Vision Board for Goals
Vision board for goals setting are a very powerful tool indeed.
In 2016, Liz Funk worked as a freelance consultant for early-stage startups.
When she felt ready to take a new personal and professional leap and consider the possibility of moving, she created a vision board to define and achieve her goals.
“I started by adding inspirational colour ads for fashion designer Lilly Pulitzer to my chart, and the title of an article about the ‘power of admiration’,” Funk explains.
“Two years later, I found myself the founder of a subscription box company that periodically ships clothes in almost new condition.
My company, AWE, very often resells Lilly Pulitzer’s designs. ”
A vision board, created as a physical collage/poster or as a digital version on Pinterest, can become a very effective tool to define and achieve your professional goals without overwhelming yourself.
“Creating dashboards is a visual, user-friendly way to illustrate your business goals,
in a medium where you can refer to them on a daily basis,” says Funk. “It subtly reminds you of the things you are committed to doing. I find, during stressful work periods, that I just have to look at my visualization boards to take a step back and feel reassured again. ”
Goal-Setting Theory: Why Scoreboards Work
A reminder to sceptics who consider flip charts to be nothing more than a DIY project:
There is a scientifically proven goal-setting theory that supports this practice.
By spending time reflecting on your career goals for the year (and creating a vision board in the process), you’ll be better prepared to set and achieve goals that meet certain basic criteria.
According to the Small Business Chronicle publication, these criteria include the following:
- Clarity: create clear and measurable goals.
- Challenge: avoid choosing too simple goals that can be easily achieved. Your goals should force you to step out of your comfort zone.
- Commitment: Entrepreneurs and employees need to show commitment to truly work towards accomplishing a goal.
- Feedback / Feedback: Provide a way to track progress, and recognize employee efforts as they move towards a set goal.
- Difficulty / Complexity: Even if your objective represents a challenge, it should not be too complex or unattainable.
- Based on these criteria, you can better guide your brainstorming sessions and set goals that have a greater impact on your business.
In addition, by visualizing your goals, you will be more likely to achieve them.
According to a TD Bank study, one in five entrepreneurs uses a vision board (or similar tool) to launch their project, and 76% of respondents report that their business is at the stage they envisioned in the launch phase.
“Visualization allows you to enter the ‘zone’ – a psychological state that is associated with optimal performance,” says Melody Wilding, professor of human behaviour at Hunter College in New York City, and graduate social worker.
“By imagining the future and the goals you want to achieve, you activate an area of the brain whose role is to seek out new opportunities: the Reticular Activation System.
That’s why new opportunities begin to emerge in your daily life when you add things to your vision board: your brain searches for these opportunities more effectively. ”
Macro Goals
Think of vision boards as a visual way to plan macro goals. Kim Mackenzie, the Strategy Consultant, uses the following analogy: “Before the captain sets his boat in motion, he has to chart his course.”
Creating dashboards will help you prioritize your tasks and interactions by providing you with a clearer picture of your goals and the steps you will take to accomplish them.
“Planning allows for better management where energy and effort are invested” – MacKenzie.
If you feel ready to tackle bigger goals this year, get ambitious and start by pinning your dreams into a vision board – the ultimate tool for achieving your goals.
8 steps to creating a professional vision board
1. Save time, block out distractions
When there are income-generating tasks to accomplish, creating a vision board is definitely not going to be on your priority list.
This is why you should deliberately set aside time in your calendar and start to view your vision board as a priority task.
Find someone around you who also wants to create their flip chart, and work together to engage more in the process.
If you still can’t find a time slot for this activity, focus on it during the weekends or in your spare time.
2. Ask yourself some key questions
MacKenzie recommends that clients mentally project themselves into the future before starting to work on their vision boards.
She recommends asking yourself questions like, “Which goal would seem consistent?” “,” What objective would seem ambitious? “,” What would success look like? “.
“Success is relative and constantly evolving,” says MacKenzie. “For any given year, you might want to find a better work-life balance. For another year, your goal might be to acquire 20% more customers.
You have to take time to clearly define your aspirations. If you know what you want to achieve, it becomes much easier to prioritize tasks and interactions. ”
Some potential questions you might ask yourself when setting goals and a vision for your business include:
- What are your goals for your activity for the current year? Think about sales, marketing, growth, and beyond.
- How would you like to see your skills improve, as an employer and as a merchant? And how would you like to improve these skills?
- How would you like to invest in your business? This could include purchasing equipment, creating a new product line, hiring employees, or any other investment of time or money.
- How would you like to collaborate with other players in your industry this year? Do you plan to step up your networking efforts to meet more merchants, form a partnership with a brand that inspires you, or find a mentor who can offer you support?
3. Structure your goals
Liz Funk structures the ideas in her flip chart into 4 areas, each with a different purpose.
For example, an area is titled “Finances and Money”: the colours of the money bills as well as words like “hundreds”, “millions” and “increase” are highlighted there.
The other areas include the following themes:
- “Growth and Goals” (images from her dream office and speakers).
- “Product Celebration and Praise” (photos of women dressed in luxury clothing and a host of positive adjectives).
And “Women business leaders or inspiring” (images of entrepreneurs like Tory Burch, Eileen Fisher, and Ellen Pao).
