Vision Board: Toolkit for Attracting Abundance & Supercharging Your Life

Learn how a vision board serves as a powerful tool for crafting your dream life and attracting abundance into reality!

Have you ever dreamt of achieving big goals – but felt stuck on how to get there? A vision board might just be the secret weapon you need! This powerful tool transcends wishful thinking by tapping into the Law of Attraction, transforming your desires into a tangible roadmap for success. The article below explores how to utilize it to bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be.

Highlights

• A vision board is a collage of images and words that help you internalize and achieve what you want in life. By giving your goals a powerful visual form, it serves as a potent tool for boosting motivation, focusing your desires, and attracting positivity. Daily exposure to it feeds your subconscious mind and nudges you towards actions that align with the future you envision for yourself.
• Crafting a vision board involves self-reflection, inspiration gathering, personalization, intentional design, and goal alignment. During this process, you will need to follow steps such as listing down objectives, finding inspiration, choosing evocative images, etc.
• To maximize the power of your vision board, revisit it nightly, celebrate milestones visually, set deadlines, and update it regularly to reflect your evolving goals.

What is a Vision Board?

A vision board, also known as a dream board, is a tangible representation of your aspirations and ambitions. It’s a visual collage of images, words, and sometimes even objects – curated to help you harness the power of visualization in the process of manifesting your desires.

Vision boards come in various forms, ranging from pre-designed models available in stores/ online to DIY versions crafted from simple materials like corkboards or poster boards. Regardless of the medium, their functions remain the same:

• Clarifying and reminding of your intentions.
• Providing a dedicated space to focus energy on what you want to attract in life (using the Law of Attraction).
• Reinforcing motivation and commitment to your goals by keeping them visually present.
• Aligning the subconscious mind with your deepest desires.
• etc.

Vision boards are not just about attracting material possessions; they can represent anything you want in life, such as good health, strong relationships, or personal growth.

Benefits of Having a Vision Board

A picture is worth a thousand words.

While seemingly simple, a vision board is one of the most potent tools for manifesting aspirations. It offers a tangible, captivating depiction of your envisioned future – a beacon illuminating the path toward where you want to be.

• Enhanced motivation & clarity

Our minds possess an inherent affinity for visual stimuli, which is the cause behind our tendency to respond with heightened emotion when presented with vivid imagery. Translating abstract goals/ ideas into concrete images is an amazing way to evoke the emotional response that fuels determination. For example, seeing a picture of your dream house or ideal career can spark feelings of excitement that propel you to take decisive actions later.

At the same time, visualizing your goals also makes it easier for you to gain clarity into what you truly desire; as such, you become better equipped to focus your efforts/ resources toward achieving them.

• Attracting positivity

The Law of Attraction states that positive thoughts attract positive experiences. A vision board serves as a constant reminder of your desired outcomes; hence, it helps reinforce positive thinking and increase the chances of those goals manifesting in reality.

• Promoting personal growth & accountability

Seeing your goals in a visual form – on a daily basis – keeps you focused and reminds you of the commitments you have made to yourself. This ongoing engagement lays the foundation for personal growth and empowers you to take charge of your own destiny.

A vision board can help you create the life you want and give you the motivation and inspiration you need to achieve your goals.

Jack Canfield

Vision Board’s Role in Goal Setting

Everything you can imagine is real.

Pablo Picasso

Placing your vision board in a prominent location allows you to passively absorb the images and their messages daily. Consistent exposure activates the subconscious mind, which plays a crucial role in processing information and shaping behavior. By priming your subconscious with your goals, you increase the chances of identifying opportunities and resources that align with them.

At the same time, the process also serves as a catalyst for harnessing the Law of Attraction, which states that the energy you emit – through thoughts, beliefs, and emotions – draws corresponding experiences and opportunities into your life. By vividly envisioning your desired outcomes, you amplify the magnetic pull toward the people, resources, and circumstances conducive to realizing success.

As you immerse yourself in regular visualization, you naturally gravitate towards actions that align with your aspirations. These may include:

• Volunteering to take on additional responsibilities at work.
• Contributing ideas and insights during meetings.
• Being willing to seek assistance when needed.
• Embracing calculated risks in both personal and professional spheres.
• Viewing challenges as opportunities for growth and expansion rather than obstacles to be avoided.
• etc.

Whatever goal you give to your subconscious mind, it will work night and day to achieve.

