“Imagination is the beginning of creation.  You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine and at last you create what you will.” – George Bernard Shaw

A vision board is a blueprint to help clarify, concentrate and maintain focus on a specific life goal or a set of situations that deliver happiness.  As human beings, we are often muddled with negative thoughts that deter us from staying focused on our goals.  Haven’t you heard the words, “You Can’t” or “It is hard”?  No matter, how positive you think, there are times when the self-doubt creeps in.  Visualizing a positive outcome and building a vision board helps to stay motivated and stick to achieving one’s goals.

Visualization has been used as a technique since the Cave Man era.  According to Anthropologists, visuals were not created for decorating living spaces but to ‘envision’ the upcoming hunt.  Early vision board image trace back to the South Pacific indigenous people.

I was introduced to vision boards when I was a teenager.  It was a magical and fun experience to be able to paste images, quotes, drawings to a board and get inspired by it every day.  Over the years, there have been several theories regarding the creation of vision boards.  Some swear that it helps use the “laws of attraction” to achieve goals and others claim that it is counterproductive, since continually fantasizing about success can lead to taking fewer actions to realizing it.  Thus, an “action board” is sometimes viewed as a better alternative.  It is a visual reminder to keep me focused on my path.  

Vision boards are a vital part of how I stay focused on my goals and this visualization practice keeps me motivated to maintain my state of happiness.  I utilize my vision board as an action board.  Every year, I document what makes me happy or feel satisfied on a vision board.  It includes my plans for the year both personal and professional.  Once I create these boards, then I work towards making them a reality.  This is a great way to help bring dreams and goals to action. 

The power of visualization has been an integral part of daily practice for many successful people.  Boxing legend Muhammad Ali was always stressing the importance of seeing himself victorious long before the actual fight.  There are documented testimonies that mental practice can get you closer to where you want to be in life, and it can prepare you for success.  For those of you who dismiss this as mumbo jumbo, think again.  Scientifically, it has been proven that thoughts produce the same mental instructions as actions.  Mental imagery impacts many cognitive processes in the brain: motor control, attention, perception, planning, and memory.  So, the brain is getting trained for actual performance during visualization.  Mental practices can enhance motivation, increase confidence and self-efficacy.  So, going through the process of crafting a vision and displaying it where you can see it and think about it every day will help speed your way to attain it.

The beauty about vision boards is that they place the things which motivate and drive you in your line of sight every day.  The images and phrases that make the board should represent your highest priorities.  I have created some vision boards which have been randomly spontaneous and others that have been goal-focused with intention.  

We are in control of our own thoughts, feelings, actions, and reactions.  At both conscious and subconscious levels, a vision board can work wonders toward keeping your mind focused on your goal, your attention on your intentions, and your life headed in the direction you choose.  

There is only one rule when you are creating a vision board – there are no rules!  Whether you look at it from a spiritual or scientific aspect, this world is a huge vision board.  Innovation is created from an image in someone’s mind.  The real value to the board is clarifying your goals, but then developing the process to achieve them!

Shree Kumar

Global Talent Scout

Max Populi