Humans have lots of flaws. In all kind of aspects of our lives we are often slack, forgetful, lazy. We lose focus. That’s probably the main cause of failure for most people. So what I’m about to suggest not only applies for traveling purposes, but also for all the things in your life that you want to achieve. Trust me, a vision board is going to save your life and help you achieve more. In this article I will tell you the steps to make one.
What is a vision board?
A vision board is a visual tool in the form of a collage and it is used for depicting goals and dreams. Vision boards can be general, encompassing general life goals or they can have a specific theme, such as travel. The board is usually made of cork, but it can also be made of wood, Styrofoam, cardboard or paper. The goals can be pined down on the board in the form of words and images.
1. Turn dreams into goals
Think about every important aspect of your life and make a list with all your goals that you want to achieve. Write down your dream job, the places you want to visit, the car you want to have, the house you want to live in and so on. Make sure you’re setting your objectives according to SMART criteria. As you may know, SMART is an acronym for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. An example will clear things up. One of my biggest dreams is to travel. Would it be ok to write that down and make it a goal? Sure, but it would be useless because it is too general. I don’t have a certain destination nor a time frame and I couldn’t possibly know when my goal is achieved. Let’s try again: My goal is to travel to Finland and see the northern lights in the next two years. See the difference?
2. Visualize your goals
Now for all your goals find images that best describe them. Print them out and make a vision board. Note that you can use more than a image for a certain goal. As a support you can use a corkboard or a whiteboard, depending on your preference.
3. Place the most important goal in the center
Think about your most important goal and place it’s image in the center of the vision board. Studies say that when you look at something, your eyes are first focused in that area. That means the center image will have the best visibility and most likely the biggest impact on your motivation.
4. Pin the long-term goals in the upper-left corner
Your list probably includes goals that are harder to achieve or will have a permanent place on the vision board. You want to stay focused on them, so place the corresponding images starting from the upper-left corner, because that’s the next zone the eyes move after looking in the center.
5. Don’t clutter the board
My advice is to be as selective as you can when you choose the images. Don’t pick too many for the same goal, save only the ones that are relevant and the ones that are a real inspiration to you. Don’t overcrowd your board and don’t overlap the images. A cluttered board won’t keep you focused. On the contrary, it can even have the opposite effect.
6. Place the vision board where you can see it everyday
After you finish your vision board, take it to the attic and leave it there. Just kidding, don’t do that. It won’t be effective unless you place it somewhere you can see it as often as you can. Most people choose to keep it on their working desk. But I have a better option, although it’s a place a little unusual for a vision board: in the bathroom, next to the mirror. You didn’t expect that, did you? Let me tell you the logic behind this. No matter what your schedule is, you get in the bathroom at least two times a day, usually once in the morning and once in the evening. While you brush your teeth, do your hair and/or makeup you can look at the board and remember what your goals are. Just give it a try and see if it works for you!
7. Do something about it
Just looking at your vision board isn’t enough to make things happen. You have to make a plan and stick to it. For every goal that you have, write down 5 things you have to do constantly to achieve it within the desired time frame. Also, don’t forget to be positive. Work hard for what you want, but do it smiling. Find a way to integrate your step by step plan into your everyday routine and you will start seeing results shortly!
8. Upgrade your goals
When you consider that a certain goal is achieved, replace it with a bolder one. For example, after I get to see the northern lights in Finland, I will set my goal to travel to Machu Picchu in three years time. Dreaming big is how you keep yourself motivated to work hard for what you want.
In conclusion, vision boards are a great way to make the law of attraction work in your best interest, but remember that the Universe needs your participation as well. Break the limits using any tool and any skill that you have to improve your life. Don’t wait. Start today!