Why Visualization and Vision Boards are Key to Accomplishing Your Goals
/A new year brings new goals, desires, and opportunities. And in order to actually accomplish your goals and take your life to the next level, having a solid plan of action, support, and accountability are the KEYS to your success. AND a little secret called visualization…
Why visualization is key to accomplishing your goals
I used to always make new year’s resolutions, and noticed they never came to fruition. Before the new year I would write down a few things I wanted to accomplish that really excited me. And then by mid February I would fall off-track, get stuck in my “normal” routine, and forget what my resolutions even were. Turns out this was happening to my clients as well.
And then a few years ago I decided to take my new year goal planning process to the next level by adding in visualization. Visualization is any technique for creating images, diagrams, or animations to communicate a message. My favorite way to do this is with a vision board, which I explain how to create step-by-step below.
A vision board is a visual representation of your goals and desires. Humans are sensory creatures. The more we can use our 5 senses to describe our goals, the more real our desires become and the more likely we will accomplish them.
According to one of my favorite books The Secret, "The law of attraction is forming your entire life experience and it is doing that through your thoughts. When you are visualizing, you are emitting a powerful frequency out into the Universe."
I know this may be hard to believe, and it is true. Athletes often use visualization to improve their skills by envisioning themselves accomplishing a certain goal, such as crossing the finish line in a race or scoring a homerun. The same can work for you! You can think of it as a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Vision boards are a great way to start using your sense of vision to accomplish your goals. You can make yours as creative or simple as you want. I personally like my vision boards to focus on yearly goals. However, some people like to make vision boards that outline their life goals; it's a personal preference and is up to you!
How to make a vision board
1. Identify and list out your goals- Decide if you want your vision board to focus on yearly goals or life goals. Then list out your goals and desires and categorize them. For example, you can simply list out your personal goals and career goals, or if you want your vision board to be more specific, you can add more categories such as health and wellness goals, financial goals, adventurous or fun goals, and relationship goals.
Then use your 5 senses to create a strong vision for each of your goals. What does it look like to accomplish my goals? Why do you want to accomplish this goal? What does it taste and smell like? What does it feel like? I do this closing my eyes and work on really experiencing the goal being executed and accomplished. Then I write this experience out in as much detail as possible. The deeper you go, the better the connection!
To make this process not overwhelming, I like to focus on my top 3-5 goals for each category/pillar, VS. 10+ for each.
2. Get crafty- Now this is where the fun really begins! Gather your materials for your vision board, which can include poster board, markers, glue, tape, puff paint, photo albums, and old magazines. You can use anything as a base for your board, even a regular sheet of paper will work. A cork-board is another great option, just make sure you have enough space to display all your goals.
Once you have your materials, look through your photo albums, magazines, and even the internet to find pictures, words, and quotes that depict your goals and touch you on an emotional level. You want your vision board to be filled with images and sayings that inspire positive feelings, get you excited, and make you smile. You’re painting the ideal picture of your life and yourself, so only choose photos that represent what that looks and feels like.
“Hold on...what if I’m not crafty?” If you’re thinking: “I don’t have time,” “I don’t have a board or pictures,” or “Crafty projects really aren’t my thing,” a digital vision board may be the right option for you! You can create a digital vision board easily via the internet or on your mobile device within a few minutes! Some of my favorite digital vision board apps include Dreamboard and Pinterest. On Pinterest you can create a Secret board, which means no one will be able to see your vision board except you. For steps on how to make a Secret board, click here.
3. Hang your vision board in a place you will see it frequently- This step is extremely important! A vision board will only help you achieve your goals if you look at it everyday! Afterall, consistency is the driver of success! I placed mine directly in front of my bed so that I see it every morning when I wake up, and every night when I go to sleep. Not only does seeing my vision board on a daily basis keep me focused, but it instantly improves my mood and motivation level. I’ve only had my vision board up for a few days, and I’ve already noticed a huge shift in my focus.
4. Keep adjusting your goals and your board- As time progresses, you may notice that some of your goals have changed. This is okay! As this happens, you can add new photos and words to your board that depict your adjusted goals and desires. Just as your life is a work in process, your goals are as well, and can change at any point in time.
5. Take action- This is the last and most important step! It’s one thing to visualize your goals and look at them every day, and it’s another to take action towards accomplishing them. Visualization is meant to be used as a tool to motivate you towards accomplishing your goals. However, it is up to you at the end of the day to start taking action towards making your goals and desires a reality. This takes work, and the right mindset, plan, accountability and support will get you where you want to be!
It can be scary to step out of your comfort zone and try something you have never done before, and this is when you trust that the universe has your back, and that what you put out is what you shall receive. This methodology goes back to the law of attraction. “Your thoughts create your reality. You attract what you think about and that which you affirm in your life.”
