Ditch the magazines and scissors. Your guide to digital visions boards is here. In this article I'll share with you why you need a vision board and what makes this digital version better than the traditional cut and paste poster boards. You'll also get a step-by-step lesson on how to create your own along with links to access my custom vision board templates and resources for printing in any size you want. That's right, just because you created it digitally doesn't mean it has to stay on your computer screen! Read on for details...
Here's Why You Need A Vision Board
It's simple! If you can see it, you can achieve it. A vision board is a collage of images, words and phrases that are reflective of your dreams, goals and greatest desires in life. This purpose-driven visualization activity is proven to help increase your chances of success by keeping you focused, motivated and intentional. A vision board serves as a reminder for what you want the most, why you want it, things you find fulfilling, inspiring and make your life better. Most importantly, it reminds you of how good it will feel when you manifest the life you truly want. Whether it's a new home, new car, college degree or certification, vacation, marriage, baby, job, business, weight loss or anything else - your vision board will help bring it to fruition.
Why A Digital Vision Board?
That's simple too! A digital vision board takes the hassle out of searching through (and destroying) countless magazines to find images you probably don't even want. Why settle for images because it's what's available when you can search millions of images on the web to create the perfect vision board? Many people end up with a board that doesn't inspire them, thus it's ineffective. It has tons of white space because they either can't find the perfect magazine clippings to express themselves or they don't understand how a collage works (NO MORE WHITE SPACES)! Plus, if you're touched with a little OCD like me you prefer the impeccably neat appearance of a digital vision board with clear lines and shapes drawing your attention and making it easier to focus on your beautiful images, hence your vision. If you're still not convinced continue reading to learn about all the benefits of a digital vision board.
A Little Backstory Sparkling With Success
I've been invited to several vision board parties but the thought of me scrambling through magazines only to find uninspiring images was daunting for me. So needless to say I've never attended one. Instead, I found a way to create beautiful, inspiring and neat collages expressive of my personal style and desires. My first vision board was completed in 2018 with hopes of a spectacular 2019. I was pleased with my success as this sparked a ripple effect and as events began to unfold my vision expanded, my desires became greater and so did my level of success. Many of the things on my first vision board have changed but that's the beauty of this exercise. It helps you focus and learn more about yourself. It helps you grow exponentially when done with great intention.
Fast forward to 2020, I've achieved more success this year than any year prior. This has truly been the best year of my life! I've accomplished many things on my vision board and also things that I hadn't imagined. I envisioned making more charitable contributions and working with particular charities. Not only did I increase my charitable giving and civic engagement but I also co-founded a nonprofit, TheBridgeZone US and became the Fundraising Director of My Lion's Heart (which donated dozens of brand new coats and winter accessories to a charity on my vision board). I quit my job and began working for myself full-time. I relocated and moved into a new luxury home which was #1 on my search list. I finally began investing in the stock market, and real estate with REITs. I'm also studying to become a leadership coach through one of the most coveted programs in the world. In other words, my vision board worked better than I ever imaged and I am 100% satisfied with the outcome of my 2020. For the first time, I don't feel like my year is continuing in 2021but instead I'm moving onward and upward with my most ambitious goals yet.
So...Where Do You Start?
You may have noticed I'm a fan of simplicity. Like many people, you may be wondering where to start. It's of course, simple. Start where you are, with what you have. Let your vision take on a life of its own and guide you the rest of the way. Begin with the end in mind. Think about the person you want to grow into and what you want to accomplish most. Remember, the sky doesn't have to be the limit if you can reach for the moon so go big or go home. No goal is too big and if it's what you truly want, no goal is too small either. Read on for steps to create your best vision board ever!
Download Canva, It's Free
I love Canva because it makes digital design very simple and easy and you don't have to be a pro to render beautiful creations. You'll want to download Canva on your desktop or laptop for best usability and editing capabilities. I'm giving you the same vision board templates I used to create my personal board. You have three to choose from depending on how intricate and plentiful you want your vision board to be. After clicking the link to the templates, select the option to use the template and it will open in your personal Canva account. All three templates will be within the same file. I recommend creating a copy of this file in Canva so you continue to have access to all of them. For the main file you'll be working in you can simply delete the templates you don't want to use.
*Although it's available for your mobile phone I do not recommend using the app due to the small size of your screen. If you have large fingers, forget about it.
Find Beautiful & Inspiring Images
It's a good idea to find the images you love and save them to a folder. You can do this in Canva and/or on your device. You can use images you find on the web and upload them to Canva. Canva also has tons of images available and you can search them by using key words and phrases. Some of the images are only available for pro/paid accounts, however. Another great (and free) source for image downloads is Unsplash. You can also save these to your device and upload them to Canva.
Once you find images begin plugging them into your board by dragging and dropping them into place. If you make a mistake you can use the back arrow button on Canva for corrections. You can also delete images by following the appropriate steps such as double clicking to highlight an image and deleting it. You can find tutorials for using Canva on their website as well as on YouTube.
Download & Print Your Vision Board
Download your vision board and save it to your devices. You can print your vision board in whatever size you want but the templates are for 30x20 inches or poster board size. If you choose to go bigger or smaller you'll want to maintain the same ratios to avoid distorting or cutting off parts of your images. For example if you wanted a smaller size you can opt for 15x10 inches instead - half the size of the original template. I like to use Photo Affections to print my vision boards. You can print in many different sizes and also enjoy 85 free prints (4x6) every single month with your free account. Their optional matte photo finish looks great and is my favorite.
Stay Inspired
Keep your vision board in front of you and view it often. Display it in a prominent place, save it on your phone and other devices, add it as your screensaver and desktop background on your computers. You can also display it on your wall in a beautiful frame. You'll get the best use out of your vision board and greater results by looking at it while imagining your life when you have the things you want. Visualize how you will feel when you have your dream home, car or job. Imagine leaving your 9-5 to work for yourself full-time. Make note of how wonderful it feels. My favorite part about creating a digital vision board is I can update it at any time. As my goals change so does my vision board, whether I'm adding to it or removing something from it (when I change my mind). I recommend viewing it daily and updating it as needed, at least quarterly.
Your Thoughts Become Things
I'll leave you with this reminder; your thoughts become things. Your thoughts greatly influence your actions and thus who you become, your life story. The Law of Attraction implies that in order to attract something to you, you first must think of it, believe in it, and make room for it. Keep this in mind when you're setting and working towards your goals.
"Thoughts become things. If you see it in your mind, you will hold it in your hand." ~Bob Proctor
Your turn. Keep Good Going...
Now it's your turn. If you found the information in this article valuable be sure to share it with your friends and loved ones for you never know whom you may inspire with just one simple act of kindness.
If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. ~African Proverbs