Jack Canfield

How to Make a Vision Board

Inner exploration

Crafting a vision board is more than just slapping pretty pictures on a board. It requires you to embark on a journey of inner exploration – so as to bring your deepest desires to the surface.

Self-questioning is crucial to identifying the elements that resonate most with your vision for the future. For instance, you can yourself questions such as:

• What kind of experiences do you crave?

Example:

Imagine yourself feeling the thrill of conquering a mountain peak. Look for pictures of breathtaking landscapes, triumphant hikers, or even inspirational quotes about overcoming challenges. This represents your craving for adventure and accomplishment.

• What emotions do you want to cultivate?

Example:

Maybe you yearn for a life filled with peace and serenity. In this case, look for images of tranquil beaches, serene meditation practices, or quotes about inner peace.

• What assets do you desire to attract?

Example:

Perhaps financial security is a major goal. Consider finding images of a comfortable home, a stable income graph, or quotes about abundance.

Gather inspiration

Look for images, words, and other materials that spark a positive reaction within you and connect to your goals. Don’t get obsessed with finding perfect aesthetics – rather, prioritize things that resonate with your gut instinct.

Flip through lifestyle magazines, travel brochures, or any publications that inspire you. Tear out pictures of places you’d love to visit, clothes you want in your wardrobe, or anything that embodies the life you envision. Or, you can search online for images with keywords related to your goals. For example, if you want to travel to Italy, look for pictures of Italian landscapes, charming cafes, or historical landmarks.

It’s not a bad idea to include photos of yourself achieving smaller goals or spending time doing things you love – as it adds a personal touch and reinforces the idea that these dreams are attainable. Have you ever drawn your dream house as a child? Maybe you wrote a motivational quote that resonates with you. Include them too!

Above all, trust your intuition during the selection process. Pay attention to how you feel when looking at something. Does a picture make you smile? Does a quote resonate deeply with you? These are strong indicators that the element aligns with your goals and should go on your vision board!

Personalize your board

Weave your own energy and intentions into the board! Find a picture where you look and feel happy, successful, and radiating positive vibes. This reinforces the idea that you are the driver of your dreams – and that achieving them is possible! In addition, add positive affirmations that you constantly repeat to yourself to challenge negative thoughts and cultivate belief in yourself. Quotes from inspiring figures serve as powerful motivators too!

Example:

Affirmation: “I am strong, capable, and achieving my dreams.”

Quote: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

Consider embedding personal reflections – little bits of writing that come straight from your heart. They could be things you’re grateful for, milestones you’ve already achieved, or how you see yourself in the future when your goals are realized. For instance:

• “I’m so grateful for my supportive family and friends.”
• “I’ve already trained for a 5K, a half marathon is next!”
• “In five years, I see myself running across the finish line of the Olympic Marathon!”

By incorporating these personal elements, you’re creating a vision board that’s unique to you and sparks a powerful emotional connection to your goals. Every time you look at it, you’ll be reminded of your intentions and fueled by the belief that you are perfectly capable of bringing them into reality!

Design with intention

Less is more.

Every element on your vision board should be a stepping stone toward what you desire. Hence, do not add things that are “kind of cool” but don’t truly resonate with your aspirations. A cluttered board will only make it difficult to stay focused.

Now let us go over the above point in more detail:

Scenario 1: Focused board

Let’s say you’re passionate about starting your own bakery. In this case, your vision board might include:

• A picture of a charming bakery storefront.
• Images of delicious pastries and cakes.
• Photos of happy customers enjoying baked goods.
• A quote from a famous baker about the joy of baking.
• The words “Open by [Target Date]” written prominently.

Scenario 2: Unfocused board

• A picture of a delicious cake (relevant to your bakery dream).
• A random picture of a sports car (not directly related).
• A travel photo from a recent trip (distracting from the bakery theme).

As you can see, it’s better to have a few powerful images and words that resonate deeply with you than a cluttered board that dilutes the message. Additionally, arrange the elements on your board in a way that guides the eye and highlights the most important goals. You can use larger images for central themes and smaller ones for supporting elements.

Tailor to your goals

A vision board’s beauty lies in its flexibility to be tailored to one’s specific objectives. You can go for either of these two options:

• One that encompasses all

This is a great option if you have a clear vision for multiple areas of life and want a holistic representation of your aspirations. You can use sections or color-coding to differentiate between different areas like career, relationships, health, etc.

