How do you plan for your New Year? Do you set goals and objectives? Do you make a plan and put it into action?
I've tried lots of ways of ways of mapping out the coming year, it is a natural rhythm at this time of year. I've found that creating a vision board is one of the best way for a creative person to plan their year. It draws on your big vision and helps you clarify the elements that are most important to you.
What Is a Vision Board?
A vision board is a tool used to help clarify, concentrate and maintain focus on a specific life goal. Literally, a vision board is any sort of board on which you display images that represent whatever you want to be, do or have in your life.
Creating a sacred space that displays what you want actually does bring it to life. What we focus on expands. When you create a vision board and place it in a space where you see it often, you essentially end up doing short visualization exercises throughout the day. Visualization has been proven to have tremendous power in helping you manifest your dreams and visions. Vision boards are a manifestation tool.
3 Ways to Create Your Vision Board
I imagine there are as many ways to create a vision board as there are people creating them. No matter which way you choose, take some time to tune into the energy of what wants to come into your Life this coming year.
Tap into your biggest possibility. Feel it. Sense it. See it. Jot down some phrases that capture what that is. Notice what areas of your world would be impacted and benefit most.
Narrow down the vision board to 1-3 overarching themes, that's plenty to focus on in one year, especially if you want to make substantive shifts.
Once I have the vision and themes I tune into how I want to feel. this is very important. Make sure the images you use capture not only the themes/vision, but how you'll feel while experiencing them.
Here are 3 ways to create your 2017 Vision Board:
1. Physical Vision Board. You can go old school and buy a sheet of oaktag or cork board at Staples or Office Space. Cut or print pictures for your vision board and glue/pin them artfully or organically (whichever works for you). Pick favorite quotes that motivate and inspire you. Make sure to post it somewhere where you'll be able to spend time every day to activate your vision.
Here are two examples I found on Flickr.com's Creative Commons (one of my favorite resources for Creative Commons stock photos). The first is all pictures, the second is writing and pictures. Follow your flow and do your vision board your way. Remember, you're the one it needs to vibe for most.
Sharona Gott – My First Vision Board
Colleen Galvin – Week 18 New Years Resolution
2. Pinterest Vision Board. Create a Secret Board on Pinterest. Add images that represent your vision. Here's one that I created on Pinterest:
3. Canva Vision Board. My latest tool for creating a vision board is Canva, my go to graphic creator. I use this freemium tool daily. It's free to use and you can upgrade to a paid version for extra features. Find 9 images that capture your yearly themes and insert them in one of the Canva templates.
I'd love to see your Vision Board for 2017! Make sure to post a link to it, or an image, in the comments.
