One of the best ways to make your life more fulfilling is to have a clear idea of where you want to go. When you know exactly what you want, you’re in a better position to set up what you must to do in order to proceed toward achieving it.
“The vision that you glorify in your mind, the ideal that you enthrone in your heart, this you will build your life by, and this you will become.” – Anonymous
If you can inspire yourself to move ahead, you’ll be one step closer to that life of your dreams.
The first step is to create a visual representation of your goals – a vision board. You have a lot of choices about what kind of vision board to make. Choose what moves you!
Try these suggestions:
1. Cork bulletin board. You can find these cork boards in many discount stores and craft shops, in a variety of sizes ranging from 8” x 12” to 36” x 48”. The cost for an 18” x 24” board and thumbtacks or stick-pins is under $30.
- Include photographs, images clipped from magazines, and notes on your board. Use images and words to describe what you yearn for in life.
- For example, if one of your goals is to buy a home, find a picture of a house you’d like to live in. Cut out words from magazines or newspapers that signify your wishes, like “Move to New York City.” Or you can write the phrase on a sticky note.
- If you hope to have a family someday, include a picture of a great-looking family on your board.
2. Fabric bulletin board. If you look on the internet or in your local hobby store, you’ll see some lovely fabric-covered boards with ribbon fastened to it in a crisscross pattern where you can affix photos, notes, and the like. The cost for a pre-made fabric covered bulletin board ranges from $20.00 to $80.00.
- Find patterns on the internet to make your own fabric bulletin board if you’re crafty.
- Design your fabric-covered vision board using a variety of photos, images from magazines, and cut-out letters and words.
3. Poster board. Using poster board is the least expensive way to create a vision board. You’ll have plenty of room if you spring for a commonly-sized board of 27” x 28” on which to build your vision for the future. The cost for one poster board could be under $1.00!
- Feel free to use colorful ink markers, construction paper cut into shapes, glitter glues, Crayons, paints, and any other art tools you wish. If you’re a skilled artist, you might want to sketch out your dream life on your poster board.
- Fill empty space on your poster board vision board with positive, encouraging words and phrases. Write out your specific list of goals in the middle of the board.
- Glue on pictures and pieces of fabrics, a key to signify your dream home or car, and whatever else you can come up with. Let your creativity flow!
4. Get a little wild and crazy. If you want to make an incredibly unique vision board, use a section of the wall in your family room, bedroom, or even a closet door.
- Pin up photos and magazine images. Write out words that compel you to focus on working toward your goals every day. When you want to update your vision board, remove all your images and re-paint the spot you used! Then, design your new one.
Your vision board is your inspiration, so find a way to represent everything you’re looking to build over your lifetime.
7-Day Checklist
Now that you have plenty of ideas about the types of vision boards you can make, here’s your 7-Day Checklist to complete your board:
Day 1. Decide which type of vision board you’ll make and list supplies.
Day 2. Check around to determine whether you have some of the supplies at home.
Day 3. It’s time to shop for your supplies!
Day 4. Use today to reflect on what kind of life you want to live. What do you hope to achieve? Write down your goals for the year in the areas of Career, Relationships, Social Life, Spare Time, Studying, and Trying New Things. Doing so helps you focus on what’s important to you. And you’ll get an idea of what to include on your vision board.
Day 5. This is the fun part: look through magazines and clip out images and words that illustrate your life goals. Choose pictures of areas of interest and what you plan to accomplish this year.
Day 6. Set up your work area. It might be the end of the dining table or a card table set up in the family room. Place your supplies there, including glue, drawing tools, clipped magazine items, and anything else required for finishing your project.
Day 7. Make your vision board today. Set aside plenty of time to finish it. When you’re done, place your vision board in a place where you’ll see it daily. It’s your inspiration to live a life that fulfills you.