The Value of a Vision Board

Do you have a clear vision of your dreams and goals? If not, now's the time to start figuring them out. You need to have a clear picture of what you want to achieve in order to achieve it. A vision board is an excellent tool to help you get to where you want to be. Many of you have probably seen or heard of vision boards, and some have probably tried it. ++But were you using it correctly? It's not just a matter of putting a bunch of pictures on a board and expecting things to just magically happen. There is more to it.

First of all, what is a vision board? Simply put, it is a visual representation of our goals. You can have a vision board for goals for a single area, such as finding your dream job, being more relaxed, improving relationships, or traveling more. Or you can have a vision board that encompasses goals for several areas of your life. The choice is yours. There's tons of flexibility in creating a board that works for you. Here are some ideas to get you thinking:

• positivity

• financial abundance

• love

• travel

• connecting with nature

• inner peace

How does a vision board work? According to psychologists, mental practices such as visualization have been shown to increase both motivation and confidence. As I said before, it is a tool to help you reach your goals. You have to put in some work to make it happen, but it is your daily visual reminder of what you are trying to accomplish. You want to keep it in a prominent place that you will see it regularly (ideally, first thing in the morning).

Some of the world's most influential leaders believe in the power of manifestation. Deepak Chopra, an Indian-American writer and alternative medicine advocate, follows this belief. Oprah Winfrey is also a big believer. Stars like Denzel Washington, Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, Jim Carrey, and Steve Harvey are also followers of this practice.

For those of you who believe in manifestation (like I do), believe you are deserving and that it is possible, and put your dreams out into the universe to help you achieve those goals. Spend a few minutes each day looking at your board, visualizing yourself in those pictures, and believing it is possible.

For more information on manifesting, I highly recommend the book and/or the movie The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. Even if you have read or seen them before, do it again! I recently re-watched the movie, and it reminded me of the power it has. There are also other books in the same vein.

How do you make a vision board? It can be as simple as using a piece of poster board and gluing magazine cut-outs onto it. You can use a corkboard and print off pictures that represent your goals, which is what I do, or you can even make an electronic vision board using Canva's Free Online Vision Board Maker. If you go electronic, make your wallpaper or home screen your vision board, so you see it frequently.

There are other options as well. You could use a magnetic board with magnets or a large picture frame. You can use pins, tape or clips to secure the images. The sky is the limit, and the creativity of it is part of the fun. There are no rules here! You want to create something that will inspire you and motivate you. If you aren't feeling creative, there are vision board kits you can order here on Amazon.

I currently have one physical vision board for travel and three electronic ones: one for wealth, one for self-care, and one for what my perfect day would look like. I look at them, reflect on why they are important to me, put them out into the universe, and make sure I take steps to reach my goals each day.

What are some topics you have or would like to have a vision board for? I'd love to hear in the comments below. I'd truly enjoy seeing pictures of the vision boards you've made. I will show you my travel board in the comments.