How to Make a Vision Board: Step-by-Step Guide

Are you ready to unlock the incredible potential of a vision board?

I made a vision board when I was 25, and nearly EVERYTHING on that board became true in my life!

I wish I had an image of that original board, but since I can’t find one I can tell you that going to Paris, the image of my car, and the thriving business that I had on it all has become a reality.

In this post, we’ll explore the concept of vision boards and show you how to create one that aligns with your dreams and aspirations.

With a few simple steps, you can have an inspiration board that both looks amazing AND helps you visualize your best life.

What Is a Vision Board?

A vision board is a visualization tool that combines images, words, and affirmations to help individuals manifest their goals and dreams.

By combining images, words, and affirmations that represent what you want to achieve, a vision board serves as a constant reminder of what’s important to you.

A vision board is typically made on a corkboard or poster board. (I have this one.)

Understanding how a vision board works is a game-changer for your entire life.

How Does a Vision Board Work?

The magic lies in the process of visualization.

When you focus on your goals through visual representations, it activates the reticular activating system (RAS) in your brain.

This filtering mechanism helps you stay focused on what truly matters, while filtering out distractions. By keeping visual reminders of your aspirations, your subconscious mind stays aligned with your goals.

Vision boards work because what you focus on expands.

Why Visualization is So Powerful for Your Brain?

Visualization isn’t about simply placing images on a board to “manifest” what you want or relying solely on “the law of attraction.” It taps into the power of your brain.

Your reticular activating system (RAS) acts as the filtering station of your brain. Constantly seeing the images on your vision board helps your brain filter out distractions while focusing on what truly matters to you. By keeping visual reminders of your goals, your subconscious mind stays aligned with your aspirations.

When you create a vision board and place it where you can see it every day, you naturally engage in short visualization and goal-setting exercises throughout the day. It becomes second nature, and you may not even realize you’re doing it.

Remember, what you focus on expands. So having a vision board allows you to visually connect with your goals and develop a mindset that propels you towards them.

The goals of a vision board are multifaceted.

First and foremost, it provides motivation. By looking at what you want every day, you gently push yourself forward to create the life you desire. Vision boards also help declare your intentions, which is incredibly powerful in bringing your goals and dreams to fruition. Additionally, they offer inspiration by reigniting your passion when daily life gets in the way. And lastly, vision boards foster clarity by helping you dig deep and understand yourself better.

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s dive into how to create your own vision board.

Steps to Make Your Vision Board

The one major rule of creating a vision board is that there are no rules! This should be a fun and creative time for you to focus on your greatest ambitions.

What should I put on my vision board? Your board should include anything that inspires and motivates you. It should be a visual representation of how you want your life to look. The purpose of your board is to bring everything on it to life.

Crafting Your Own Vision Board

1. Prepare Your Space: Find a quiet area where you can concentrate without interruptions.
2. Reflect on Your Goals: Take some time for self-reflection and identify what you truly desire in different areas of your life. Check out the 10-Minute Visualization below if you need assistance with this.
3. Gather Inspiration: Collect magazines, photographs, quotes, or any other materials that resonate with your goals.
   • You’ll also want to grab a corkboard or poster board to use as the base of your vision board. If you’re not ready to invest in a corkboard, an inexpensive sheet of poster board or even a big piece of cardboard works.
   • Here’s my list of fun stuff if you want to buy a new board or fun supplies. You can also make yoru own or cut inspiration out of magazines.
4. Create Your Layout: Experiment with different arrangements before committing to one that feels visually appealing and inspiring.
5. Assemble Your Vision Board: Glue or pin down the chosen elements onto a corkboard or poster board.
6. Find the Perfect Spot: Display your vision board in a place where you’ll see it every day, such as your bedroom or office.
7. Engage with Your Vision Board: Regularly spend time visualizing your goals and dreams while looking at your vision board. Let the images and words inspire you to take action towards achieving them.

Think of your vision board as a living thing! You can always adjust it. Nothing is set in stone. You can change what’s on your vision board as you change.

Exercise: Do a 10-Minute Visualization

If you need to get your inspiration flowing, try this short visualization exercise:

Take some time to clear your thoughts in a quiet space and set some soothing music. This should be a calming and meditative experience. You can take as little as 5-10 minutes or as long as you need to do this.