I encourage people to think about the different aspects of their projects where they would like to see change, growth or improvement – and to customize their own sections. - “I think it’s useful to group words and images that complement each other, in order to have a cohesive organization and aesthetic appeal,” she explains.
Some other common sections include the following :
- “Entertainment and creativity”
- “Training and learning”
- And “Sociability and Networking”.
While some of these sections are most often included in personal vision boards, they can also fit into a work goal-focused board.
4. Find the right tools, accessories and resources
Make sure you have the magazines, Pinterest images, and other resources that will help you find the words, phrases, and images you need for your bulletin board.
“You should get at least one trade journal to find images related to your area of activity,” Funk explains. “I use Vanity Fair and other similar publications which are very helpful when it comes to ambition, money, and success proverbs.
And as a fashion entrepreneur, I use Vogue and other fashion catalogues I get ”.
To create a physical vision board, you will need some tools, props, and resources:
- Magazines, newspapers, leaflets or other printed materials
- Billboard
- Markers
- Pens
- Normal pencils and coloured pencils
- Painting
- Scissors or cutters
- Glue and Adhesives
To create a digital vision board, use a tool like Pinterest or Canva to group graphics and other elements into a collage.
5. Stay tuned for inspiration
“Vision is the cornerstone of any asset you build to deliver value,” says Jasmine Takanikos, founder of the BrandHuman methodology; and the Candor branding and design studio.
“Start looking at the world from a new perspective – stay open-minded and learn to document what piques your interest.
Realize that design and user experience go hand in hand. ”
Detach yourself from your connected devices more often, especially when you’re away from your home or office – and try to be more present.
6. Start creating your vision board
This is where you get your hands dirty.
“I usually create my visualization boards on poster boards, and I use glue sticks to stick the images on,” Funk explains.
“Then I use a small foam brush, like the one you would use to paint baseboards – and glue varnish to make the painting look cohesive and attractive. ”
Once your visualization board is complete, consider framing it, or at least placing it in a prominent place within your work environment. “You use your board to give substance to your career goals and dreams,” Funk explains. ” So why not? ”
7. Let yourself be carried away by the creativity
Do not dwell too much on the aesthetic aspect of your visualization board: detach yourself from rational reasoning so as not to limit your ambitions.
“At worst, you’ll end up with a visually appealing collage,” Funk explains. “And in the best-case scenario, you’ll get a visual expression of your professional goals on your wall, which subtly soaks your subconscious with every look. ”
Remember that “Done” is better than “Perfect”. When it comes to creating a vision board, it’s not your skills that are evaluated. So don’t worry so much about the technical details.
8. Take into account the emotions associated with your goals.
Don’t limit your images to physical objects – consider the emotions they conjure as well. “Don’t just focus on the things you want to receive or have,” says Wilding.
“Do your best to find images that conjure up the emotions within you that you would like to feel – the nicest emotions you could think of. ”
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Visualization boards encourage action
Creating dashboards will get you closer to your business goals more effectively.
In addition to helping you maintain optimal focus, avoid distractions, and force you to identify precisely what you want to accomplish, your boards will send you visual stimulus.
That will encourage you to engage more in the process.
FAQ about Vision Boards for Goals:
How do you make a vision board for goals?
Creating a vision board is fun and easy! Here’s a quick guide:
- Brainstorm & Clarify: Think about your goals and what you want to achieve. Get specific and write them down!
- Gather Inspiration: Flip through magazines, browse online images, or use quotes that resonate with you.
- Create & Design: Use a physical board or a digital platform like Pinterest. Arrange your images and words in a way that inspires you.
- Display & Visualize: Place your vision board somewhere you’ll see it daily. The more you see it, the more you’ll be motivated!
How do you manifest your goals on a vision board?
Vision boards aren’t magic spells, but they’re powerful tools. Here’s how they work:
- Clarity & Focus: By visualizing your goals, you gain clarity and focus, making them seem more achievable.
- Positive Reinforcement: Seeing your vision board daily reinforces your desires and keeps you motivated.
- Attraction: Some believe the positive energy you put into your vision board attracts opportunities to help you achieve your goals.
What is the vision board activity for goal setting?
Vision boards are a creative and engaging way to set goals. They help you:
- Spark Creativity: The process of creating a vision board can spark new ideas and approaches to achieving your goals.
- Boost Motivation: Seeing your vision daily keeps you motivated and excited to take action.
- Track Progress: Over time, your vision board can serve as a visual reminder of your progress.
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Additional Resources:
- How To Make A Vision Board: 2024 Step-By-Step Guide [Milanote]: https://artfulparent.com/make-vision-board-works-10-steps/
- How to Use a Vision Board to Achieve Your Goals [Verywell Mind]: https://masm.mw/How-To-Make-A-Vision-Board-For-Weight-Loss-That-Works-4154388.html
Conclusion:
Vision boards are a powerful tool for goal setting.
By harnessing the power of visualization and positive reinforcement, you can increase your focus, motivation, and ultimately, your chances of success.
So grab some magazines, unleash your creativity, and get started on your vision board today!
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Learn more about Vision Boards
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