Have you ever set specific goals to be accomplished by the end of the year, only to give up on them after a couple months? It happens to me EVERY year. As a result, this year I have done a lot of self-reflection. Particularly reflecting about Jesus, my health, my relationships, and my career. Through all of my self-exploration and research of how to actually achieve my goals, one thing stuck out to me. Vision Boards! (This was just what I had been missing!) I'm a very hands-on, visual, creative person and Vision Boards sounded right up my alley! In short, after completing my very first Vision Board, I knew I had to share this fun and inspiring idea! Here is my How-To for creating vision boards to help others reach their goals!
Step 1: Materials for Vision Boards
To begin with, you should gather supplies. You will need a Poster board, cork board, foam board, or whatever you want to use as your board. Consequently, I used a file folder spread open simply because that is all I had on hand at the time. Glue sticks (or push pins if you decide to go with a cork board) and Scissors are necessary materials to cut and glue pictures and words from magazines to make your Vision Board. In the meantime, you'll want to gather magazines pertaining to your goals and that have big, bold images and titles. Examples of the type of magazines you can use: Oprah Magazine, Women's Health, Parents, Forbes, Sunset Magazine, etc.
Step 2: Reflection Strategy for Vision Boards
Next, in order to find the right kind of magazines for your Vision Board, you need to think about your goals. What did you experience and accomplish? For example, I wrote out what all I had accomplished to-date and then wrote a letter to myself about my tenacity. This really helped get me into the right frame of mind for preparing myself for a great new year! In addition to finding what you're good at, enjoy doing, what you're not good at, and what is holding you back you will be able to get a good idea of where you are and where you want to be.
Step 3: Reflection Questions for Vision Boards
Us momma's don't stop and reflect on the progress that we've made and what we're capable of nearly enough! In this journey of self-reflection for our Vision Board, ask yourself these questions. What have you accomplished this year? Is there a specific direction do you want to take your life next? What do you want to change? Would you do something differently -if there was nothing holding you back? Were you surprised at how much you've accomplished? I know I was!
Step 4: BHAG for Your Vision Boards
Most importantly, being clear on your next Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal/s (BHAG) will help you to create your Vision Board. However, if you are anything like me, you have a long list of goals you want to accomplish or things you want to do but, setting a lot of goals at once means you end up doing too much and accomplishing nothing. As a rule, I would just choose 1-3 BIG goals based on your reflections. As a result, it will be so much more satisfying to be able to look back at the end of the year and see how hard you worked. Including, what all you have accomplished.
Step 5: Making Your Vision Boards
Finally, now that you have defined your BHAG's, you can go through the magazines and cut out images and words related to your goal/s. Generally, if you can't find something specific that you're looking for- just write or draw it in! That would make it that much more special and important! Thus, once you have attached your pictures and words to your board, you will have successfully made a Vision Board!! Make sure to place your vision board where you can see it and reflect on it daily for inspiration and encouragement. So then you can look upon your board and reflect on how your year went! Particularly, at the end of the year. Fun, right?!
Final Thoughts
Creating a Vision Board has been the most fun, rewarding, and thought-provoking thing I have done in awhile! I have definitely learned a few things about myself that I will be working on this year. I cannot wait for you to create your best year yet! For a more in-depth reflection check out my FREE Reflection Worksheet! Share your Vision Boards with us in the comments! To see my Vision Board head over to my Instagram @shannonsbooks!
