How My Vision Board Keeps Me Inspired (1 Year Later)

Last year, I created my first vision board.  I was very happy with it and truly inspired by the whole process from start to finish. I love seeing it every day because it keeps me motivated and on track with my personal & professional goals. So today, I thought I’d update you on how my vision board keeps me inspired even now, 1 year after first creating it.

Vision Board Basics

But first, for those of you who have never heard of a ‘vision board,’ it is in a nutshell:  a collection of images and affirmations that represent your goals or dreams. It is essentially your vision or hope for the future.

On the surface, a vision board seems to be much like a ‘mood’ board with lots of inspiring images ripped out of magazines on it.

Or, much like a Pinterest board, having loads of your favourite pictures or inspiring images.

BUT, a vision board is not quite the same as a mood board.

Although both of these types of boards offer inspiration, the main difference between the two is that a vision board provides a visual representation of very specific goals. These goals may represent what you’d like to accomplish this year or over the next 5 years, be it your finances, your career, your health or any other area.

Seeing Is Achieving

We’ve all heard the expression ‘seeing is believing.’  Well, according to studies in psychology, this may be because of the power of suggestion offered by actively visualizing our goals and our dreams.  When we see & believe in our dreams, we are more likely to achieve them.

As a natural cynic and skeptic (yes, believe it or not, I am built that way!), I am always questioning everything.  Probably the most common question I asked friends, family and teachers growing up was ‘but why’?

I am, however, also a dreamer.  It’s a weird combo, I know…

So, it is with this strange combination of traits as both a cynic and a dreamer, that I created my vision board. It contains my vision for the future. More specifically, it represents some of my current personal and professional goals.

Each and every piece was hand-picked to represent very specific goals that I have set aside for myself and which I want to fully realize in the next 3-5 years.

(For more on vision boards in general and how I created my vision board visit How To Make a Vision Board (in 5 easy steps) ).

How I’ve Stayed Inspired 1 Year Later

1. Choosing Images That Stand the Test of Time

It took me ages to find just the right images that conveyed visually what I was feeling or thinking. I relied entirely on my gut to hand select them. Be sure to select your images this way as well. Only you know what inspires you!

For this reason, I have yet to change any of the images. Each one inspires me still!

2. When In Doubt, Change It Out

Once an image stops being inspiring OR if I’ve achieved something that the image represents, I plan on changing it out for another one. It’s one of the reasons I suggest you also use push pins just as I have (instead of gluing or taping down the images).

Whenever I stop ‘seeing’ the image anymore or if it just blends in, then I’ll replace it with something that is fresh.

3. Display In A High-Traffic Area

Okay, so maybe the front foyer or living room may not be the best place to hang a vision board, but if you decide to create your own, make sure you place it where you’ll see it virtually every day.

I have mine in our den/office space.  While it’s the one spot that has yet to get the full ‘pretty fix’ treatment (the sitting area looks great, but the desk? well, it’s a bit of a ‘catch-all’), it’s also the place I go to each and every morning before heading off to my day job. Here, I go online, check my email, do some last-minute blog or social media updates, and drink my morning java.

I love seeing the vision board here each and everyday. While I don’t ‘meditate’ on it per se, I do look at it often and it reminds me of the goals I am working on and the goals I have yet to realize.

4. Refining My Vision Annually

Now that it’s been nearly a year since creating my vision board, I’m looking at it with fresh eyes to see if it matches my 2018 goals. And you know what? It still does. And you can bet that as I refine some of my current goals, I’ll be keeping my vision board close by for added inspiration.

Final Thoughts

Staying inspired is always a challenge, so why not create your very own vision board to help keep you on track?

Remember, the power is not in the vision board as a physical object, the power is in taking steps to make your vision a reality.

For some added inspiration to help you create your own personal vision board, see these entrepreneurs and how they use vision boards to visualize and manifest their goals:

• Terri Savelle Foy (super cheerful (!) but inspired & chalk-full of info from a Scriptural point of view)
• 3 Types of Vision Boards (an interesting take from a CEO’s perspective)

And when you’re ready to cast your vision and make your own, you can check out my post:

• How to Make a Vision Board (in 5 Easy Steps).

Happy vision-casting!