For example, let’s say you would like to improve your health, career, and travel experiences. Your board might include:

-A picture of a yoga studio for your health goals.

-An image representing your dream job title for your career aspirations.

-A photo of a breathtaking landscape for your travel desires.

• Separate boards

If you have a lot of goals in a specific area, or if you find it hard to choose visuals that resonate across all domains of life, let’s just split them into multiple boards. This way, you may become better equipped to focus on the specific elements that inspire you for each category.

No matter which approach appeals to you more, the key to making your vision board work is consistent interaction. Place it somewhere you’ll see it every day, like your bedroom or office. Spend a few minutes each day visualizing yourself achieving the goals mapped out – trying to feel the emotions associated with success and allow them to motivate you. As you make progress/ hit specific milestones, update it accordingly to keep it relevant and inspiring!

Read more: Ikigai (生き甲斐) – The Blueprint for a Purposeful & Fulfilling Life

6 Steps to Creating a Vision Board

1. Make a list of goals

First, brainstorm and define your goals for the upcoming 12 months. Grab a pen and paper (or your favorite note-taking app) and unleash your inner dreamer! Write down anything and everything you desire. Want to travel to Italy? Learn to play the guitar? Write a novel? Jot it all down!

Once you have compiled a massive list, take a step back and analyze it. Are there any recurring themes or patterns? Perhaps you notice several travel-related goals or a strong focus on personal growth. Group similar ones together and start to refine them. For example, instead of something generic like “travel more,” turn it into a S.M.A.R.T one like “Save $3,000 for a two-week trip to Italy by September.”

2. Find inspiration in the old

Old books and newspapers are great sources of visual inspiration for your vision board. Search your bookshelf for travel brochures, old National Geographics, classic novels with inspiring settings, or art books that resonate with your style. Or, you can pay a visit to thrift stores/ vintage shops to look for travel posters, postcards with dream destinations, advertisements featuring successful people in your desired field, or illustrations that capture your ideal lifestyle.

Examples:

3. Choose images with emotion

Let’s say your goal is to travel more. Instead of just finding a picture of the Eiffel Tower (been there, done that!), look for images that evoke the feeling of travel. This could be a picture of a breathtaking mountain range, a vibrant street scene in a foreign city, or even a vintage suitcase overflowing with travel essentials.

Another example: your objective might be to attain a work-life balance. Forget the stock photos of a person lounging on a beach with a laptop. Instead, find one that embodies tranquility and peace. This could be a picture of someone reading a book in a quiet forest, a calming ocean view, or even a steaming cup of tea next to a window overlooking a city skyline.

4. Put them all together

Now that you have your brainstormed goals and a collection of inspiring visuals, it’s time to create your masterpiece! In terms of your canvas, there are quite a few options to choose from:

• Classic corkboard: A traditional and versatile option. You can easily rearrange and add elements as your goals evolve.
• Poster board: A great budget-friendly choice. You can paint or decorate the board beforehand to personalize it further.
• Digital board: Online platforms like Canva or Pinterest may be leveraged to create a digital vision board that is easy to edit and share.

Choose a color palette that reflects your personal style and the overall mood you want to embed in your dream board. Experiment with different layouts until you find something that feels balanced and visually pleasing to you.

Example:

Goal: Write a novel (Image: Vintage typewriter) + Goal: Develop a strong work ethic (Image: Mountain climber) = Arrange these images side-by-side to represent the journey of writing a novel, requiring both inspiration and perseverance.

5. Speak it into existence

Incorporate positive affirmations that fuel your motivation and shift your mindset toward success. You can search for ideas in books, magazines, online quotes – or even write your own mantras that resonate with you personally.

Instead of just listing goals like “get a promotion” or “lose weight,” think about the feelings you associate with those targets. Maybe you want to feel “confident” or “energetic.” Additionally, brainstorm words that describe how you want to feel each day. Do you want to feel “grateful,” “successful,” or “at peace?”

Examples:

• Goal: Travel more (Feeling: Free) – Affirmation: “I am free to explore the world.” (written in a flowing script next to a picture of a hot air balloon)
• Goal: Write a novel (Feeling: Inspired) – Affirmation: “My creativity flows freely.” (handwritten on a vintage typewriter cutout)

It is recommended that you handwrite your affirmations for a personal touch. Use pre-made affirmation stickers or decorative washi tape to add a pop of style – and feel free to explore different fonts, sizes, and colors to make them visually interesting!

