It’s another new year and time for a well-known tradition – New Year’s Resolutions. Many of us become excited during this fresh chapter to set ambitious goals, only to lose steam as the year progresses. Eventually, we might realise all twelve months have passed and our goals were forgotten. But there’s one tool you might want to try this year to stay on top of those goals: the Vision Board.
You may have heard of it before. Traditional vision boards are collages of photographs or magazine cut-outs, though they’re versatile and easy to personalise. Variations range from the physical cork board to the digital desktop background. Regardless of their style, these boards are an effective way to visualise your goals and the future after you’ve achieved them.
Though they’re mainly used within holistic health, some aspects of the vision board are supported by psychological research. The process of creating one is an opportunity for self-reflection, which adds clarity to the important parts of your life that you want to improve. So, how do you begin?
1) Make a List
You should start by listing all the goals you’d like to achieve within the year. It’s common to include all areas of your life – personal hobbies and skills, health or career milestones. Alternatively, sticking to career or personal goals may work if you’d prefer a more focused approach to your vision board.
Avoid setting goals or expectations that are too far out of reach; this is where many people struggle to fulfill goals. There’s no problem with wanting a larger house or an expensive car in the semi-distant future. However, most people wouldn’t be able to achieve these milestones within one year. Instead, think of your board as a stepping stone towards those larger achievements. A more practical goal would be to save up a certain amount that will lead to a car in the future. Consider where you’re starting this year when you’re planning how you’d like to finish.
2) Choose a Board
Are your goals more personal or career-oriented; and what kind of board would suit you best? Some prefer to create digital vision boards instead of the traditional physical boards.
Digital boards may be suitable if you’re tech-savvy or spend hours in front of the computer. You can create your board from a template on Canva and set it as your desktop background. If you’re using a work computer and have a career vision board, this approach ensures you’ll always be reminded of your goals when you start up your device. Powerpoints or Pinterest boards are other options for those looking to create a digital board.
If utilising your device doesn’t sound appealing, the physical board may be your ideal approach. This way, you’ll also get to decide where it will stay for the year. You might want to place it near the bathroom mirror, so you’ll see it as you get ready for the day. Or, it could hang on the wall above your desk. Perhaps your goals are more personal, or you just want them to be in view as much as possible? Place your vision board in your bedroom or on the refrigerator.
Knowing where you’ll place the board will help you decide what ‘board’ to use. Cork boards and pin boards are a classic choice. Of course, your only limit is your imagination. Wire grids can also make for a good board; you only need pegs to keep your images in place. This will allow you to make changes to the board as the year progresses.
3) Find Your References
You’ll need to gather visual references for each of your goals. For example, if you’re planning to complete a degree this year, find a photo of a graduation cap. You could even include some text to spark motivation, but keep it short and quick to read. If you’re feeling creative, add a title or phrase that captures the theme of your yearly goals. It’ll be a fun addition to a personal board that focuses on wellness or self-improvement.
Once the essential is finished, you’ll need to make your board eye-catching and engaging with some decorative elements. This step will depend on whether you’ve used the physical or digital approach. Start by looking for an aesthetic or style you like and look for ways to recreate it on your own board.
If you’re making a physical board, you can use different kinds of paper for a collage feel. Or you might want to print your own polaroid-style references. These elements can also be included in a digital board.
4) Have Fun!
All that’s left is for you to assemble your vision board. It’s an opportunity to show off your creative side, so we recommend you turn the process into a fun activity. Having this positive experience to remember may also boost your chances of staying motivated and achieving those goals at the end of the year.
Find a day when you’re completely free to focus on your vision board. This will allow you to plan how all your pieces should be arranged before you start cutting, pasting and stressing over any mistakes.
Meanwhile, you can listen to music or your favourite podcast. Or, if you’re a social butterfly, you might enjoy an ‘arts and crafts’ day with some close friends. You’ll get to chat, work together on your vision boards and bond as you share your goals with one another. Verbalising a goal with someone you trust may also help you stay motivated. Plus, you’ll have a source of support and encouragement.
We hope you have a great time creating your own vision boards. Good luck working on your goals! We have more advice below 👇
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1. Tchiki Davis. Psychology Today. What is a Vision Board and Why Make One? 2021. https://www.psychologytoday.com/za/blog/click-here-happiness/202103/what-is-vision-board-and-why-make-one
2. Canva Home Page. http://Canva.com
3. My Crafting World. YouTube. DIY: Fake Polaroid Pictures | No design tools needed | My Crafting World. 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=si07F3EQlqg