How to Create a Vision Board

Introduction

I was always intrigued by the idea of a vision board. I loved looking at the vision boards other people created, and I always wondered – do they really work?

Yes – yes they do, my friend. And it doesn’t have to involve any “woo woo” stuff – unless you want it to!

Read on to learn how vision boards work and to learn how to create a vision board for yourself – and more importantly how to use it!

And if you’d like to follow along using the free 21-page workbook I put together for this post, fill out the form below and check your inbox.

What is a vision board?

A vision board is a visual representation of a situation or situations you desire to be in.

It is usually a collection of two or more images, pictures, phrases, and words that align with a desire you have and the matching emotions and feelings that go with it. It typically takes the form of a collage.

A vision board is intended to evoke the feelings you imagine you would experience if your dreams became a reality.

How does a vision board work?

A vision board works based on this simple principle: your thoughts become your feelings, your feelings become your actions, and your actions create your situation.

For example. Before you decided you wanted to buy yourself a computer, the first thing that happened was that you thought about what it would be like to own a computer.

You proceeded to think about how owning a computer could benefit you, and then naturally you began thinking about how having a computer would make you feel, and you also began thinking about how reaping the benefits of having a computer would make you feel.

Once you decided you wanted to own a computer, you committed to the decision and began taking action.

You acquired enough money to make the purchase, and then you completed the purchase transaction.

And voila – you successfully put yourself in a situation where you now own a computer.

People make vision boards to help them maintain focus – to help them maintain a specific vision.

The type of vision board we are talking about today represents a future state with an unclear pathway forward. In these types of situations, vision boards serve as a tool to keep us motivated and focused on calling in our goals.

By consistently interacting with our vision boards, it is easier for our brains to recognize opportunities that will bring us closer to our vision.

Since we are also consistently reminding ourselves about all the warm and fuzzy feelings we are going to have when we reach our goal state, we are more likely to act on those opportunities as they arise because our vision board helps us to keep our motivation consistently strong.

Regarding the Law of Attraction

Now, all of that is well and good, and you can totally turn your vision board into a reality by relying solely on your own actions and behaviors, but here’s something nifty – the law of attraction can really help to speed things up for you.

Again, if you’re not into the “woo”, you can skip ahead to “How do I create a vision board?”

The universal law of attraction states that like attracts like. Said another way, whatever type of energetic frequency we are putting out into the world is the type of energetic frequency we are going to get back.

Emotions and feelings are just energy vibrating at specific frequencies – so if we consistently focus on the feelings we want to bring more of into our life, the universe finds a way to meet us at that frequency.

Bringing this conversation back around to vision boards specifically, vision boards work by evoking very specific feelings and images about the situations we want to call into our lives.

By interacting with our vision boards on a consistent basis, we can ensure we are keeping our thoughts and feelings at an energetic match for the universe to send us opportunities to turn our dreams into a reality.

How do I create a vision board?

Cool, so here’s what’s involved with actually creating a vision board of your very own!

Step 1: Decide on the format for your vision board – analog or digital?

Vision boards typically come in two formats:

• Analog. Analog vision boards are vision boards you can physically touch with your hands. They are made from physical items like pictures, magazine clippings, printed material, stickers, pen pal letters, journal entries, etc.
• Digital. Digital vision boards live on your phone or computer. They are made from digital pictures, digital text, etc.

The next couple of sections break down these two types further.

Analog Vision Boards

Analog vision boards are a great option if you energetically resonate more with physical matter, if you don’t feel particularly computer savvy, or if you want your vision board to be highly portable.

Pros:

• Easy access to materials. You likely already have all the materials you need to get started on your vision board right away.
• Highly portable. Analog vision boards can be placed pretty much anywhere in your house or on your person such as in your bathroom, on your desk, in your planner, etc.
• No technical skills required. There’s no learning curve here when it comes to tools as long as you have the ability to use a pair of scissors and some glue.

Digital Vision Boards

Digital vision boards offer a wider arrange of images and text to choose from, you can easily export them in various sizes and formats, and they don’t take up any space in your house.

Pros:

• Inspiration is everywhere. With the internet at your fingertips, you virtually have an endless supply of inspirational graphics to add to your vision board.
• No physical materials needed. You won’t need to get out the glue, scissors, or magazines.
• Highly visible. You can place your digital vision board as your desktop wallpaper or your phone background to ensure you see it every time you’re interacting with your devices.

What type of vision board will you be creating?

