You’re probably hearing a lot of buzz about this thing called a Vision Board right now. You’ve heard about how it can help you clarify your goals and keep you focused as you work toward them. You’ve seen some pretty elaborate ones proudly posted on Facebook and Pinterest. And maybe it all just seems a bit too “out there” for you. After all, how can an arts and crafts project help you reach your health and fitness goals?
I’m glad you asked! A vision board is not about the board itself. It’s about cultivating a MINDSET that is going to get you to where you want to be. How? Three ways:
Making It
Making your vision board is all about finding tangible images to represent your goals. Part of the reason why so many people fail to reach their goals is because their goals seem like these distant ideals that they’re not actually sure they can reach. This is not so motivating. Attaching your goals to something concrete roots them in REALITY: a reality that you are creating for yourself. Say, for example, you’ve made a goal to lose 20 pounds. That’s not very tangible. WHY do you want to lose 20 pounds? To fit into that dress hanging in the back of your closet? Put a picture of it on your vision board! To be in better shape so you can easily run around the park with your kids? Add a picture of them joyfully running around the park! By identifying these images, you’ve just clarified your goal by attaching a “why?” with some emotional weight to it, which is going to be a powerful motivator for you when the going gets tough.
Sharing It
Yikes. Really? Do you have to actually show it to people? Technically, no. Don’t do anything that you are extremely uncomfortable with, but pushing the boundaries of your comfort zone can be a good thing! Sharing your vision board with your challenge group and/or some close friends lets them know that you’re doing something so that they can cheer you on! It also invites accountability, which, yes, can be uncomfortable, but it can also get you through the low points and make the high points even sweeter. Humans are meant to live in community. When you share your vision board, you might be surprised by the encouragement you get and the stronger commitment to your goal you feel.
Using It
Make sure you put your vision board in a place where you will see it several times each day. Put it on your bathroom mirror, make it your computer desktop image, whatever works for you. Try moving it periodically so that it stays fresh in your environment and you take note of it whenever you see it. The more you visualize the life that you want via the images on your vision board, the more successful you will be at creating it. Don’t believe in manifesting things with your thoughts? That’s okay! This really boils down to behavior modification. By continuously focusing on what you want and thinking about it in the PRESENT TENSE, over time you are “tricking” your brain into believing that it is already true. Thus, you will find yourself behaving as though it is true, which will lead you to make it become true. This is not weird, hippie magic. This is PSYCHOLOGY!
I hope this helps clear up some of the misconceptions about vision boards. They really are EXTREMELY useful tools that help you create and maintain a mindset that will lead to success. Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have about vision boards or getting started on your own health and fitness journey!
Teri
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