It’s a brand new year. And a brand new year, means a brand new start. There is no more perfect time than NOW to make your vision board, and put your plan into action.
This year, we’re not just talking – we’re walking our talk. And it’s gonna be powerful. This year, we’re DREAMING BIG.
I have been using a vision board (or dream board as it is sometimes referred to) for a while now. And I refer to it OFTEN. At least once per week to make sure I’m still keeping my eye on the prize, and chasing the dream. My vision board organizes my thoughts, and reminds me why I wake up in the morning. And when I do look at it, I feel enthused, charged, positive and proactive.
The question is, DO YOU have a vision board?
Today I would like to challenge you to make your own. There is no better time than now. In case you have dismissed the idea, thinking that it is just a giant poster board of images of fancy cars, clothes, jewelry and skinny women, think again. While a fancy car may very well be on your dream board, I urge you to DREAM BIGGER.
The beauty in creating a vision board, is that it’s entirely your own. It consists of every image, or word or sentence that you envision for yourself in your life. Perhaps there is a picture of an open door, symbolizing you leaving your current job, and opening the door to new possibilities. Perhaps there is a picture of an ocean, there to remind you to take a walk by the seaside every now and then to clear your mind. Perhaps there is a piggy bank, reminding you to save more money. Perhaps there is a cozy table set for two, to remind you to inject more romance into your relationship. It is entirely your own vision. My vision board is simply a white board, with a dry eraser. I bought it for $12.99 at Office Depot, and I write and erase as my goals and visions change. On a side note, we can all dream the dream, but the difficult part is making those dreams come true– actually implementing what’s on that vision board.
So, are you ready for a fun 2012 project? We’re getting off the fence today, ladies! We’re getting unstuck, and we’re making that decision to chase the dream this year. We’re finally taking up knitting, or we’re quitting that dead end job. We’re breaking up with a toxic friend, or we’re giving more money to charity. We’re deciding to be more open to new ideas, or to spend more time with family. We’re planning a trip to Disney World with our family. We’re making plans.
Here’s how to create your dream board:
1. Buy a bristol board or poster board – any color works. Also buy yourself a box of markers and a glue stick.
2. This is the fun part! Start browsing through magazines and newspapers and cut out images and pictures that symbolize your goals and dreams. Feel free to print images or words from the Internet as well. Keep them all in a folder as you collect. There are fantastic images online if you use Google Images, for example. This is YOUR dream board, so any images, any words, anything goes.
3. Don’t be shy to put in pictures of yourself. This is your board – you could / should be present in it.
4. I like to have one sentence – the overall, big picture dream written out in the middle, or at the top. In essence, the big vision for your vision board. Think, WHAT DO I WANT?
5. Once you have collected all your images, place them on the board. Feel free to organize the board in THEMES, eg, health, romance, career, money, family, etc…
6. Grab that glue stick, and start making your dreams permanent on paper. You’re now putting it out there! Start gluing!
7. Now it’s time to PLACE your vision board! This is key to your success. It has to be VISIBLE– a place you physically go to frequently– your office, your den, your kitchen are all great choices. Don’t laugh, you can even hang it in your bathroom– something to glance at while you take a nice relaxing bath. It is important to keep the area around your vision board clean, and clutter-free.
8. Congratulations, you made it, and it’s now on your wall! Now, you have to LIVE IT! Visit your vision board frequently, at least twice per week. Look at all your images, your words. What are you doing to make them come to fruition? I even have a little ACTION PLAN section on mine, with a few action steps on how I plan to implement my goals. That is entirely up to you. But remember, visualization is just as important as action.
So what are you waiting for? Your dreams await you!
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