I made my first vision board a few years ago because my coach assigned it to me as homework. I scoffed at the idea. Questioned her judgement. Challenged her (oh yes, I’m that kind of client). The concept of the vision board felt way too woo woo for me.
I didn’t buy the idea, but I had bought my coach’s time and expertise. Since she said to do it, I did. I’m stubborn but willing like that. Sometimes.
Anyway, I sat with a pile of magazines and tore out words and images that moved me or resonated with me in some way. (Martha Beck gives great instruction on how to do this in an O Magazine article.) I glued them onto a piece of poster board. I sent my coach the picture and basically waited for the magic to happen.
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Mine is a wordy thing: wonder, vision, home, curiosity, support, freedom, let your inspiration become reality, grateful, vibrant, hope, belief, change, nurture, frolic, play, connections, celebrations, heart, moving forward, reinvention, sanctuary, thrive, embrace calm, the thrill of choosing which way to go, lighten (and brighten) up!, energy, nourish, dare, explore, make a difference, be your own boss, amazing mom, share what you know, give back, parents gone wild, love forever, best friends, strength, surprises, dreams, give thanks, find happiness, indulge every day, active, creative, compromise nothing, life is magnifique!
As I read them now, I see these words and phrases as core to how I see myself and the world — though I don’t know that I knew (or believed) that when I created the map. Those chosen words are essentially my personal mission statement.
And the images?
Honestly, I’m just as surprised as you that I was both in a hot air balloon and the top of the Eiffel Tower in 2010 even though I’d put both on my vision board a year before.
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A vision board gives you a place to go, even when you’re not sure of the direction you’re headed.
The idea I have about vision boards is this: there is a place in our subconscious from which we gather information that is unlike any other source. I play with words like intuition or inner wisdom to suggest that one can look inward to create, not needing to go anywhere else for guidance or validation. There is no right or wrong answer. Vast openness and possibility are born from imagination. Being able to quiet all the noise of shoulds and expectations of how things are “supposed” to be, and really, realllllly listen, deeply and intently, ideas emerge that guide future actions.
Now, glue those ideas on a piece of paper, and you’ve got yourself a vision board.
