A vision board is made up of pictures, photos, dream and goal affirmations, and happy things. A vision board can also be called a dream board, treasure map, or vision map which serves as a means to describe your goals and become a source of motivation to achieve your dreams.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Getting Ready
Step 1. Think about your goals
Many people don't yet have a clear idea of what they want in life, what their purpose in life is, and what makes them happy. In addition, when asked what their understanding of the good life was, they had difficulty finding specific answers. To ensure that we are walking in the right direction and will not regret when we look back on our life journey, it's a good idea to take the time to define your goals and goals in as much detail as possible. After that, make a plan with concrete steps to achieve it. Creating a vision board can be a great way to do this important task.
Step 2. Answer some of the big questions
Before you start creating a vision board, consider the following questions:
- What does the good life mean to you?
- What makes this life worthwhile or worth living?
- When your body lies in a coffin, what do you still want to achieve?
Step 3. Reiterate the big question
So that you can answer the big question above (which may be very difficult!), break it down into smaller questions:
- What activity would you like to learn about?
- What hobbies and activities are you already running, but would you like to continue or improve?
- What are your goals in your career? What do you have to do to get the job you want? (For example, do you have to earn a certain degree or do you have to do an internship first?)
- What do you want from a relationship? Don't just think about planning a wedding, being in a long-term relationship, or having children, but think specifically about what kind of person is right for you, how to spend time with your partner, etc.
- Do you want to be a person who will always be remembered? For example, do you want to become a famous novelist? Do you want to lead a charitable organization that makes a positive impact on the lives of others?
Step 4. Determine the theme of your vision board
Based on what's revealed after you've completed the steps above, begin to determine what your vision board will focus on. Don't limit yourself to one vision board to reflect on all your dreams. Create several vision boards with different focuses as you see fit.
- You can create a vision board that focuses on a specific goal. For example, if you want to go on vacation next year, design a vision board with the theme “Bali Island”.
- In addition, you can create a vision board with a common theme. Maybe you decide you want to be someone who will be remembered as a friendly and generous person. For that, make a vision board with the theme using photos of inspiring role models.
Part 2 of 3: Creating a Vision Board
Step 1. Determine the format of your vision board
After selecting a theme, you need to define its format. Many people make vision boards from plywood, manila cardboard, cardboard sheets, or other materials that can be hung or hung on the wall. In an upright position, you can look at this vision board regularly and meditate on it every day.
- However, you are free to create a vision board in a different style. Maybe you prefer an electronic vision board, creating a website or blog, using the Pinterest site, or assembling pictures and affirmation sentences using a computer.
- Choose the format that you like the most so that you really enjoy viewing it and that you can update regularly.
Step 2. Collect inspirational pictures for your vision board
Start looking for positive pictures that relate to your chosen theme on the internet, magazines, and photo collections. Don't forget to open old albums, postcard collections, newspaper clippings, labels, etc.
- When choosing images, choose carefully to make sure you have checked all the images carefully.
- For example, if you want to study at your dream campus, make sure you have a photo of the campus on your vision board, but choose a photo taken in the setting you like best or when students are doing your favorite activity.
Step 3. Collect inspirational words
Make a vision board that is easy to see and include pictures that are interesting and help you focus. However, don't forget to decorate your vision board with inspirational sentences or affirmations.
- Affirmations are positive statements or sentences to yourself that you can repeat over and over as a mantra. You can say affirmations with sentences that you compose yourself or look for examples of affirmations on the internet, buy inspirational books at the nearest bookstore, or borrow books at the library.
- Direct your dreams to focus on positive things. For example, if you want to be selected as the main violinist for an orchestra performance, but you haven't been able to practice every day, forget about a new year's resolution to achieve that dream. Do not make affirmations with the sentence: "I will not stop practicing if it's only a month like I used to do." Affirmations like this only emphasize your weakness so far and have a negative tone.
- Instead, choose the sentence: “I will fill my house with beautiful music every day.” This statement is much more positive and makes you more likely to practice. So, don't make affirmative sentences/statements about the condition you want to avoid.
Step 4. Finish your vision board
Once you've selected your inspirational pictures and phrases, get creative by putting together everything you've collected. You are free to design by looking at examples on the internet, but don't copy other people's styles.
- Make a vision board with a colorful background. Match the colors to the content and theme of your vision board. For example, to keep you motivated to do physical exercise to achieve a high goal (lifting a certain weight), choose a bold color, such as red.
- On the other hand, if you want to feel peaceful and calm in your everyday life, choose a soft color, such as light blue.
- Put your photo in the center of the vision board and surround yourself (in a literal sense!) with inspiring pictures and words.
- Once you've decided on the most appropriate design and arrangement, glue all photos and drawings together with glue, staples, or tacks. If you're making a vision board using a computer or other device, don't forget to save it!
Part 3 of 3: Utilizing the Vision Board
Step 1. Place the vision board where you can see it every day
A vision board serves as a visual reminder of what you want to accomplish by viewing it regularly so you can stay focused and motivated. Don't keep the vision board in the closet!
- If you want to use a vision board as a source of inspiration for yourself, that's fine. If so, you do not need to display a vision board in the living room. Likewise with electronic vision boards, you don't have to show them to the public. Websites and/or blogs can usually be set up with private access or limited who can see your work.
- Try to make it easy for you to see/access the vision board. Do not place/store the vision board in a place that is difficult to see.
Step 2. Look at your vision board regularly
Get in the habit of seriously looking at the vision board at least once a day, not just casually. Make a commitment to live the content and focus on the images/photos for at least five minutes.
Don't read inspirational sentences and affirmations silently, but read them aloud with conviction. Saying "I will be a successful designer" in your head is different from hearing yourself say it with confidence. Who will believe in you if you don't believe in yourself?
Step 3. Don't just believe in false promises about vision boards
Creating a vision board can help you get inspired, identify and define what you dream of, and keep you focused and motivated. But think again if you're doing this because you've heard the promise that the universe will give you anything you want by making a "good" vision board and thinking the "right" way.
- There is no scientific evidence to show that the universe will fulfill our desires if we create a vision board and visualize success.
- So that you don't give up before you start, know that life is not free from obstacles. Even though we try, sometimes we don't get what we want. If you start creating this vision board thinking that you will be successful if you can do it well, but your desires are not fulfilled, you will feel guilty and disappointed which can lead to depression and low self-esteem.
Step 4. Use the vision board to visualize the process, not just the outcome
A vision board can be used as a tangible focal point when visualizing goals. However, be aware that there is still debate within the scientific community about the role of visualization as a means of achieving goals. Several recent studies have shown that people who spend more time visualizing and imagining success actually have lower performance.
- For example, students who were asked to imagine what it would be like to get a good test result scored lower than students who visualized the learning process and who did not visualize anything.
- These examples and the study of them teach us that no matter how well you set specific goals and spend time imagining how beautiful your life would be if you achieved your goals, focusing on taking the specific steps needed will be more effective and more beneficial for your mental health.
- For example, there might be nothing wrong with daydreaming about how great you would be if you made it to the finish line in your first marathon. However, it is likely that you will fail to complete this grueling race if you only imagine moments of success.
- The time you spend visualizing will be more useful if it is used to focus on the practice process. Create a vision board with pictures and inspiring words about your practice, instead of just moments of success. And more importantly, don't forget to tie your shoelaces and practice running regularly!
