Vision Boards: Manifesting Your Future
Approximate average reading time is 5 minutes.
Beverly and I were brainstorming about the blog and as I was listening and jotting down ideas, she said something really interesting, “Vision boards are affirmation statements on steroids. We need to talk about manifesting and vision boards!” I had my quest.
At its simplest, a vision board is a visual representation of what you want. The best definition that I found and the one that resonated most with me was, “They combine positive affirmations with creative visualization to reframe your thinking—replacing self-limiting thoughts with a more empowered attitude.” What’s more, there is neuroscience behind the use of vision boards. “Looking at images on a vision board primes the brain to grasp opportunities that may otherwise go unnoticed.” That is because the brain uses “value-tagging” to imprint important ideas onto your subconscious and filter out what is unnecessary. With some self-reflection up front, they help you get clear on what you want by bringing focus to what matters most. When completed, they become a source of daily encouragement. It keeps you on track to what is important to you, and should you happen to stray off course, they get you back on track more quickly.
There are a couple of rules regarding vision boards. First and foremost: there are no rules so long as it serves to inspire!! The other big rule: They are always personal. You can choose to keep them private or make them public. You can have more than one. You can create one for any aspect of your life, big or small, both short- and long-term goals. For instance, you may have one that focuses on a single idea and another that represents your longer-term vision for your future. You can lay your vision board out on poster board or create it digitally, incorporating a collage of images and words representing your dreams and ambitions. Regardless, place your vision board where you will see it routinely, every day. The intent is that you see your vision board frequently and that it triggers a sense of motivation—manifesting your vision into a reality. Don’t be afraid to treat your vision board as a living thing. Pull things off that no longer resonate with you. Add things to it or start over with a new or different aspect of your life.