For years now, I've been hearing about the Law of Attraction, manifesting change, and visualizing the life you want. I love the phrase "Thoughts become Things," (though one time I thought that my checking account balance read $1,026,000.81, but then I realized it was only the aftereffects of removing my mascara with an oil-based makeup remover that was causing the illusion).
The vision board is one of the tools that all of these "If you build it, they will come" schools of thought have in common. A vision board is nothing more than a bulletin board or poster board filled with photos, drawings, and clippings of anything you'd like to have in your life. It's that simple.
The idea behind the vision board is that when you surround yourself with images of who you want to become, what you want to have, where you want to live, or where you want to vacation, your life changes to match those images and those desires.
But for all its simplicity, I have yet to create one myself. I've thought about it. I've planned it. I've made a mental list of all the things I have to do before I can get to it. I just haven't actually done it yet. But I'm going to change that, and I want you to do it with me. Let's embark on the vision quest together...
Here's what we'll need:
- A bulletin board or large poster board (I plan to use the bulletin board in my office that is now home to a dozen outdated, irrelevant pieces of paper and 3 photos from our trip to Punta Cana 3 years ago).
- A large stack of magazines -- all kinds, not just the ones you get from the mailbox and leave in a pile to collect dust.
- Scissors or one of those cool razor things people use to clip coupons
- Thumbtacks, glue or a stickermaker
- Flip through the magazines and cut out anything that feels good to you. I intend to start with a few nice, new issues of Town & Country and Entrepreneur.
- Sit with your pile of photos, headlines, and in some cases, cartoons, and just visualize. Think of yourself having that object, being in that place, or doing that thing that attracted you in the first place. If it continues to feel good, keep it. If not, you can discard it.
- Lay your items out on the board. Rearrange as necessary. Fill up the whole board or leave spaces to update as time goes by.
- Add personal items to your board if you wish: Write yourself a check for an amount you'd like to receive. Draw pictures of the things you want that you don't find in the magazines (your name on the cover of that new bestseller you just wrote). Include photos of yourself from a time that you particularly liked your "______" (weight, wardrobe, career, ).
- When your board is just right (or almost just right), go ahead and glue it down! Add writing if you want.
Types of Vision Boards
1 - The “I Know Exactly What I Want” Vision Board
Do this vision board if:
-you’re very clear about your desires.
-you want to change your environment or surroundings.
-there is a specific thing you want to manifest in your life (i.e. a new home or starting a business.)
How to create this vision board:
With your clear desire in mind, set out looking for the exact pictures which portray your vision. If you want a house by the water, then get out the Coastal Living magazine and start there. If you want to start your own business, find images that capture that idea for you. If you want to learn to play piano, then find that picture.
2 - The “Opening and Allowing” Vision Board
Do this vision board if:
-you’re not sure what exactly you want.
-you’ve been in a period of depression or grief.
-you have a vision of what you want, but are uncertain about it in some way.
-you know you want change but don’t know how it’s possible.
How to create this vision board:
Go through each magazine. Tear out images that delight you. Don’t ask why. Just keep going through the magazines. If it’s a picture of a teddy bear that makes you smile, then pull it out. If it’s a photo of a big country breakfast that does it for you, grab it. A marathoner winning a medal, go for it. I think you get the picture. Just have fun and be open to whatever calls to you. Then, as you go through the photos, be open to each of them but ask yourself what this picture might mean. What is it telling you about you? Does it mean you need to take more naps? Does it mean you want to get a dog, or stop hanging out with a particular person who drains you? Most likely you’ll know the answer. If you don’t, but you still love the image, then put it on your vision board anyway. It will have an answer for you soon enough.
The Opening and Allowing Vision Board can be a powerful guide. I think I like it better than the first type because sometimes our egos think they know what we want, and lots of times those desires aren’t in alignment with who we really are. This goes deeper than just getting what you want. It can speak to you and teach you a little bit about yourself and your passion.
Make a Vision Journal
Another option is to use these same principles in a big sketch book. Get a large sketch book and keep an on-going vision journal. This is especially effective if you’re going through many transitions in your life.
Are you ready to get started? I am... right now I'm visualizing a clean office. I wonder if I can find a photo of that in a magazine (and maybe have it blown up to lifesize proportions).
