What is a vision board and how does it work?

Well, I personally think it’s needed now more than ever. This will end, so while I’m waiting for that to happen my vision board is inspiring me. And when it does end, my vision board will both inspire and steer me.

What is a vision board?

Put simply a vision board gets your ideas, dreams and aspirations out of your head and brings them to life in full technicolour. If you have super clear goals then it’s the perfect compliment. If you don’t then it’s a great place to start.

I have a very visual learning style so I need to see the future rather than just think it. Visualisation and manifestation are really powerful mindset tools. If you can see what you want every day then, subconsciously, things will start to happen. 

And I have a feeling it’ll motivate you way more than your annual work appraisal.

If you’ve been looking for a reason to do those things that you really want to do then I think everything that has happened in 2020 is that thing. 2021 is currently a blank sheet and you’re in charge.

How to create a vision board

My vision board is for life as a whole. There’s always a beautiful beach and crystal clear waters to remind me where I feel most relaxed along with words and images that align with my coaching aspirations. If this doesn’t come easily to you consider your answers to the questions below:

• What direction do you want to take in 2021?
• What do you want to change?
• What would you do if nothing got in the way?
• Who is part of your 2021?
• What would be your top priority above all else?
• What would take you out of your comfort zone?
• What energises you?
• What makes you happy?
• What do you really, really want?
• What needs your attention?
• How do you want to feel?
• If 2021 was a colour what would it be?

Your vision board can represent both your end goals and the steps you need to take in between. It can be personal or work related or a bit of both. You can get images from newspapers and magazines or off the internet. You can draw and write. It’s a chance to be creative when maybe your day job has had all the creativity squeezed out of it. 

Your vision board is as unique as you are so please never, ever, compare your masterpiece to anyone else’s.

Getting started

• Gather together old magazines, a large piece of paper or card (A3 is a great size), glue and scissors
• Set aside at least an hour to flick through
• Go with your gut instinct – and cut out everything that talks to you. You can always edit later.
• When you think you’ve got enough then lay it out, take a step back and look at what you’ve got. As long as it means something to you then that’s all that counts.
• Stick it all down and put your board where you’ll see it every day.

There are no set rules apart from parking your embarrassment and embracing your inner child. 

Don’t think about it too much. Flick through and rip out words and images that speak to you. 

Aim for a big pile and then you can edit to what feels right. 

If you don’t have any magazines you can use Pinterest or create a board in PowerPoint.

You can’t mess it up because there are no rules. It’s as unique as you are. So get sticking.

Then what?

You put your vision board where you will see it. Subconsciously it’ll have a huge impact on where you focus your attention.

Every. Single. Day. 

Mine is in my office. My friend’s is in her car and she looks at it when she’s at traffic lights. A client stuck hers inside a kitchen cupboard door.

And if the kids want to get involved the more the merrier. Get them involved in creating their own too. If they can get into the positive habit of seeing – and creating - their future then all the better.

I can’t promise a specific outcome for this exercise but I do know that when you state your intentions, visualise your dreams and take responsibility for the change you want to see amazing things really do happen.

If you don’t think you can do this on your own but really want to create some positive change in 2020 then email me hello@emilybal.co.uk for more information about coaching with me.