Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Vision Boards

"Do you have a vision board?" my friend asked at our weekly coffee date. "They really work."

Another friend chimed in that she had one too. I'd heard of this concept before but had never taken the time to do it.

"Vision board?" I asked. "No, I don't. Tell me about it."

She explained how making a visual picture board of her aspirations helped make them come true. Inspired to give it a try, the next day I Googled vision boards. If you're interested in creating one of your own, check out the excellent article by Christine Kane, How to Make a Vision Board.

Once I had the basic information, I decided to get really wild and blow a wad of money on various magazines. I'm not shy about my magazine addiction, so spending money on the process didn't bother me at all. In fact, this vision board stuff made it acceptable--admirable even--to purchase more magazines!

I hadn't even created my vision board, and I loved it already.

Before I purchased the glossy beauties, I spent a little time thinking about what I want from life. I've already been blessed with a happy, healthy family. My church and volunteer life satisfy me too. Therefore, my vision board would focus on the two things I yearn for: publication and personal desires such as traveling more.

With my goals in mind, I opened the magazines, and inhaled the aroma of fragrant, colored paper. Ahh... I cut out anything that sparked an emotion and set the pieces in a pile.

A few days later, I retrieved the poster board hiding in my office closet and began arranging the pictures, tossing any that didn't feel relevant, and leaving areas of white space to write on or for future pictures to be pasted.

The end result thrilled me. I can't wait to hang it in my office where I will see it every day. This is what it looks like:


Have you ever made a vision board? Do you need a good excuse to buy a stack of magazines? Try it! It's fun!

Join me on Friday for a recap of our goals!

48 comments:

  1. I've never made a vision board, but now that you've enlightened me I can see the appeal.

    Like you I've been blessed with all the important things in life, but it would be nice to see what other desires look like in full view.

    Great idea!

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  2. That's a pretty amazing way to boost your self-esteem. What a great idea. I'd never heard about this before now. So thanks! :)

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  3. No, I've neer made one. But I did take a class on "collages" by Jenny Crusise. That's her new thing to help her inspire a story.
    I DO, however, like pictures of my characters now. I spread them out on the table and look at them as I write. :)

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  4. Tamika: If you enjoy pictures, cutting, and glue, you'd have a great time making a vision board!

    Alliterative A: I know! I'd heard of it but never done it. It was a fun way to spend a few evenings.

    Jennifer: Ally Blake does this for her books, which sounds like Jen. Crusie's method, too. I haven't tried it yet for my books, but it certainly was fun for my life! I love finding pictures of my h/h's!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  5. Looks VERY cool, Jill! And I'm sure the creative process of making one was really fun!

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  6. When I was teaching, me and my students made vision boards and then gave short presentations about what was on our boards and why. We didn't call them vision boards--I can't remember the name we used--but that's what they were. It was a really cool activity. I'd forgotten about until now.

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  7. Anything involving scissors and glue has got to be fun. Yours looks great! :O)

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  8. That is so cool! I've never heard of them. I'm not so talented with collage type stuff... but I love looking at it!

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  9. I've fooled around with similar "tools" before but haven't done one in a long time. I like the idea of doing it not just for writing, but for other parts of my life, too. I might give it a whirl now that I see how you approached it. Any excuse to buy glossy mags has to be a good thing!

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  10. I don't have a vision board, but I'd sure like to make one. I'll have to add that to my list of things to do soon.

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  11. I made something like this as a project in high school, although it was more like a scrapbook. I'd forgotten all about it, though. Thanks for sharing this, I may give it a try!
    Blessings,
    Karen

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  12. My first thought was no, I've never made a vision board. But as I scrolled through the rest of this post I was struck by an amusing thought... this is what we did to our lockers in high school! What a wonderful idea. My kids are going to think I've gone nuts. Oh yeah, they already think that... :)
    Cool, Jill, as always! Thanks for sharing!

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  13. This looks awesome! LOL, OK, so it's not like I'm looking for another project, but this is way too cool to pass up. Keeping a visual reminder of where we want to be makes sense. Plus, it just sounds like fun :D

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  14. I've never made one of those! That is absolutely beautiful! What a great idea. :)

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  15. What an inspiring collage! I am doing this in a small way with my scrapbook pages for my books. :)

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  17. No vision board but I would like one!!!
    GREAT idea! I could visualize better all the little pieces swirling in my brain.

    This is THE PLACE for new ideas...and encouragement!
    Patti

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  18. My dad made one of all the things that are important to him and then had it professionally framed - it's gorgeous! :-)

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  19. Jill:
    I like this idea. I volunteer with a faith-based,nonprofit ministry that is in the process of formulating its vision for the future. I sent a link to the board members. Thank you for sharing this idea with us.

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  20. I've never heard of such a thing. And I've completely emptied my house of all magazines, so I'd have to use like the grocery store ad. Yeah, that wouldn't really work out...

    But yours is beautiful!

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  21. Jody: It's fun to do with kids, too. I encouraged mine to try it, but they gave me the are-you-nuts look!

    Paul: How fun! I would love to see and hear descriptions of other people's boards!

