How to Make a Vision Board and Manifest Your Dream Life
Do you need to increase motivation or find a bit of direction for your life? Creating a vision board with images that inspire you can help you focus on what’s important and visualize the future you want. A vision board, also called a dream board, is a collage of images, pictures, and affirmations that represent your dreams, goals, and desires. It’s a visual representation or roadmap of how you envision your best life.
What is a Vision Board?
Vision boards are collections of images, drawings, and other visuals arranged together to represent your goals and ambitions. Each one is an inspiration board that can help clarify your aspirations so you can manifest your vision. Also called a goal board or dream board, this collection of images can be physical or digital. Vision boards are highly versatile tools. You can use them as a manifestation method for your personal goals or professional goals.
How to Use a Vision Board
Vision boards focus on creating a visual representation of a personal vision statement. They’re perfect for helping you imagine the specifics of your life. How far ahead your vision board should look is up to you. You can create a vision board for the year ahead or one that considers long-term goals like your 5-year plan. If you have time, why not create a vision board for each phase of your life plan? People who use vision boards usually place them where they’ll see them often. For instance, you can put a vision board on your mirror to refocus on your goals while you get ready in the morning. Or, you might choose to hang it in a room where you often relax to read or journal.
Do Vision Boards Work?
If you’re skeptical about whether staring at a piece of poster board will do anything, we get it. However, the idea behind vision boards is rooted in visualization and the law of attraction. It suggests that by regularly viewing and engaging with visual representations of your goals, you can better align your thoughts and actions toward achieving them. By placing the vision board in a prominent location and reviewing it frequently, you can reinforce your goals in your subconscious. This potentially can increase your motivation and awareness of opportunities. It’s all about having a reminder front and center in your everyday life. This isn’t magic, though. It still includes hard work, commitment to goal setting, and the creation of good habits.
What to Include in Your Vision Board
Creating a vision board representing your ideal life can be overwhelming at first. There are so many possibilities that it may take time to decide what to include. Do some inner work and think deeply about what you want your vision board to be. Considering some examples can narrow your focus and help you decide how to begin. Some vision board ideas include:
- Your dream job
- Financial goals, including a house or retirement fund
- Relationships you’d like to cultivate
- Pictures of places you’d like to travel
- Health goals
- Mental or spiritual growth you’d like to achieve
- Certifications or awards
- Clippings from newspapers
- Positive personality traits you want to exhibit
- Creative projects
- Skills to learn
- Hobbies and passions
- Community involvement
- Lifestyle changes
- Personal style and fashion
- Home and living environment
- Adventure and experiences you want to have
- Mindfulness and emotional goals
- Environmental goals
How to Create Your Vision Board
Vision board creation can be fun and easy. You don’t need to overthink the process. Engage with your creativity to build your dream board. Your vision board is totally personal to you, so don’t worry about defending yourself or impressing anyone. To create a physical vision board that you can hang anywhere in your home or office, try following these steps:
- Take some time to clarify your vision and intention
- Gather your materials, like images and art supplies
- Find images and words that represent your vision
- Arrange your materials, such as poster board
- Place your vision board where you’ll see it often, even if it’s an online vision board
Step 1: Clarify Your Vision
A vision board requires you to reflect on your desires and aspirations. Before starting your vision board work, clarify your goals. What do you want to manifest with your vision board? Get as clear as you can about your personal vision. Don’t rush this step, as it’s the foundation for your entire vision board.
