out the unnecessary. According to Dr. Swart, a neuroscientist, the brain assigns a higher “value” to images compared to written words on a typical “to-do” list.
When you frequently engage with the images on your vision board, they gain prominence in your mind, which increases their importance. Then, your brain starts filtering out irrelevant information and zeroes in on opportunities that can help you achieve your goals.
Athletes frequently use visualization techniques to improve their performance because mental imagery engages the same neural pathways that would be activated during the actual activity. This “mental rehearsal” has been shown to lead to improved outcomes, such as increased athletic performance and achieving goals.
Vision boards utilize the law of attraction, which is the idea that like attracts like. Your thoughts — be they positive or negative — shape your experiences. By focusing on your desires, you create a clear path toward achieving them and attracting them into your life.
Benefits of Using Vision Boards for Manifestation
Using vision boards for manifestation has been shown by psychologists to offer numerous benefits to your personal development and overall well-being.
1. Improved Mental Health and Motivation
Normally, when you try something new, your body has a stress response and releases cortisol and adrenaline — which can make new experiences feel daunting.
However, by repeatedly looking at images related to your goals, your brain begins to perceive these actions as familiar rather than intimidating. This reduces the physiological fear response to any new situation or person, making you more likely to take healthy risks and embrace opportunities.
In this way, vision boards are not only a tool for goal achievement, but also can be a therapeutic exercise that encourages self reflection and cultivating a positive mindset.
2. Streamlined Goal Setting and Achievement
A vision board can be thought of as a sort of goal board that helps you turn vague desires into tangible, attainable, and clearly defined objectives. By consistently visualizing your goals, you increase your chances of recognizing opportunities and resources that align with your desires.
One study suggests that 1 in 5 entrepreneurs believed that a vision board helped them become successful. They stated it helped them see the bigger picture, as well as organize and create actionable steps towards achieving their goals.
By breaking down your ultimate goal into smaller, achievable tasks, you are more likely to stay motivated and focused on the end result.
3. Enhanced Focus and Clarity
A vision board helps enhance focus and clarity by keeping your goals at the front and center of your daily life. When you reflect on the images and words on your board, you train your mind to concentrate on what truly matters to you.
This focus can filter out distractions that could derail your progress. The clear direction provided by a vision board can help you stay on track and make decisions that align with your ultimate goals.
4. It’s Fun!
If the idea of writing daily affirmations or engaging in other more time-intensive manifestation methods doesn’t appeal to you, vision boards might be the perfect alternative. Once your vision board is created, it requires very little maintenance.
And it’s fun! You get to be creative and choose images, quotes, and words that resonate with you and inspire you. This process of creating an inspiration board for yourself, can bring excitement and joy to your journey.
Examples of Different Types of Vision Boards
You can create a vision board in various forms. A physical vision board can be created using a corkboard or poster board, where you cut out images, phrases, and motivational quotes from magazines or print them from the internet. This is more of a tactile, hands-on experience.
You can also create a digital vision board, which allows for flexibility with customization and access across various devices. You can use design software or applications to create a digital collage of images and affirmations that resonate with you. This gives you the option to change the layout and content easily, and to update it regularly as your goals evolve.
Creating a Pinterest board is another engaging option. By pinning inspirational images and quotes, you can curate a virtual space that reflects your desires while connecting with a community of like-minded individuals.
Vision board work is incredibly versatile and can be tailored to various aspects of your life, allowing you to focus on specific goals or areas that you wish to enhance.
Here are a few examples of different themed vision boards you could create:
Personal Growth: Focus on self-improvement goals, such as developing new skills, enhancing relationships, or improving health and wellness.
Professional Success: Use a career-specific board for visualizing and achieving professional goals — whether you’re seeking a new job or promotion, exploring business ventures, or planning to start your own business.
Travel and Adventure: Visualize the destinations you want to explore and the experiences you wish to have.