    Diane: Glue? Scissors? I'm in!!

    Kristen: No talent required. Honestly! Just slap pics on a board. Easy!

    Patrice: You're talking my language. Glossy mags--sigh... Oh, and I found a non-glossy mag named BOHO, printed on recycled paper, that had tons of super cute things to cut out!

    Susan: It's a fun thing to do while you're watching a television show the rest of the family enjoys but you don't. Like Magic Secrets Revealed 32.

    Karen: You have to find that baby! Just think of what might be on it!

    Niki: You're right! I'm sure I had pictures of Johnny Depp, Christian Slater, and any other number of cuties in my locker. :)

    Georgiana: It was fun! I had a blast!

    Lady Glam: You should do it with your pictures. They're so gorgeous!

    Erica: How cool! Your covers are divine. I'm sure the scrapbook rocks!

    Patti: And you know what they say about the more solid a goal is in our head? The more likely we'll get it. What better than a picture?

    Shannon: I wish I could see it. What a great idea!

    Quiet Spirit: Wow! Thank you and good luck. It's fun, easy, and worthwhile to try!

    Elana: If you could see the horrified expression on my face... You need magazines. Lots of magazines. Go to the store ASAP and buy a stack! Even if you aren't creating a vision board. A house without magazines... *shuddering* :)

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  22. Hi Jill -

    A relative keeps a picture of a piece of real estate he'd like to own on his car visor. I guess that's a mini-vision board.

    All I have is a bulletin board with pictures of my late honey and me, a cartoon, and business cards.
    It inspires me to keep writing because he gave me that initial push to write my book.

    Blessings,
    Susan :)

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  23. This looks like a great project to do with my DD. I'm always looking for something crafty we can do together. I suppose mine would have a ton of book lists. ;)

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  24. Looks like a fun thing to do. It's kind of the same principle as the "story boards" they make up when planning a movie.
    I don't know if you seen any of the current ABC TV series Flash Forward, but your vision board is kind of like the one the main character of the show has made up to link the clues to the vision of the future he has seen.

    Lee

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  26. Hi Jill,
    Vision boards are really fun to make. I've been involved in several women's workshop where we shared magazines and created our vision boards. Not only was it a lot of fun, but each of us also helped each other find pictures that were perfect for each others dreams and goals. The energy of others who are also creating their visions can be very inspiring.

    Lynn

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  27. I love this idea! I'm on spring break, so I might make one for my dorm room. Now, I need to go find some magazines and make this happen!

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  28. Great idea, Jill! Thanks for sharing.

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  30. I specifically have a vision board for my writing. I've put positive comments that I've gotten from editors up so I can see them for the days when I feel my writing sucks. It does help

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  31. I love it! What a neat idea. My creative juices are just brimming to try one. Thanks for sharing:)

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  32. My daughter and I both have been wanting cork boards for above our desks where we can create ongoing vision boards. i figure you just keep pinning things there that inspire you and take down the ones that you've moved on from. Sounds like a great summer project for my daughter and me. Awesome, Jill! Thanks for inspiring me to maybe do it sooner than later.

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  34. Susan J.R.: He sounds like he was a wonderful man. I'm glad you have such a positive memory and inspiration.

    T.Anne: I love projects that don't require too many steps or complications. This is fun to do with kids!

    Arlee: Welcome! I love Flash Forward! And I hadn't thought of that. Maybe I need to add a blue hand? Ha!

    Lynn: What a great way to bond! You're right about the energy, too.

    IcyRoses: Spring break--woo-hoo! Get some magazines and have fun!

    Sharon: You're welcome!

    Em-Musing: Great idea. We all need positive reminders on the bad days!

    Kara: Yay! Have fun with it!

    Heather: Oh, you should! It's good to encourage children to look forward to the future!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  35. Nice brief and this mail helped me alot in my college assignement. Thanks you for your information.

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  37. Oooh! You are addicted to magazines too? I'm a recovering addict. lol :) I've seen a few vision boards, but have never made my own. I do however make lists.

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  38. That's really cool Jill. It reminds me of the "look book" idea that you can do to put down all your fasion likes and any other inspirationn that comes to you. I have always wanted to try one. Thanks for the great post.

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  39. I've done that in a way before. Instead of with paper and glue, I have made movies with pictures that inspire me on Windows Media Player. Kinda fun thing to do with your WIP. :)

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  40. What a clever idea, Jill. I'm a visual person, so I can see how something like this would be inspiring.

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  41. Anonymous: Glad it helped!

    CMOM: Oh yeah! I love them, and I love lists too! :)

    Nancy: Look Book--I want one of those, too! How fun!

    J.J.: Great idea! I'd never thought to do it online. Perfect!

    Keli: Inspiring and fun. Great combo!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  42. I love this idea! I need to make one!
    For my writing, I've recently discovered that drawing "treasure" maps helps me with my plotting and keeps me on track. Cutting and pasting a vision board for life, or for a story looks like a great way to do that too.

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  43. Tyrean: Welcome! Oooh, I like the sound of a treasure map to plot!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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