Step 2: Set the scene in which you will be creating your vision board

After you’ve decided whether you’ll be creating an analog or a digital vision board, you’re ready for the next step which I like to call “setting the scene”. This just means you are ready to create the physical environment in which you will be creating your vision board.

The key to this step is to cultivate a space that supports the feelings you’re trying to evoke with your vision board.

This could mean burning some candles, putting on some music, adjusting the lighting, putting on your fanciest outfit, etc. Anything that supports the vibes you want to call in.

When setting the scene for your vision board session, consider the following elements in your space:

• Who. Who will be in your space whilst you are creating your vision board? Will it be more beneficial to ensure you are alone or do you think you’ll be able to work better if you have a friend or a loved one with you?
• What. What can you do to set an ambiance that will support the feelings and imagery you are trying to evoke? Turn on music? Light some candles? Surround yourself with your favorite crystals?
• Where. Where will you be creating your vision board? In your living room by a nice warm fire? In your home office? Outside on the patio next to the pool?
• Why. Why are you creating your vision board? Set an intention that will permeate your entire session.
• When. When are you going to sit down and create your vision board? How much time are you going to give yourself to complete the activity?

Step 3: Decide on the scope of your vision board

The scope of your vision board defines what time period it will cover as well as the specific goals you have for that time period.

Although many people traditionally think of a vision board as an overall picture of your life goals, you can actually create a vision board dedicated to as small or as big a time period as you’d like.

A lot of people like to create one vision board per year, but you could also consider creating one every quarter, every month, etc.

First, decide on a time span for your vision board.

Next, follow these three steps to really hone in on the scope of your vision board:

1. Select high-level categories
2. Select individual goals for each category
3. Ask yourself questions

Let’s talk about each of these steps in more detail.

Select high-level categories

When it comes to deciding what to put on your vision board, it helps to first identify the categories you want to incorporate. You don’t need to know specifically yet what you want to address on your vision board, but just have a general idea of the areas in your life you’d like to up-level.

Example categories include:

• Lifestyle
• Business
• Health
• Spirituality
• Hobbies
• Wealth
• Happiness
• Freedom
• Balance
• Passions

Of course you can add your own categories to this list, as well.

Select individual goals

Once you’ve decided on the over-arching categories for your vision board, identify the specific goals and dreams you have for each category.

For example, if I know I want to up-level my physical health, I may write “have a fit body” under the “health” category. If I want to achieve personal freedom in my life, I may write “run a successful 6-figure business” under the “freedom” or “wealth” category.

Don’t filter yourself here – think of your wildest and craziest dreams and aspirations, and put them on your list! Don’t focus on how you’re going to achieve these things just yet. Just focus on the things that give you butterflies or the warm fuzzies.

Ask yourself questions

If you’re having trouble coming up with individual goals, it can sometimes be helpful to ask yourself questions that will lead you to the answers you need.

Some potentials questions to ask yourself:

• What would I regret not having if I went 5, 10, or 20 years without pursing them?
• What experiences do I want to have while I am still [insert your age range here]?
• What do I already regret not getting started on?
• If I had all the time, money, skills, and resources in the world, what are the things I would immediately bring into my life?

What will the scope of your vision board be?

Step 4: Paint the picture for your vision board

Okay, so you have some scope for your vision board, and you have a general idea of what you want to put on it.

Next, you’ll want to get crystal – and I do mean crystal – clear on your vision. Because this is where the magic starts to happen.

This is the step where you visualize, in extreme detail, what it will be like when the items on your vision board come true.

I like to call this “painting the picture”. Not a literal painting. A figurative one.

The key here is to get ridiculously detailed. You want to get so specific on your vision that you can experience the exact feelings, emotions, and physical sensations you will have when items on your vision board become a reality so that you become an energetic match for your dreams.

This is the magic step, people!

You want to paint the picture like it has already happened or like it is happening to you right now in the present moment. This means you should be able to vividly imagine how it would feel to be in your desired situation.

It helps to use all five of your senses here: sight, sound, taste, touch, smell.

But I’d like to add one more to that list: how does it feel emotionally?

For each of your individual goals, answer the following questions.

What will it look like when I am living in this goal?

What car will you be driving once you reach your financial goals? What color will it be? What features will it have? What views will you have when you look out the backyard window of your dream house?

What will it sound like when I am living in this goal?

What sounds will you hear when you are living in your dream home? The sounds of nature like waves crashing on the beach or birds chirping in the forest?

What will it taste like when I am living in this goal?

What kinds of things will you be able to taste when you have achieved financial abundance? Will you be sipping on the finest champagne and eating at the most delicious restaurants?