Financial Abundance: Set financial goals, such as saving for a big purchase, achieving debt-free status, or growing your wealth.
Health and Wellness: Create a board that inspires you to live a healthy and balanced lifestyle.
Relationships: Visualize the type of relationships you want to have with friends, family, or romantic partners.
Creating Your Vision Board
Creating a vision board is a totally personal and empowering experience. Here is a simple step-by-step process to bring your vision to life.
For more in depth guidance, check out my blog post on how to make a vision board for manifestation.
Items Needed:
A corkboard, poster board, or digital design tool (e.g., Canva, Pinterest)
Magazines or printed images and quotes from the internet
Scissors
Glue sticks, push pins, or tape
Markers or stickers for personalization
A quiet space to reflect on your goals and create your vision board
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Define Your Goals: Take some time to reflect on what you want to achieve. Consider various aspects of your life, such as personal growth, career aspirations, health, relationships, or travel. Write down your vision board ideas.
Choose Your Base: Decide whether you want to make a physical vision board or a digital vision board. If you’re going for a physical board, lay out your corkboard or poster board on a flat surface. For a digital board, open your chosen design tool.
Gather Visuals: Look for images, words, and quotes that resonate with your goals. This can include cutting pictures from old magazines, printing images from the internet, or creating digital graphics. You can also use physical items such as leaves, jewelry, cloth, photos, or other items that are meaningful to you.
Arrange Your Elements: Start arranging the visuals on your board. There’s no right or wrong way to do this — just make it visually appealing and meaningful to you. Feel free to group similar themes together or create a free-flowing layout.
Affix Your Items: Once you’re happy with the arrangement, start attaching the images and quotes to your board. For physical boards, use glue, tape, or pins to secure them. If it’s digital, save your layout.
Add Personal Touches: Use markers, stickers or other materials to write affirmations, inspirational words, or doodles that inspire you.
Display Your Board: Place your vision board somewhere you’ll see it daily. This could be in your workspace, bedroom, or as your screensaver on your digital devices. Consistent exposure will reinforce your goals.
Review and Update: Revisit your vision board regularly to reflect on your progress. As your goals evolve, feel free to update or modify your board with new images and affirmations that align with your journey.
FAQs on What Is a Vision Board and How Does It Work
1. What is the purpose of a vision board?
The purpose of a vision board is to visually represent your goals and desires, which serves as an unconscious influence on your thoughts and actions. By consistently seeing images that reflect your goals, you are more likely to manifest them into reality.
2. What is the major rule for creating a vision board?
The major rule for creating a vision board is to focus on what you want, not what you don’t want. Fill your board with images and words that represent the positive outcomes and feelings associated with achieving your goals.
3. How do you manifest using a vision board?
Manifesting with a vision board involves using the law of attraction, where your thoughts and intentions attract similar experiences into your life. By consistently visualizing and focusing on your goals through your vision board, you are aligning your subconscious and energy vibration with those desires and attracting them into reality.
4. How effective is a vision board?
The effectiveness of a vision board depends on your commitment, belief in your goals, and inspired action. Studies and accounts from successful individuals have validated the power of vision boards. If used consistently and with intention, a vision board can be an amazing tool for manifesting your desires.
Time to Create Your Vision Board
Vision boards are such powerful tools for manifestation — and so much fun! They help you stay focused, motivated, and aligned with your desires.
One of the most wonderful aspects of using a vision board is how much of the change occurs unconsciously. As you surround yourself with images and affirmations that resonate with your goals, your subconscious mind begins to absorb these influences.
Over time, you could find yourself naturally gravitating towards opportunities or taking actions that support your aspirations without even realizing it. Then one day, you’ll look back at the progress you’ve made and realize that you’ve reached your goals!
If you haven’t already, now is the perfect time to start your own vision board. Gather your materials, set your intentions, and create a visual masterpiece that represents the dream life you’re going to manifest.
