As 2018 draws to a close, many people are reviewing the past year in preparation for the one ahead. January is famous for resolutions. But as we’ve all experienced, sometimes resolutions don’t last very long. Deciding what you want to accomplish – in the short and long term – and visually showcasing your ambitions is useful when it comes to purposeful goal setting.
There are many routes to help you reach your vision for the year ahead. An effective tool is a vision board – a powerful visualization tool to help you succeed in reaching the goals that you set for yourself.
Why should you make a vision board?
For those who are visually oriented, there are many advantages to a vision board. One of the main benefits is maintaining mindfulness. Being aware of where you are, how you spend your time, and what you hope to achieve helps consciously control your choices in working toward achieving your goals.
The purpose of a vision board is to have images to inspire and motivate you to accomplish each goal. It’s best to place it in an area where you’ll see it weekly or even daily. If you are constantly being reminded of who you want to be, where you want to go, or what you want to accomplish, you’ll be conscious of the steps you need to take to attain your goals.
How do you make a vision board?
Making your board can be as creatively complicated or as simple as you wish it to be. Creating a physical, tactile version of a vision board can often be helpful. You may need to gather some materials or craft supplies such as photos, cork boards, strings, markers, pens, etc, to get started.
The first step involves brainstorming and categorizing. What would you like to achieve in the upcoming year? Can you accomplish these goals quickly, or will they stretch out for the duration of the entire year? When do they take place? For instance, is there a marathon that only takes place in May? Or is one of your goals to change your diet to a plant-based diet?
Decide on what you want to accomplish and do your homework first. Pull inspiration from online sources, motivational books, or magazines. Cut out your favorite messages or images and glue them on your board. The more specific your visuals can be, the greater impact they’ll have.
The creative freedom of a vision board is one of the best parts. If you’d like to add some structure to your board, try dividing your goals into various sections, such as:
- Career
- Health
- Hobbies
- Relationships
- Travel
Once you’ve figured out what sections are relevant to your goals, make sure to add inspirational images, quotes, or lists to each section.
What if you don’t have any specific goals?
You can’t make a vision board without having a vision! If you don’t know what goals you want to achieve in the new year, taking stock of your current situation might help.
Are you happy with your relationships, career and personal life? Do you want to make new friendships, or repair old ones? Do you want to tick destinations off your travel bucket list? Do you want to volunteer at a non-profit you’re passionate about? Make sure the goals you create are concrete and have measurable actions.
This year it’s time to ditch the resolutions and dig deeper as you decide what you’re looking to achieve, not only in 2019, but in the broader future. By taking time to engage your creativity and develop a visual representation of your future, you’ll be on the right track to success in no time!
