The time between Christmas and New Years is my favorite time of year. The time when I really reflect on all the things we accomplished (or fell short with) this year. When I cram in some last-minute goals, and prepare new ones for the year ahead. One important part of goal setting is having a vision for what you really want to achieve. It’s helpful to have something physically in front of you to help bring up these visualizations. One way to do this is with a dream board, manifestation board, or something also known as a vision board. I’ve shared a little before about how to make a vision board for kids, and how to have a vision board party. But today I’m going to talk more specifically about how to make a vision board that works. 

First off I want to tell you that I absolutely believe in the power of vision boards. My husband and I made one about five years into our marriage and seemed to quickly cross all of the items off. I created another when I turned 30 a few years ago and have been blown away as some of those visions become a reality as well. 

But if you’re here reading this you are already excited to make one so let’s get to the meat and potatoes on how to make a vision board with clarity, shall we? 

What to put on a vision board

In short, you’ll use images and words that inspire and motivate you. Get really clear on what you want out of life. Now sure where to start? Think of these categories: Relationships (friends, family, and romantic), fun, career, finances, home, travel, personal growth, health, spirituality, giving, and education. 

You could also do a themed vision board around one specific big goal you’re working towards. That perfect job, wedding day, or something like that. The idea with your vision board is to make sure you’re choosing images that help you visualize the reality you want.

Vision board rules

Let’s start with some rules ok? Following these will help you focus in on what matters and what doesn’t as you make your vision board.  

1. Let go of your fears of it not being perfect

Perfectionism could keep you back from starting and thus keep you from honing in on what you really want and making it happen. Just hunker down and get to work on creating it.

2. Your vision and dreams are YOURS

This isn’t your mom’s or your best friend’s vision board. This is YOURS. And you are allowed to dream as big as you want. Want that fancy car? Or to pay off the debt on one you already own? To travel? Have children? Read 1000 books? It’s all yours.  No dream is too big or too small. And you are under no obligation to show to this to anyone but yourself. If you’re creating yours with friends at a vision board party you might feel rushed or pressure to make yours look a certain way, or to add things other are focused on.

Before creating your board, take some time to sit and think about where you want to go from here, and try to stay true to that, and don’t feel like you need to follow the same path as another. We each are on our own journey through life. You don’t have to follow another’s road.

3. It should focus on how you want to feel, not just on things you want

Does listening to music lift your mood? Love how reading a good fiction novel can take you to new worlds? Consider finding images that help bring that feeling to life.

4. There are no rules!

Ok, after the other three you may be saying “say what?!” But really, there is no right way for all vision boards to look. But that said, one of the most common questions I get is how to make a vision board. So I’m going to break down how I usually do it so if you want something to go by, you can use this. 

The Perfect Size of Your Vision Board

I like to have one poster-sized board in a spot I look at every day. It gave me plenty of room to make my images big, bold, and easy to spot from across the room. You could have a smaller vision board that fits in your planner, or as your phone background. The key is to keep it in a place that’s easy to spot, so maybe work backwards, think of where you want to be able to see it every day, and what size would fit that accordingly.  My daughter was the first person I saw who decided to design hers vision board vertically instead of the more common horizontal way.

How to Make a Vision Board

Alright so though you can absolutely make a digital vision board that’s digital. I’m Here’s what you’ll need:

Any kind of board

I like foam board that you can pretty much get at any grocery store, Walmart or Target. You can also find some online, especially if you want some in bulk for a vision board party. You could also go fancy with a pin board or cork board. Or find something off Etsy. 

Crafting Supplies

Things like markers, stickers, scissors, or anything you want to deck out your board with. If you’re not crafty don’t fret. Mine are always simple and straight forward and work just fine. 

Images That Bring Clarity

One of the most important parts of your vision board are the images you want to look at every day that will help you visualize what you want to come to your life. There are two main ways I like to gather these.

1. Magazines: The more the better. These are so you can cut images and quotes from. No need to spend a bunch of money getting them in the checkout lane. I like to pick magazines up in bulk from the thrift stores. Or if you’re having a party make it a potluck and have people bring some from their old stash. Make sure you’re picking magazines that fit the dreams you’re mostly looking to make a reality. If you’re wanting to do more travel to exotic locations, a mens fitness magazine may not have much of what you’re looking for.

2. A Printer: Sometimes you just can’t find the perfect picture in a magazine. That’s why I recommend having a cheap printer stock full of ink to fill in the gaps. A quick google search will bring up a huge selection of images to choose from, and allow you to resize and get it to fit that spot on your board just right.

Time

Don’t feel the need to rush it. Take as much or as little time as you need to work on it. During my vision board party I noticed how some people whipped up their board in no time. Others had to take theirs home to think about it some more and complete it. It’s not a race.

The best place to keep your vision board? 

So you finished your vision board, yay! But now what? Where’s the best place to put it? That’s up to you. But I suggest putting it in a place you’ll see often. And I mean at least once every day, but the more the better. The idea is for those goals to be in your mind as often as possible so they can work to become a reality. Ours worked really well on our bedroom dresser. Right now mine is on the top of a large armor in my office but I don’t always work in there, and it’s not easy to spot. So I’m not surprised that many of the things on my current vision I’m not actively working to pursue. 

How often should you re-do your vision board?

Once a year? Once a decade? When you complete it? Really, it’s whenever you feel like it. Our first one we had from about 5-7 years of marriage when we realized we’d achieved it all. I re-made one when I turned 30 for my 30s but I’m thinking of updating it since we’ve had some major life changes (new baby, purchase of our dream home). At the start of a new decade it’s a great time to start a new vision board. 

If you want to do one at the start of the year, you can leave some space blank on your vision board to fill in through the year. Maybe you want to help your kids create one at the start of a new school year. You can also redo and rearrange it whenever you like. It’s your dreams! But I think it’s a good idea to reevaluate your board at the start of each new year.

How to make the vision board work

Now that you’ve created your vision board and put it in a place you can frequently see it, it’s time to put it to work. Picture yourself with those feelings and items on your board. It may feel silly but take yourself seriously. Believe in that future reality. If you are a believer, add in the power of prayer, and then let’s not forget the importance of action. Oh yea, sorry. Did you think there was no other work involved in this? Sorry! 

On my current vision board there’s the word “MEET” under a picture of Oprah. I crossed that off last year after meeting her at the premiere of a Wrinkle in Time. But it wasn’t just a random occurrence. It was a bit of strategic planning, hard work, AND some help from the universe. I won’t go into the full story in this post, but my point is, the universe will help you, but you’ve gotta put in the work too.  Dreams don’t work unless you do.

I want to learn Spanish, but I’m not going to magically wake up one day knowing how to speak it fluently. My vision board gives me a daily reminder to open up my app, and practice, and bit by bit that becomes a reality. I think when you put in the work, you’ll get some help with the rest. 

And with that I wish you the best of luck as you set out to think about your big dreams and make them happen. 

Questions? Hit me up in the comments. I’m here and happy to help! 

Ready to take this on the road and make a bunch of vision board with friends? Be sure to read my post on How to Host a Vision Board Party. Want to get your family involved? Here’s my post on How to Make a Vision Board with Kids.

Tags: dream board, dreams, goal setting, goals, vision board