Vision Boards are “in” or “out?” I am asking myself just like I am asking you, the reader, to please provide your feedback in the comments section at the end of this post. Well, one answer is that it depends on who you talk to. I have been debating whether or not to create mine. At first, I thought of Vision Boards as “The new fad,” promoted by celebrities such as Oprah. Then, I decided to watch this YouTube video embedded below, because of course, why not learn from successful people?
Even though their popularity has grown in the past few years, Vision Boards were first introduced in the book The Secret by Rhonda Byrnes https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Rhonda-Byrne/dp/1582701709 . This book has influenced many, forcing them to believe that their lives are inextricably linked to their mode of thinking. The author insists that having a goal is not enough: thinking positively about the goal will attract good fortune. Definitely an interesting concept which I may explore in future posts. This week, however, my focus is on deciding whether or not a Vision Board will be beneficial to me and if I will ever commit to creating one.
My purpose is not to define or to guide anyone on how to make their own. There are many examples of Vision Boards, toolkit, and templates now available. You can generate ideas using Google, download an app on the iPhone app VISION BOARD at
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vision-board/id1155742410#?platform=iphone
or visit the site Pinterest at
https://www.pinterest.com/scrappinmichele/vision-board-samples/.
I don’t think there is any best way or technique to creating a Vision Board, nor that there should be rules around building them. I have heard of “Vision Board parties” where people meet to design their own, just to later compare and rank them based on criteria such as creativity, visual appeal, or other aesthetics attributes. Yes, it can be a fun group activity amongst family and friends. In my opinion, a Vision Board should not be a vehicle for comparison but a personal tool for action and growth. If you are the type of person who needs someone, a good friend or significant other, to help you remain on track or hold yourself accountable, it’s not a bad idea to get them involved in your Vision Board mapping process and/or on your journey to accomplishing your goals. Ultimately, a Vision Board must remain a personal success tool.
In my case, the most difficult step is to start. Before the Vision Board, there was the Franklin Covey planner. I took a course many years ago about how to use their planner to improve performance. These planners were designed around setting up work schedules, priorities, and goals. In our current digital work, most of us now mostly rely on our outlook calendar or phone reminders. I personally use multiple tools and still carry an agenda everywhere, but that’s me: I try to always have a back up plan (what if my phone or computer is down? what if I miss the calendar pop up? what if I misplace my agenda?).
Yes I write down goals, just like I write doctor’s appointments, birthday reminders, to-do lists, and everything else in between. Perhaps, a Vision Board could potentially lead me to achieving some of my goals, by allowing me to visualize them. But so many goals so little time :-). Some goals may be common to many of us: health/wellness, lifestyle (a comfortable place to live in, vacation/spa time), spiritual, intellectual, or relationship centric. I have read that the Vision Board must be a unique reflection of what one person desires to accomplish, to own, to experience, or to become. Staring in elementary school, I have always made it a habit of writing down everything I needed to remember. This technique has always helped me connect ideas and memorize key concepts, terms, or ideas. Therefore, it is possible that cutting or printing pictures and linking them to specific goals and realistic dates will help me bring my goals to reality.
Sticking to my goals has never been easy. I have tried, on and off, to practice gratitude via daily meditation and affirmations which are also key components of the Law of Attraction. Before I even wrote this post, I had been debating with myself, whether or not the Vision Board would even work for me. Was it too late to create one? Wasn’t I supposed to do this at the end of last year? etc. etc. excuses, excuses, lame excuses. How many times have I bought exercise equipment or enrolled into a new course (painting, pottery, or dancing) only to drop them after a while. Maybe this time, doing it will make me feel empowered.
How will my Vision Board help me achieve my 2021 goals? I don’t know yet.
It is worth a try, just like hiring a psychologist, a life coach, or being part of a support group, may help stir someone in the right direction. I may try making a Vision Board to help me become more focused, inspired, and to connect more frequently to my goals. So I have decided to do it and I have even found a location for my Vision Board, on the wall next to my bed, where I can see it from the moment I wake up. I am not the type who thinks there is a magic potion or cure out there for every problem or situation. I cannot predict the future along with its challenges and roadblocks. I have learned the hard way that life is a compilation of great pain, losses, efforts, and lessons that can propel me into turning my biggest challenges into opportunities. Thus, I will just do it this week and will report about my progress in the future. It takes courage to face one’s own weaknesses and turn them into successes. I believe in learning and moving in the right direction. As always, I look forward to learning more from reading your comments and feedback about using Vision Boards.
Let’s go FabulousP3, YOU GOT THIS.
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