Step 2: Decide on a Medium
There are several mediums you can choose from when creating a vision board. Here are some popular options:
- Physical board: foam board, poster board, or cardboard
- Digital vision board: PowerPoint, Google Slides, Canva, or other design software
- Journal or binder: scrapbook, blank notebook, or 3-ring binder with page protectors
- Photo album or box: physical photo album or decorative box
Step 3: Gather Your Materials
Once you’ve decided on the base and format, you’ll need images or items to add to the inspiration board. Your images can come from a variety of sources, including:
- Old magazines and catalogs
- Digital images
- Photos from your personal collection
- Postcards
- Create your Pinterest board
- Stickers, sketches, and other elements
Step 4: Arrange and Place Your Materials
Now, it’s time to arrange everything you’ve prepared on your vision board. Lay out magazine images from your collection, writing utensils, and anything else you plan on using. Here are some tips for arranging images in an effective and visually appealing vision board:
- Use a grid or section off your board into categories
- Arrange images more randomly for an artistic, free-flowing look
- Start with a central image that represents a key aspect of your vision
- Leave some blank space to avoid clutter
- Prioritize your most important, inspiring images
- Create a cohesive color palette
- Include textures and layers
Step 5: Place Your Vision Board
It’s finally time to place your vision board. A key part of your vision board’s value is looking to it for continued inspiration. When it comes to placement, choose a location where you can access it daily. Some suggestions include:
- Your fridge
- An empty wall in your kitchen
- An altar
- A mirror
- Your nightstand
- In your work-from-home office
- The back of your front door
- Across from your bed
Step 6: Continually Update Your Vision Board
Your vision board should evolve as your goals change. Regularly replace old images with new ones representing your latest dreams. When you achieve a goal, celebrate by moving that image to a victory board or scrapbook. Continuously add fresh visuals and words inspiring you toward your next ambitions.
Step 7: Share Your Vision Board
Whether you’re using a poster board or a digital vision board, you don’t need to broadcast it on social media or share it with your entire family. Instead, consider sharing it with a few select individuals, such as a roommate or partner.
Step 8: Be Okay with Starting from Scratch
Goals change, life changes, and even your definition of success will evolve over the years. Because of this, sometimes you need to start fresh and create something from scratch. Maybe you’ve just done some inner work and taken the time to reflect on how far you’ve come. But perhaps in doing so, you’ve realized you’re ready to head in a different direction.
Backed by Science: Why Do Vision Boards Work?
In a 2024 study, researchers at the Journal of Research in Personality found that visions inspire and create positive emotions. They create positivity because they make you believe your dreams are within reach. By putting your goals on something you see daily, you can focus on what matters. Vision boards are just one type of visualization technique. Such techniques work by cementing an image in your mind until you believe it’s possible.
Using a Vision Board to Manifest Your Dream Life
Manifestation is the act of bringing something into reality through visualization. There are plenty of things to manifest in your life and goals to work towards, whether it’s getting the job of your dreams or making friends. Manifesting something is just placing your focus and energy into that area of your life. When you make a vision board, you’re welcoming a path for your future. You’re saying yes to the possibility of getting what you want. Working with a coach can help you achieve the dreams you’ve outlined on your vision board.
Growth doesn’t happen by accident. Coaching helps you build habits, confidence, and clarity so you can become the version of yourself you know you’re capable of being.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a vision board?
A vision board is a visual representation of your goals, desires, and aspirations, created using images, words, and other materials to inspire and focus your mind.
How do I create a vision board?
To create a vision board, clarify your vision, choose a medium, gather materials, arrange them in a visually appealing way, and place the board in a location where you’ll see it often.
What should I include in my vision board?
You can include images and words that represent your personal and professional goals, such as dream job, financial goals, relationships, travel destinations, health goals, and more.
Where should I place my vision board?
You can place your vision board in a location where you’ll see it daily, such as on your fridge, wall, mirror, or nightstand.
How often should I update my vision board?
You should regularly update your vision board to reflect changes in your goals and aspirations, and to keep it inspiring and motivating.
Do vision boards really work?
Yes, vision boards can be an effective tool for manifesting your goals and desires by focusing your mind and inspiring positive emotions.
Can I share my vision board with others?
You can share your vision board with select individuals, such as a partner or friend, but it’s not necessary to share it with everyone.
What if my goals change?
If your goals change, you can update your vision board or create a new one to reflect your new aspirations.