1. Grab a pen and paper.
2. Take a few deep breaths to calm your mind. Take as long as you need to feel calm and clear.
3. Ask yourself:
   1. What do I want my life to look like?
   2. What do I want my home to look like?
   3. What do I want my food and nutrition to look like?
   4. What do I want to do MORE of in my life?
   5. What physical things do I want to bring into my life?
   6. How do I want to FEEL every day?
   7. What words, phrases or quotes make me feel good?
   8. What financial and career goals do I want to meet in the next year?
   9. What major purchases do I want to save for?
   10. What is my dream travel destination in the next year?
4. Write down what comes to mind. If a question doesn’t resonate with you then simply skip it. Add whatever is relevant to you that may not be listed here. You can keep a journal on your nightstand and so this over the course of a few days if you need time to write.

I have found that the secret to making a great inspiration board is by handwriting your goals down. There’s something energetic about actually handwriting your goals. From your goals and aspirations, think about what you want on your vision board.

You’ll be amazed at how things just start popping up all over the place once you set the intention for what you want and how you want to feel.

Ideas to Put on Your Vision Board

Although you can purchase a vision board kit, I think it is special to create your own vision board. Creating your own will motivate you to actually follow through and start dreaming up more goals.

It should include anything that inspires you. This can consist of many things such as pictures, favorite quotes, memories/memorabilia, postcards or cards, and more. I love looking at Pinterest for inspiration on vision board ideas and vision board examples.

1. Magazine Images: Magazine cutouts that represent how you want to feel, where you want to travel or any material objects that you desire are perfect for adding to your board. These can be from any magazine, such as fashion magazines, lifestyle magazines, and travel magazines. Simply cut out your favorite picture(s) and attach them to your board with glue or pushpins.
2. Photographs: This can include images you see online, or photos that you already have that represent what you want more of in your life. Use any images that represent what you want your life to look like.
3. Inspirational & Motivational Quotes: I love finding inspirational quotes to use on a vision board. Try using books, movies, and Pinterest as a start to finding inspirational quotes.
4. Affirmations: An affirmation is an act of confirming something to be true. Affirmations are in the present tense and declare what you want. For example, an affirmation can be “I am abundant,” or “I am healthy and free.” You can hand-write affirmations or print them out. Find more here.
5. Spiritual or Quote Cards: You can find fun decks of cards with angels, quotes or spirituality-related phrases on Amazon or in most bookstores. If one resonates with you, use it.

Can I make a digital vision board? Yes! If you’re short on space or need to start right away, you can use a tool like Canva (an online editing software) to make a digital board that you can make your computer wallpaper or print out.

I personally do think it’s best to make a physical vision board, but if you’re short on time or supplies a digital one can be a great option.

Why Vision Boards are Effective

1. Visualization and Focus: By consistently visualizing your goals, you keep them at the forefront of your mind, enhancing focus and motivation.
2. Declaring Intentions: It serves as a powerful declaration of what you want to manifest in your life, sending a clear message to the universe.
3. Inspiration and Passion: When daily life gets overwhelming, your vision board reignites your passion and reminds you why you’re working towards these goals.
4. Clarity and Self-Discovery: The process of creating a daily visualization helps you gain clarity on what truly matters to you, leading to self-discovery and personal growth.

Creating a vision board is an empowering way to bring your dreams into reality. Follow our step-by-step guide and unlock the potential within yourself. Start visualizing, believing, and taking inspired action toward the life you’ve always envisioned.

Now, go hang it up in a place where you’ll see it each day!

This is simply one more tool in your toolbox to improve your mindset and improve your self-awareness.

Vision Board FAQ’s

Should I have one vision board or make multiple for different areas of my life?

I like to have one central board that I look at every day in my home office. I also have a few small ones that I’ve made at retreats that I keep around.

It’s totally up to you. What makes the most sense in your life?

Each area of our lives affects the other, so starting with one central board usually makes sense.

Theme boards that center on specific events or areas of your life are great, too. For instance, a wedding day-specific will help you focus on how you want to feel on your big day. A career-specific board at your desk space can help you work towards a promotion or raise.

How often should I redo my vision board?

Whenever it feels right. I often leave blank space on my board to accept new things as they appear in my life and add and rearrange during the year when I feel it. You’ll just know.

Every December, I give the board a total refresh to get clear about what I want in the new year. Some things stay, and some have served their purpose and don’t make the cut.

Have You Made a Vision Board Yet? I absolutely love my vision board, and I hope you will love yours as well. If you have a great story about a vision board, put it in the comments section below to inspire other readers.