Creating a vision board

Jonathan Swift once said, “Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others.” 

Here the question is – how to create that vision because as a student/kid, you can’t achieve something unless you comprehend the bigger picture. If you are among the students that can never put their pen on paper for a list of tasks or plan for the week; then now is the time to start doing that and this is called a ‘vision board’. All the big leaders that have brought something useful, innovative and are high achievers, they all had a vision that they put it on paper.

Here comes the role of a vision board. 

What is a vision board?

A vision board is a pictorial representation of goals, which a person wants to convert into achievements. It is also considered a powerful ‘law of attraction’ tool to narrow down desires through the power of choice.

How does a vision board work?

It helps you choose

Since childhood, you may have various desires to accomplish, for instance –  to become a pilot or a writer. However, you need to choose a practical goal to become one. That’s where a vision board can help you. 

Suppose you put a picture of your favourite writer and novel, and a luxurious car in your goals, it states that you choose to become a successful writer who can afford an expensive vehicle as well. In other words, a vision board assists you to gain the power of making choices or gives clarity to your desires.

It enables you to visualise

Once you choose what you aspire to become, you need to visualise the journey as well. Studies say that making a vision board isn’t effective until you don’t see yourself passing the bumps in the road needed to achieve the destination. 

For instance: As we discussed above, you chose to become a writer, but if you don’t visualise yourself as an avid reader first, will you be able to achieve it? Sorry, dear friend, the answer is no. So, the process of visualisation of your goal step by step will propel you forward to making it a reality.

Consistency is the key

When you place the vision board in a spot where you can see it regularly, it will compose your mind, body, and spirit to manifest your goals, as it’s a common saying – practice makes a man perfect, or when you repeat an action, you become more robust in that action.

How to create a vision board

 First of all, identify the category.

Vision board categories

• Career goals
• Family
• Travel
• Fitness
• Personality development

You can set your goals based on these two aspects:

Time: Long-term, short-term, and lifetime goals

 For example, your life goal is to become a fantastic author

• Long-term goal – Study everything that will help you to become one such as literature, arts, etc
• Short-term goal: To read five novels in a month.

Focus:  Outcome, process, and performance.

Follow SMART plan in goal setting

Be SPECIFIC – Be clear in what to achieve

Keep it MEASURABLE – Qualitative and Quantitative

Make it ACTIONABLE – Set objectives in the process

Find RESPONSIBLE people to support you – Teachers or parents

Keep it TIME-BOUND – Short-term, long-term

Steps to Make a Vision Board

Step 1 – Ask yourself these questions to perform further actions. 

Where do you want your vision board? On a wall, or inside a notebook

Plan the spot of the vision board based on your preference. If you don’t want everyone to look at your vision board, you can choose to make it in a diary or notebook that you keep along.

If you want it to put on a wall, choose the spot which is quiet and visible to you daily so that you can remember to spend some time with your vision board. It will help you in deciding the next step of the process.

You can choose to make the board simple or decorative by putting embellishments on it.

Once you decide the space of the vision board, visit the market to bring the required materials such as adhesives, tapes, pencils, scale, colours.

Do you want a single board or multiple boards separately for short-term and long-term goals? 

Depending on the availability of space and the category of goals, decide this step. If you are focusing on multiple categories such as fitness and career, then you need separate boards, but don’t go for a bigger one in that case.

What to put on the vision board?

Either you can pick the real pictures, or find out the perfect image synced with your goals from the following sources:

• Newspapers
• Magazines
• Internet – printed copy
• Books
• Flyers/Pamphlets

Step 2 – Create the vision board

This is the time to bring your creative bug outside. Spend some time with the pictures so that you can find a connection with them before finalising.

Once you are done with the selection of photos, start making the vision board. Remember one thing, put your mind and soul in making it as actively as you want to achieve the goals.

The bottom line

Here is the crux – when you get ready with your vision board, always remain honest in the process to accomplish a great outcome. An article from Forbes cited a survey done by TD Bank, which states – out of the surveyed business owners (500), almost two-thirds believe that visualising goals through a vision board helped them map and develop their business plan.