6. Make it a daily ritual

Your vision board isn’t just a pretty collage; it’s a powerful tool for manifesting your dreams! Hence, place it somewhere you’ll see it often – be it your bedroom wall, bathroom mirror, or even your cubicle at work. If you decide to go digital with a vision board app, make it your phone’s wallpaper or screensaver.

Start your day by spending a few minutes reflecting on your vision board. Let the images and affirmations energize you for the day ahead. And then before bed, take a moment to reflect on your progress toward your goals and visualize yourself achieving them.

The more engagement you have, the more things will become ingrained in your subconscious mind – and the more likely your positive statements are to become reality!

Tips for Using a Vision Board

• Evening visualization

Our subconscious mind is most receptive to information right before sleep. As such, revisiting your vision board every night is a great way to re-program the subconscious and align it with your goals and desires.

Dim the lights in your room and build up a calming atmosphere. You may light some candles, play soothing music, or use calming scents like lavender. These help signal to the body and mind that it’s time to wind down.

• Celebrate milestones

Celebrating achievements reinforces the positive energy surrounding your goals. By acknowledging your progress, you send a powerful message to the subconscious that you are capable of attracting what you desire. On top of that, the practice also plays a key role in fostering gratitude – it reminds you of the good things you’ve manifested in your life, which attracts even more positivity into life.

Use a highlighter or marker to visually distinguish achieved targets. You can circle them, draw stars, or use a different color to make them stand out. Additionally, feel free to embed a sense of personalization by adding stickers, glitter, or small decorative items to completed goals.

• Incorporate specific dates and times

Dates and times create clarity around your goals. They take your aspirations from a general wish to a concrete target, making them more tangible and achievable. At the same time, assigning deadlines also gives rise to a sense of urgency. Seeing something like “Dream Vacation: Maldives – July 15th, 2025” should motivate you to take action steps like saving money or booking flights.

Aside from deadlines for achieving your goals, consider including specific dates for taking action steps toward them. This could be the date you start a training program/ submit a job application/ launch a marketing campaign.

All in all, make sure to be flexible. Adjust your timeline as needed, while always reminding yourself to avoid setting unrealistic deadlines that could lead to discouragement.

• Renew and reflect

We all experience change over time. Our goals, aspirations, and priorities naturally evolve as we learn new things and gain new experiences. As such, your vision board should constantly be updated to reflect who you are now!

Consider working on a new vision board every year, perhaps around New Year’s or your birthday, to mark a fresh start. You could also do minor refreshes seasonally to reflect changing priorities or incorporate new aspirations that arise throughout the year. During renewal, set aside time to reflect on your progress, identify new goals, and adjust your vision accordingly.

Read more: 55 Daily Life Hacks for Every Area

Vision Board Apps

There are many great vision board apps available, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Here are a few of the most popular options for you to consider:

• Canva: A free graphic design platform that also has a great vision board maker, Canva offers a wide variety of templates and design elements to help you create a beautiful and inspiring dream board. You can also upload your own photos and images for better customization.
• Visuapp: The app’s simplicity makes it perfect for those who would like a more straightforward experience. It allows you to upload images from your phone, take photos, or search online for images.
• Vision Board & Goal Tracker: A free option great for those who would like to have an aesthetically pleasing board. The app comes with a variety of pre-made templates – as well as the function to add text and inspirational quotes.
• Shuffles by Pinterest: Shuffles is a new app by Pinterest that allows users to create and share collages with their friends. With it, you can visually brainstorm ideas and create mood boards using photos and videos from either your own Pinterest library or the Internet. Additionally, Shuffles also has a social component, so you can follow your friends and see what they’re creating.
• Milanote: A visual note-taking app that can also be leveraged for the creation of vision boards, Milanote is known for its organizational capabilities; as such, it is a worthy option for those who would like to better keep track of their ideas.

Final Thoughts

The key to manifesting dreams is to believe. By working on and actively engaging with your vision board, you strengthen the neural pathways associated with your goals – which, in turn, fuels your focus and propels you toward achieving what you desire. So, unleash your creativity, embrace the power of visualization, and watch as your vision board becomes the roadmap to a better you in the future!

Other resources you might be interested in:

• Self Discovery: An Expedition to the Core
• Healing Your Inner Child: A 15-step Guide
• 250 Bucket List Ideas for Living Your Best Life
• 28 Motivational Success Stories in Real Life
• 200 Self-reflection Questions: Toolkit for Life Pilgrims