How to Make a Vision Board in 6 Simple Steps
Jen Drago 
Regardless of what goals you have, a vision board is a perfect way to start on your journey forward.
I know that 2020 has been a year of stress, anxiety, unfamiliar working and school environments, canceled vacations, and a lot of at-home time. For some of us, 2020 will be a year of change for the better. For some, the events of the year have made us consider what we want to do with our lives. For some, we may want to reinvent ourselves or develop a future self that involves growing new skills and abilities.
Regardless of the pivot you may want for yourself, a vision board is a perfect way to start on your journey toward finding your true purpose or to begin the process of reinventing yourself.
Why You Should Create a Vision Board
Science that shows us that vision boards really CAN work! I read the book The Secret long ago and, while I am eternally optimistic and hopeful that the "Law of Attraction" is a real thing, I admit that I am still a bit skeptical. So, I did some research on visualization and how it impacts the manifestation of your vision.
Research has shown that using visualization to propel yourself toward a future state IS indeed effective. One study of elite athletes showed that visualization was nearly as effective as physical training and can be used to up-level athletic performance. Specifically, they mentally practice their performance from start to finish in their mind, over and over again. They do this just before their competition to prime their brain and trigger their muscle memory to perform at the highest level.
While I am not an elite athlete, I use visual cues such as looking at my vision board and my quarterly goals first thing each morning before planning my day. I find it particularly motivating to remind myself of where I am headed. Looking at my vision board raises my excitement and helps me have the focus and discipline to do the hard work necessary to move forward!
In fact, a 2009 article in Psychology Today states that "mental practices can enhance motivation, increase confidence and self-efficacy, improve motor performance, prime your brain for success, and increase states of flow".
Also, a 2016 survey of small business owners in Forbes magazine found that 82 percent of small business owners who used a vision board reported that they have accomplished more than half the goals they included on that board. And, 76% of those business owners who used a vision board said that today their business is where they envisioned it would be when they started it.
Benefits of a Vision Board
Let's review the benefits of creating a vision board as well as an important limitation of vision boards.
- A vision board provides a visual reminder of goals. As mentioned earlier, if you put your vision board in plain view where you can see it every day – a closet where you get dressed in the morning, your bathroom mirror, or next to your desk – it will be a daily reminder of your goals and what you hope to achieve in the near future. This visualization, combined with an action plan and intentional daily action, propels you forward purposefully toward your goals.
- The daily ritual of looking over your vision board will motivate you. Want to lose a few pounds? A picture of a toned, lean person on your vision board might provide a great reminder to prioritize your exercise that morning or pack a healthy lunch. Want to be an entrepreneur? An image of someone speaking to an audience or working in their comfortable environment will remind you of your aspirations.
- Finally, a vision board raises vibrational frequency so that your subconscious and your intuition picks up on cues in your environment that subtly moves you toward your future state. I know this is the "woo woo" stuff that might make some of you cringe but have faith in the process.
Limitations of a Vision Board
Vision boards have been proven effective by countless studies IF you use them for motivation as intended and combine them with action. In other words, if you create a vision board and use it every day to remind you of your goals and to create your motivation, you will be primed to take action – to put in the work that creates the outcome that you have visually represented on your vision board. So, in a nutshell, it is not the vision board that is magical. What works is your devotion to making a vision a reality.
How to Create a Vision Board
Let's get into how to make a vision board. The traditional way to create a vision board is to cut and paste images and quotes and to glue them onto a poster board. You can also create a vision board digitally if you are somewhat tech-savvy. Some say that the traditional method is the preferred method but I say "you do you!" If you are unsure, you can search for vision board examples on Pinterest. You can also do an internet search for vision board ideas to choose your method.
Step 1: Visualize Your Future
Spend a few minutes either thinking quietly with your eyes closed or journaling. Think about what you really want in your future. Specifically think about how you will feel in your future state, what choices you will make, what actions you will take, what thoughts and emotions you will have. Try to get as specific as possible.
This step is actually the most important part of creating a vision board. Without a vision, it is impossible to create a board that will motivate you. So, don’t skip this step or rush through it! In fact, allow yourself at least 15-30 minutes to visualize what you want. I really recommend journaling your thoughts too as your vision will become even more crystallized in this manner.
Step 2: Gather Your Supplies
Gather supplies including poster board, glue, magazines, prints of a favorite quote or two, and a picture of yourself having fun and/or looking happy.
For a poster board, I like a foam core board or cardboard presentation board because they are rigid. A regular poster board will work perfectly, too, especially if you intend to affix it to the wall.
For glue, I do not recommend Elmer's glue because it will make your paper pucker or ripple. I also don't recommend a glue stick because the glue sometimes fades and your images may not stay on the poster board in the long term. I personally use scrapbooking adhesive such as Tombow or a Creative Memories tape runner but I hear that rubber cement is also a good alternative.
Electronic alternative: Identify which program you would like to use. Some options include a blank slide in Keynote or PowerPoint, or a photo collage in Canva (free online graphic design program). For images, you can select images included with the software program you are using, use Google Images, or a free stock photo library.
Step 3: Select Your Images and Quotes
Cut out images that connect to your future self. In addition to selecting vision board images that convey your physical self, vocational choice, relationships, hobbies, etc., remember to include images that convey the feelings and emotions that you want to experience in your future state.
Electronic alternative: Search images and copy/paste them onto your electronic board. Don't worry about arranging your photos yet.
Step 4: Sort, Crop, Arrange, and Paste
Sort, crop, and arrange images along with 1-3 motivational quotes if you choose, on your board. Remember to start with a picture of yourself in the center of the board. Now paste everything down and, if you wish, you can decorate, add stickers or embellish in any way you like.
Electronic alternative: Sort and size images around your canvas, including 1-3 vision board quotes also if desired. Include a picture of yourself in the center. Add clip art or digital stickers and embellish any way you would like.
Step 5: Create an Action List
While your vision of your future self is fresh in your mind and represented on your board, take a few minutes to write a list of actions that you will need to take to make this vision a reality. This list will come in handy when you plan your 90-day goals and your intentional daily action so store it somewhere where you can refer to it. Remember, your vision board is only effective when it becomes your action board and motivates you into action daily.
Step 6: Hang Up Your Vision Board
Hang your vision board where you can see it every day!
Electronic alternative: Don't forget to print your vision board. You must have it physically available to you each day to review so don’t leave it in a folder on your computer, never to be seen again! You make a poster print of your vision board inexpensively at Costco, Sam's Club, Walgreens, and other photo retailers.
Congratulations! You are now a vision board creator and you have a vision board to guide your future action!