What will it smell like when I am living in this goal?

What will it smell like when you are living in your dream home? Will you be able to smell the salty water of the ocean? The fresh scent of pine trees from the mountains?

What will it physically feel like when I am living in this goal?

What will it feel like to be able to physically hold your own books in your hands?

What emotions will I have when I am living in this goal?

What emotions will you have when you experience the feeling of quitting your 9-to-5 job now that you’ve built a business of your own? Elation? Happiness? Joy? Excitement.

After you have gone through the questions above for each of your individuals goals – go through them one more time! Push yourself to add even more detail.

Step 5: Gather images for your vision board

Now that you have a crystal clear picture of yourself already immersed in your dream state, the next step is to collect the images you’re going to put on your vision board.

The key to this step is to only choose images that align with the pictures you painted in the previous step.

Important: Do not include anything that evokes any kind of negative emotion.

Images can refer to any of the following:

• Photos
• Drawings
• Phrases
• Words
• Affirmations
• Quotes

Anything that serves to evoke your destination feels can go on your vision board.

And this step actually isn’t only limited to images – if you are making an analog vision board, you could totally add other stuff like ribbon, yarn, or any other 3-D objects that strike your fancy.

If you are making a digital vision board, some good places to find images are:

• Pinterest
• Stock images
• Google photos

You’ll want to download the photos and save them to your computer.

If you are making an analog vision board, some good places to find images are:

• Magazines
• Newspapers
• Old books
• Small pieces of artwork

You’ll want to cut the photos out of the magazines, books, etc. and make a pile.

Step 6: Create your vision board

Whew, now that you’ve done all the leg work, it’s time to actually create your vision board.

If you’re making an analog vision board, this step consists of gluing or pinning your images to your board.

If you’re making a digital vision board, this step consists of using some kind of image manipulation software to arrange your images and save your final product as an image on your computer.

I personally used Canva to create the digital vision board displayed at the top of this blog post.

There are some great tutorials out there on the internet if you want to do a search on “how to create a vision board with Canva”. You could also use PowerPoint, Google Slides, or any other image manipulation software you are comfortable with.

Tip: Regardless of which type of visual board you are creating, take some time to arrange the photos so they look nice and cohesive and inspirational before you permanently stick them somewhere.

You might find you don’t end up using all the images you picked or you might find that you end up wanting to add even more.

And that’s it! Those are all the steps you need to create your vision board.

BUT WAIT. There’s more!

Now you’ve gotta learn how to use it!

How do I use my vision board?

Creating a vision board is not a “set-it-and-forget-it” type of activity like making a crock pot meal.

In order to get the maximum benefit from your vision board, you need to use it as a tool on a regular basis.

Here are a couple of ways you can do that:

• Display it. Display your vision board in a place you will see it on a regular basis so you can draw in the feelings you want to evoke and become that energetic vibrational match for the universe to bring you what you want.
• Identify the gaps. Your vision board can help you create an actionable plan to achieve your dream state because it makes it easier to see what steps you need to take to get there.
• Take action. Take action on the things that can move you closer to yours goals.
• Practice gratitude. Practice gratitude for what you already have in your life at this moment. This way you will automatically bring yourself into the energetic frequency of receiving.
• Release attachment. Release attachment to the outcome of your vision board. By attaching yourself to the outcome of your vision board, you are automatically putting yourself in a state of lack.
• Interact with it. Interact with your vision board on a daily basis so you can continue to be an energetic match for your dreams.

Let’s talk about each one in detail.

Display your vision board

Now that you’ve got what I am sure is a gorgeous, inspirational piece of artwork that you simply can’t stop looking at because you are obsessed with it, you want to put it somewhere you can look at it on a regular basis.

Your vision board will do you no good if it is not in your presence on the daily.

The key to this step is to put your vision board in a place of prominence.

If you created an analog vision board, some location ideas would be:

• On your bathroom mirror
• Inside your planner
• Hanging in your office
• In your fridge (Haha just kidding! Or maybe not?!)
• By your bedside table

If you created a digital vision board, some locations ideas would be:

• Your phone lock screen or background
• Your computer desktop background (this is my personal favorite)
• Or you could print it out and place it in any of the suggested spots for an analog vision board

Put your vision board somewhere you will see it every day, ideally multiple times a day.

Where did you decide to put your vision board?

Identify the gaps

It’s a whole heck of a lot easier to get somewhere if you know how you’re going to get there, yes?

Same thing with the goals on your vision board.

