How to Make a Vision Board by Marguerite Ham
Learn how to create a Vision board to help you focus on the goals you want to achieve this year both personally and professionally. See the instructions our Collaborative Partner Marguerite Ham created to give you the guidance you need to create your own board.
Also listen in as Lisa and Marguerite will discuss why creating a Vision Board is so important and how it will benefit you.
Lisa Baue
Lisa@yourfuneralcoach.com
Yourfuneralcoach.com
What is a Vision Board?
A vision board (also called a Treasure Map or a Visual Explorer or Creativity Collage) is typically a poster board on which you paste images and words/phrases which you’ve torn out from various magazines, printed pictures, the computer, etc., that you want to add to create a collage.
The idea behind this is that when you surround yourself with images of who you want to become, what you want to have, where you want to live, or where you want to vacation, your behaviors start to move you towards those images and those desires. It can become our compass for the year!
Each year I create a Vision Board, sometimes more than one! In some years, I will create different boards; one for my Professional goals, one for my Personal goals, or one for a specific goal I want to accomplish. Do what works for you!
Vision boards add clarity to your desires, and feeling to your visions and goals. There are several methods you can use for creating your vision board. I’ve written about each one below. You can choose the one that works best for you, depending on where you find yourself on this path of creating your life.
You can choose to do this by yourself or with a group of friends or colleagues! Make it a fun event!
Before you begin your vision board:
No matter which method you choose, have a little ritual before you begin your vision board. Sit quietly, go within and think about your intention for creating your board.
With lots of kindness and openness, ask yourself:
What it is you want to create and attract this year?
Maybe one word will be the answer. I often use one word or short phrase as a theme for the board. The word can be your guide and filter for keeping you on track for the year. Maybe images will come into your head. This process of going within, can make it a more meaningful experience. You can also play gentle music in the background to allow you to go within. (See below for guidance on how to create your One Word or Short Phrase for the Year.)
How to Create Your One Word or Short Phrase (No more than 3 words) for the Year:
ONE WORD has the potential to evoke a sense of meaning every single day. It can transform you. Take you soaring through each month, each day, and each moment……with direction, enthusiasm, comfort and determination.
Wondering what that one WORD is?
The WORD YOU choose.
A WORD OF THE YEAR signifies what will motivate YOU to action, encourage YOU when you’re struggling, and power up YOUR resolve to accomplish what you envision for your life this year.
Quite simply, the WORD OF THE YEAR is a strategy to produce REAL RESULTS. Your WORD will act as a guide to help prioritize your activities and make decisions on whether something moves you towards your goals. (Or not!) Your WORD will serve as a reminder of where you’re headed and how you must BE to get there. It gives you fuel to press on in moments of doubt or weariness. Your WORD is both a landmark and a lighthouse.
So, how do you choose ONE WORD that will serve you on every level? Here’s the fool-proof 4 step formula:
Step 1: Start by thinking about the main area you want to strengthen or change. Where in your life do you want to challenge yourself a little? What in your life does not match how you would like it to be or look?
Step 2: Now visualize your overall goal or desire for the year; the part of your life which is most in need of improvement or growth. Attach a WORD to symbolize it. What ONE WORD will get the ball rolling for YOU and continue to build momentum? It could be how you will feel about yourself; it could be how you will act. It may be in your career or personal life. It can be about your attitude, outlook or how you express yourself in the coming year. You can probably think of several, so how do you know which WORD is best for you?
Step 3: Write the WORD that comes to mind. Look at it, say it aloud. Does it call to you, does it ignite something deep within which wakes you up and causes a bolt of excitement to go through you. Does the word or short phrase energize and resonate with you, your heart, your soul?
Step 4: Once you have found your WORD or short phrase (no more than 3 words), write it repetitively, let it sink in and take hold of your heart. See it, hear yourself saying it, and breathe it in. Meditate on that word/phrase and see if it feels good in your heart. Take a few days, perhaps a few days from now, the word will not feel right. That’s ok! Start again, until you get the word that really resonates with your heart, mind and soul. Use the blank space below to write down some of your words/short phrases.
Questions to Ask Yourself As you are Creating Your Vision Board:
- What is one word I can use this year to be my focus, my filter, my compass? (see below for creating your one word)
- What type of work do I want to be doing?
- What type of activities do I want to be doing?
- What do I want to do for fun and relaxation?
- What does health and well-being look like for me?
- What do I want to accomplish professionally?
- What makes me happy?
- What makes life valuable or worth living?
- What activities do I want to learn how to do?
- What are my relationship goals?
- What type of person do I want to be?
- How do I want to contribute to the world or my community?
- What makes me feel alive?
- What are my core values?
Supplies Needed to Create Your Vision Board:
- Foam Core (I prefer 20” x 15”, which is half of a full size foam core board)
- Glue
- Scissors
- Magic markers (to add personal words that you want to add)
- Lots of images, quotes, phrases, words, etc. to glue onto your board
- Your favorite magazines (professional, personal, hobbies, etc.)
The Five Steps of Creating a Vision Board:
Step 1: Go through your magazines and tear/cut the images out that resonate with you. No gluing yet! Just let yourself have lots of fun looking through magazines and pulling out pictures or words or headlines that strike your fancy. Have fun with it. Place them on your board as you cut them out. Save the gluing for last!
Step 2: Gaze upon your board, eliminate any images that no longer feel right. This step is where your intuition comes in. As you lay the pictures on the board, you’ll get a sense how the board should be laid out. For instance, you might assign a theme to each corner of the board. Health, Job, Spirituality, Relationships, Financial, for instance. Or it may just be that the images want to go all over the place. Or you might want to fold the board into a book that tells a story. At my retreats, I’ve seen women come up with wildly creative ways to create and present a vision board.
Step 3: Glue everything onto the board. Add writing if you want. You can paint or write words with markers. You can even add bling or stickers!
Step 4: (optional, but powerful) Leave space in the very center of the vision board for a fantastic photo of yourself where you look radiant and happy. Paste yourself in the center of your board. Or, perhaps paste a picture of you with your significant other!
Step 5: Hang your vision board in a place where you will see it often. Better yet, take 3 minutes each morning and simply reflect on your board, meditate on it. This will keep your vision of the life you want to create personally and professionally in the forefront of your mind daily.
Step 6: Take a photo of your board to always keep with you wherever you are. Start each morning by looking over all the elements of your board.
Step 7: We recommend that you share your board with a friend or accountability partner and explain your goals and ction steps you have set for the year.
If you would like to share your 2023 vision board with us and others, take a photo and tag us on Facebook!
Below are some samples of Vision Boards that Lisa and Marguerite have created.
