There’s something special about the end of one year and beginning of another. It’s not unlike a fresh start or that “new car smell” so to speak. We’re presented with the opportunity to map where we’ve been, where we stand, and where we’re going. There are many tools to accomplish this, but the classic Vision Board is one of the best. My blog today focuses on making vision boards work for you—and there’s no better time than the start of a fresh new year!
What is a Vision Board?
By definition, a vision board is a methodology to create a visual representation of one’s goals, based on the theory that physically seeing this repeatedly helps bring motivation, direction, and unleashes possibility. It’s a powerful tool that reinforces the theory that our thoughts are powerful and visualization of achieving goals is part of achieving them. Athletes, for example, can draw on the power of vision boarding to manifest their goals. Entrepreneurs also find value in this tool as a way to chart their business aspirations. You’ve heard the adage, “Energy goes where attention flows,” right? This is the premise in a nutshell.
How and why do they work?
We all know we can train our minds; the brain itself, though, is more malleable then we might imagine. We can in fact train our brains for success using tools such as a vision board. Our brain has this ability due to process called neuroplasticity, which is the ability to learn, adapt, and in essence rewire itself. It’s what allows people to recover from traumatic injuries. Surely, if it’s powerful enough to do that, our brain can help us reach our goals, right?
Aside from the scientific point of view, the simple concept that vision boards are a tool to unleash our potential is one that we can utilize, be it for career, self-improvement, or personal goals.
Who needs a Vision Board?
We can all benefit from a vision board, whether you’re a student, an entrepreneur, a manager, or brand new to the job market. Everyone can use one in their personal life in regard to relationships, aspirations, self-improvement, etc. The possibilities are limitless.
Creating your Vision Board
You’ve decided to create one – now what? The first step is to do a lot of introspection and self-reflection. What goal(s) are you striving for? What dreams do you wish to bring to reality? There are plenty of helpful free worksheets to help this process along.
Next, decide if you will create a physical or digital vision board—or both. How do you respond best to visualization? By being able to look at, touch, and see a physical product? Or, does a phone or laptop background speak to you? Perhaps, if you decide to create a physical vision board, you can take a photo for your phone and laptop backgrounds. There are also apps for this purpose. Remember, the more you see it, the more it ingrains into that malleable brain of yours.
You’ll want to draw from variety of images that are powerful to you—people that are important, places you love, and words that inspire you to achieve goals. It can be physical things such as a cottage at the beach or a classic car, and it can be images of how you want to make a difference in your community, or a comfortable life with less stress. It can and should be a little snapshot of your desires in relation to your goals, and it doesn’t have to be anything fancy. Words and images cut from a magazine work just fine. Maybe there’s some original artwork you can add, or photography. It’s really only limited by your imagination. Think postcards of a favorite destination, your favorite quote, a graphic depicting your goal. It’s those images and words that speak to you and create a spark when you see them that’s important.
My Vision Board is assembled—now what?
The key is to place your vision board where you can see it daily. One good suggestion is to look at it twice a day, perhaps at the beginning and end of your day, for that visualization reinforcement it’s intended to create. By your desk in your home office or by your bed are two good places to place it. If it’s a background on your phone, you’re seeing it many times per day. Whatever works for you and keeps those goals top of mind is an individual preference—just make sure you’re viewing it regularly.
Should I update my Vision Board?
In short, yes; goals can change and circumstances can shift our plans. The idea is not to give up on your original goals, but to be fluid and recognize when things have taken a different direction. Let’s face it, sometimes we make powerful changes in our life’s journey that will serve us better, and it’s important to include these on your vision board. They are easy to change—paste on a new picture, remove what is no longer a goal, and reset your intentions as needed.
Free Tools for Vision Boards
Check out these great resources and remember, as with anything, the key is getting started and focusing. Take the time to do this during the holiday season as we approach 2021 – you’ll be glad you made this wise investment in yourself!
31 Free Vision Board Printables to Inspire Your Dreams
Jack Canfield’s Vision Board App
Create a Virtual Digital Board with PicMonkey
And in full disclosure, creating vision boards has been a very powerful tool for me as well as my clients. It really helps to keep us focused! I encourage you to try it and let me know what you discover!
I’d like to take this opportunity to wish my readers a joyous holiday season and a prosperous New Year! For more information on my services, visit my website at: http://mbrownassociates.com/
As a follow up to my last blog, I believe that there are even more benefits to participating in a Mastermind group which is why I am continuing the list today. Without further ado, let’s take a look!
Feedback – In life, there are common issues that are bound to arise whether it is with running a business, changing careers, or simply trying to make ends meet. Regardless, having people who may have been through these problems can be invaluable. In the group, there is always the same goal to grow personally and professionally and become more successful so you will be guaranteed help in some way or another.
Accountability – When you brave the world alone, there is very little accountability for actions. However, a mastermind group will look to change this by setting objectives at the end of every meeting. If the targets are not hit, you will be held accountable which should improve your discipline as well as keeping you motivated.
Improve Confidence – With the help of other members, you will start to make huge decisions in your life and for your business, which will allow you an improved confidence. Once you have more confidence, this will show to everyone in the same room and will soon spread to those that you can influence.
Expand Skills – When you attend meetings for your group, you will be meeting with all different types of people who all have different skills and perspectives to offer. With any luck, each member will specialize in something different, which will allow you to interact and expand your very own skill set. When you attend your very first meeting, you will see that there is a very special atmosphere to be experienced. In some ways, it is like being back in school again because you have peers who are pushing you to become even stronger. As you continue to challenge each other and raise the bar, you will soon see an improvement in your performance.
Help Others – So far, many of the benefits have been focused on what you will see in return of your investment but there is also a flip side to this since there are many other members. When you contribute an idea that gets taken forward and helps someone to increase his or her happiness in life, it can be a great feeling. When you help others, you also know that you will see the return of this at some point in the future.
Summary – As you can see, there are some amazing benefits that you will get from joining a mastermind group. Besides gaining business ideas, having many voices of reason, improving your confidence, having accountability, and expanding your skill set, you will have an opportunity to spend time with influential people and this will have a profound influence on both your personal life and your business. Amongst other things, you will make small changes, which can be a great way!
Interested in joining a Three-Month Mastermind group that I will be facilitating starting in June? In this group, you’ll learn how to be more strategic by setting SMART goals, brainstorming together, and you’ll receive a private coaching session from me each month. You’ll get three hours of strategy monthly, checklists, resources, networking, and more. Sign up by April 30th for an instant $100 discount. Want more information? Visit our 2017 Mastermind Group page, or call me at 202.518.5811. I invite you to share this with your like-minded colleagues.
Here’s to your success!!