By identifying the gaps that exist between your current life and your dream life, you can more easily see what steps you need to take to turn your dreams into a reality.

Make a list of the gaps that are currently in between you in your current state and you in your dream state.

For example, maybe I have a goal on my vision board to create a blog, but I have no idea where to even start on turning that goal into a reality – and there’s my first gap: figuring out how to start a blog.

For now you can leave your gaps at a high-level. We will break them down and make them actionable in the next section.

Take action

Now that you have identified the space between where you are now and where you want to be, break your gaps into a list of actionable steps you can take to move yourself towards your goal.

For example, if I know I need to figure out how to create a blog, my first action step could be “Google how to start a blog”.

Once you have a complete list of the action steps that will take you from point A to point B, highlight the ones you can take right now.

And then take one!

What will your first action step be?!

Practice gratitude

By practicing gratitude for the things in your life you already have, you actually put yourself in a state of receiving and abundance.

When you look at your vision board and imagine what it would be like to have all of those things, also think about how grateful you are for the things you already have.

Then think about how grateful you will be once you receive the things on your vision board.

Release attachment

By attaching yourself to the outcome of your vision board, you are automatically putting yourself in a state of lack.

Release any attachment you have to the things on your vision board. Do not try to cling onto them for dear life.

Let them all go and know that everything will come to you in its own time.

Affirmations are a great tool for releasing attachment.

Some example affirmations you could use to help you release attachment include:

• I release all attachment to my desires.
• I trust that the universe has my best interest at heart.
• I trust that all my desires will be delivered to me in time.
• I am the creator of my own universe.
• I am already receiving good things in my life.
• I am worthy of all the things my heart desires.
• I am deserving of all the things my heart desires.
• My life is overflowing with abundance.

Interact with it

You’re gonna want to have a relationship with your vision board, and by that I mean you need to interact with it on a daily basis if not more frequently than that.

I like to call this getting “emotionally involved” with your vision board.

Here are two excellent ways you can interact with your vision board:

• Visualization
• Journaling

The next couple of sections cover these exercises in more detail.

Visualization

Visualization is one of the most effective ways to interact with your vision board because again, it brings you back into alignment with the energetic frequency of your goals.

This is where all the work you did with “painting the picture” in step 4 really comes into play.

Every time you look at your vision board, go back to the ridiculously vivid picture you painted for yourself and imagine that you are already living out your goals right now. Be sure to include all the sensations and emotions you called out when you were painting the picture.

There’s no way you can get through this exercise without smiling if you are doing it right.

Journaling

Using your vision board for journaling is a really cool way to interact with it.

The general idea of this exercise is to use your vision board as a journal prompt.

There are a couple of journaling techniques you can use to do this.

Future posts

Future posts are journal entries you write from the perspective that you are already experiencing your vision board goals. You are basically pretending like you are living in the future or said another way, that your future goals have already passed and you are living in them right now.

This exercise should elicit many of the same emotions and feelings you called out when you painted the picture for your vision board.

Be ridiculously descriptive in the details you put in your future posts. Use all five of your senses plus your feelings and emotions. And make sure you write it in present tense.

Day-in-the-life entries

These entries are very similar to future posts except that they take into account an entire day in your dream life and they may not necessarily be written in present tense.

Imagine and describe what your day will look like when you’ve achieved all the goals on your vision board.

Affirmations

If you’ve added any affirmations to your vision board, they provide a great start to a journal entry.

You could simply write out your affirmations over and over in your journal, or you can expand on them and explore where they take you.

Feelings

When you look at your vision board, what kinds of feelings do you experience?

For the positive feelings that come up, lean into those and write about them in your journal.

For any negative feelings that come up, write those down and get to their root cause by identifying what triggered the feeling in the first place.

You may discover limiting beliefs, doubts, fears, etc.

It’s important to address these feelings as soon as they come up so you can get them resolved and get back to focusing on being an energetic match for what you want to call into your life.

Journal prompts

Journal prompts always provide a great starting place if you can’t think of anything to write about.

Here are a couple to get your started:

• How do I feel when I look at my vision board?
• What will it feel like once the visions on my vision board have become my reality?
• Is there anything holding me back from taking action steps on my vision board?
• What is one step I can take today to move myself closer towards my goals?

Free Workbook: How to Create a Vision Board that Actually Works

And that’s it, peeps! Everything you need to know about creating a vision board and using it effectively.

I’ve put together a free 21-page workbook to guide you through the process of creating and using your vision board! Just pop your email into the form below, and you will receive a link to the download in your inbox!