How to design a vision board that actually works

How Vision Boards work

Vision boards are a visual representation of the goals, intentions, and prayers you are trying to accomplish. They help you see the things you are working towards daily, which helps motivate you to keep going when you may be feeling discouraged or unmotivated. They also help inspire you to work toward the goals that you want to accomplish. 

Sounds too good to be true? Well, there is one catch… 

Creating a vision board doesn’t magically mean that everything you put on it will come true…just because you put it on there. You still have to be intentional about what you put on your vision board and believe it will happen and that you can do it. But most importantly, at the end of the day, YOU have to do the work. 

Vision boards don’t work unless you do. 

Why it’s important to make a vision board

It is important to have a vision board because it allows you to visualize the goals and intentions that you have set for yourself. Having a visual reminder of the things that you want to accomplish and seeing your goals on a regular basis keeps your dreams and goals top of mind. It also helps you to focus on what it is that you want to accomplish in the time ahead.

How to design and make a vision board

Get clear on what you want – Set your intentions

Before you can make a vision board you have to know what you are trying to accomplish. Take the time to think about the things that you want to accomplish. Get really clear on what you want and write them down so you can reference them later. Taking the time to think through this now will make the vision board process so much easier.

If it helps, when thinking through the things that you want to accomplish, separate your goals list into categories. Some examples of categories include Personal, Spiritual, Financial, Business, and Love. Make as many categories as you want or just list them. 

Just don’t skip this step.

Decide if you want your vision board to be digital or physical

Physical vision boards allow you to get your hands dirty and get crafty. Digital vision boards let you use technology to create vision boards with just a click of the mouse or using an apple pencil/stylus. 

If you are going to make it physically and by hand, you need to plan to collect and cut up magazines, gather and print out images online, and grab some glue of your choice, a good pair of scissors, and poster boards or canvas to create your vision board with.

If you’re planning to go digital I recommend using software like Adobe Photoshop or InDesign, Canva or Procreate.

I have made both types over the years and, in my opinion, there is value in both styles of vision boards. Each time I make a new vision board I just go with how I’m feeling as to which route I take.

At the end of the day, you can’t go wrong with either approach, it all comes down to preference.

Pick your images, words/phrases

Start on Pinterest and create a secret board and just start pinning images that represent the goals and intentions you are trying to achieve. 

Give yourself time and don’t rush through this process because these are going to be the visual representations of your goals. 

You can also use magazines and cut them out and search the internet and print out images at home on your printer or compile them and take them to get printed at places like Walgreens, CVS, Target, or wherever you choose to get your photos printed. 

If you are making a digital vision board, be sure to download the images you pinned on Pinterest or saved online and save those images you found online to a folder on your computer or tablet so that you can access them easily.

Start arranging your images and words on your vision board

This is where the process gets really fun. You can get as crazy or as organized as you want. 

Some people like to be very organized when designing there’s and organize their vision board into categories and lump all category images and words together. 

Some people keep it really really minimal and have a few images on their board with a lot of “white space.” 

Some people (*raises hand*) typically take the mood board approach and design their vision board in a collage style. (*I think it’s the designer in me*)

Please hear me when I say this: There is no right or wrong way to arrange your vision board. Get creative, get messy, get digital…design it your way, your vision board is ultimately yours.

Put your board somewhere it can be seen

Put your board where you will see it. Every. Single. Day. Where should you put your vision board? 

• Computer desktop background at work and on your personal computer.
• Your phone background.
• Print copies to put on your fridge, mirror, or on your door. 
• In your office.
• In your closet.
• Hang it on your wall.

Wherever you choose to put it, with vision boards, seeing is believing. You have to see it so don’t be afraid to put it up where you see fit.

Take action on your vision

You’ve designed your vision board, admired your work, hung it up on your fridge, and now what do you do? 

Plain and simple…Do the work. 

A vision board is a tool to keep you focused and use it as a daily reminder. You still have to get up every day and make the decision to make your dreams happen. 

Now let’s go!

Vision Board Tips

• Check-in on your goals often. Make changes and updates as often and as little as you like (once a year, every 6 months, on your birthday…whatever floats your boat. Goals can change and evolve.
• Repeat the vision board making process as often as you like, most make one every year while some make them every month or every 6 months. There are no rules on when you can make a vision board. Do it whenever you want. You don’t even have to wait for the beginning of the year or a monumental occasion to make one. Do what works for you. Just make one, you’ll thank me later.
• Don’t forget to put words, phrases and quotes, on your board that mean something to you if that speaks to you. Words have power too and seeing them on your vision board daily can be a great incentive and inspiration for you to keep pushing when things get tough.
• Pick a word for the year that guides you. Some people pick a word for the year and use it to guide them through the year. This is completely up to you but it’s worth a try if you feel called to do so.
• You don’t have to finish your vision board in one day. If you feel called to let it marinate for a day or two, then let it marinate. A vision board is meant to inspire you so don’t force it.