Vision boarding is one of the most creatively freeing tools you can adopt when dreaming and planning about the future of your life and work, and it’s a great way of inviting some fun into the process of building a business or connecting with your creativity.
Here, I share a step-by-step guide to curating your own vision board, an exciting opportunity to dive deep into your intentions.
Why create a vision board?
There’s so much value in having something tangible that you can refer to for assurance and inspiration as you make life changes and build your business.
Vision boards offer an imaginative way to crystallise your plans. Composed of images, text, and various visual elements, they serve as a canvas for the outcomes you want to realise.
In a fast-paced world that constantly demands evidence of our productivity and accomplishments, setting aside moments for exploration is invaluable. Crafting a vision board is one means to engage in time-out. And it doesn’t have to be a physical board; a digital version can be just as inspiring. Considering how much time we dedicate to our digital gadgets, it makes sense to transform them into catalysts for creativity as well!
Vision boards serve as a potent visual reminder of where you’re headed in life. Just as a branding moodboard helps set the visual tone for a project or brand, a vision board helps orient you toward your life’s pursuits. It’s not just about the end goal; it’s about setting the scene for the journey ahead.
What materials to gather?
- A board (it could be cork, foam, or even a large piece of paper) or a scrapbook journal
- Magazines, printouts, or any other source of images and words
- Scissors
- Glue, tape or pins
- Optional: markers, stickers, and other decorative elements
Tip: your vision board doesn’t have to be completed in one sitting. Collect materials as you find them; the more personal and relevant, the better.
Think of this as your board’s mission statement, where you can experiment with setting goals and intentions in a more visual way.
Step 1. Set your intentions
Before you begin the process, take a moment to sit down and write what you hope to achieve. Think of this as your board’s mission statement, where you can experiment with setting goals and intentions in a more visual way. It will guide you when selecting images, words, and other elements. And don’t just focus on one area of your life; include personal and professional goals to make your vision board well-rounded.
Step 2. Collect inspiration
Flip through magazines, scroll through Pinterest, or revisit your own photos to find images and words that align with your intentions. You’re not necessarily aiming for a cohesive visual narrative. This is an opportunity for creative play. Don’t overthink it. Sometimes an image will resonate with you even if it doesn’t obviously relate to your goals. And that’s okay. You intuitively know best.
Step 3. Organise your layout
Before you commit to gluing or taping, play around with the layout. See how different configurations make you feel. Consider creating sections for different areas of your life—work, personal growth, health, relationships, finances etc. This can make your board easier to digest and help you focus on specific goals. Or if you’re using a scrapbook journal you might like to create a page for each topic.
Not only can it give you direction in terms of considering the overall aesthetic you’d like to achieve, but it can also enable you to sense-check your vision and values.
Step 4. Affix your elements
Once you’re happy with your layout, start attaching your selected elements. Use glue for a permanent setup or pins for a more flexible approach. Remember, a vision board is a living reflection of your evolving goals – feel free to update or completely redo it as you aspirations transform. Once complete, place your vision board somewhere you’ll see it regularly. Take time to reflect on it from time to time, even if just for a few moments.
Step 5. Revisit as needed
Step 6. Reflection
There’s something so powerful about using visuals to help you think, plan and dream about the future of your brand. Not only can it enable you to sense-check your vision and values, it can become a catalyst for transforming plans into something more tangible. These images and symbols on your board serve as constant reminders and motivators, subtly guiding your daily decisions and actions.
So set some time aside, make your favourite cuppa and pop on some music, and then use these hints and tips to help you make your moodboard. And do share it with me over on Instagram, either by tagging me in your post or on stories, so I can see your stunning collage and celebrate you too!
