Some of the world’s most influential thought leaders (Deepak Chopra, Gabrielle Bernstein, and Oprah, for starters) agree: It’s entirely possible to turn your dreams into reality. It’s called manifestation. well, that and hard work.
However, it’s not total magic. And it’s not something that happens overnight. To be successful with manifestation, you must set your intention, believe that it will become a reality, and then take active steps to make that abstract idea a reality. Regardless of what your goals are—learn to relax, be more patient, improve your relationship, travel more, find a job you love, or just be kinder to yourself—a vision board is a great tool to have on your journey.
but what exactly is a vision board? Bottom line: It’s a visual representation of your goals, says media and life coach Larry Zakiya. Typically poster-sized, these images contain all sorts of images and text that represent something you’re trying to accomplish.
however, don’t confuse it with a moodboard. while they are similar, they are not one in the same. A moodboard is more of a planning tool used for aesthetics: decorating a room or planning a party scheme. A vision board, on the other hand, relates to your life direction, says Larry.
There really are no rules when it comes to vision boards as it is all about creating something that inspires you to realize your dreams and goals on a daily basis. Some vision boards focus on a singular idea, while others look at the big picture of how you’d like the future to be.
does a vision board really work?
It turns out that putting your goals on paper in this kind of visual format can help you achieve them. It’s a notion that Oprah and other celebrities, like Reese Witherspoon, have touted before (although Oprah says she no longer uses a vision board because she’s a “powerful manifestor”), and there’s plenty of research to back it up.
According to current psychology, mental practices (such as visualization) can increase motivation, confidence, and even motor performance. in fact, in one study, researchers found that in athletes, visualization was almost as effective as physical practice.
It’s also a fun arts and crafts project that lets you see what your goals will look like once you reach them, says larry. So if, for example, you want to feel more comfortable with your body, you can place images of happy, healthy women along with empowering words like “confidence” on your vision board.
ok, ready? first, consider what matters most to you.
Take a moment of self-reflection and figure out what’s most important to you, says larry. Think of one or two segments of your life that you really want to change and focus on the words that those sectors bring to mind. then decide if your vision board should represent short-term or long-term change. Larry says that using annual benchmarks is more digestible and easier to track progress.
then get out your magazines.
It’s time to search your old hiding places for visual representations of your target. Or, you can always print the images you see on Pinterest and Instagram.
If you want to make improvements to your kitchen, for example, you can take a photo of a house that inspires you. Or, maybe you’d like to finally take a day off. in that case, find yourself a picture of a palm tree and some glue.
or use inline images.
If you prefer to go the digital route, there are many free programs online to help you create your vision board. For simplicity, you could create a Pinterest board. But if you want your digital vision board to look more like a physical one, use an app like Canva, which can be used on your phone, tablet, or computer. You don’t need to be an expert in graphic design – this program is free (you can pay a premium for additional functionality and graphics) and is extremely easy to use for beginners. simply import your inspiration photos and collage them onto your blank digital canvas.
To make your vision board work, put it where you can see it.
The trick is to make sure the words you use are short and the images you choose are vivid, engaging and bright, so your vision board regularly catches your eye, says larry.
Once you’re done, place your vision board somewhere that’s within your normal line of sight (your nightstand, your home office, or even next to your TV), because the key is to look at it carefully. as often as possible. Larry says.
if you don’t feel comfortable making such a statement with your vision board, larry suggests creating a smaller version. you can cut the cardstock in half or use the largest picture frame you have on hand.
Alternatively, you can use your digital vision board as your laptop wallpaper or phone home screen.
and don’t be afraid to make updates…
Although a vision board is a wonderful tool to help you achieve your goals, you can’t just sit back and hope it will magically make things happen.
Think of your vision board as a living thing: take things away, add things, or start from scratch if you want, says larry. and be open to variations of what you want to achieve. For example, if your goal is to become vegan, don’t beat yourself up if you become more vegetarian after six months or so.
“sometimes we miss the fact that we’ve accomplished something great, because it doesn’t look exactly what we thought it would,” says larry.
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