Create A Vision For Your Life

We’re well into January and I hope you’ve taken some time to think about the kind of year you’d like to create.  Notice I said create, because that’s exactly what we do – we create our life, one moment at a time, one thought at a time.  There are so many tools out there that make claims of instant success, how do you know which one to try?

Vision Boards

I’ve been making vision boards (when I first learned about them they were called Treasure Maps) since the early 1990s and I can attest to their power.  It’s a great way for me to feel creative – not only in making the board, but in bringing about what I would like to experience.  If you’ve never done them or have forgotten about them, I invite you to make one for yourself this year.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Magazines: lots of different magazines that pertain to subjects you are interested in – travel, cooking, snowboarding, yoga, spirituality, wellness, wealth – whatever gets you excited or feels like an adventure.  Collect them or grab something warm to drink and peruse the magazine rack at your local bookstore.  So many luscious choices await you!  You’ll be choosing pictures, words and phrases from these magazines that coincide with what you want on your board.

Scissors

Glue Sticks or Tape

Colorful Markers or Crayons

Poster board: They come in plain white or a variety of colors. My current one has blue sky and clouds and is about 28”x26”, but you can make any size you’d like.

Time: This is a must!  Please do yourself the favor of making space in your day for this.  You’ll need 2-4 hours, depending on how detailed you get.  Why so long you ask? (I felt you gasp at the thought of taking that much time for yourself. Relax. Keep breathing).  You’re creating the kind of year you desire and it takes a bit of thoughtful planning.  Just remember, you’re so worth it!

Once you have gathered your supplies, find a space you can spread out everything – give yourself plenty of room to let your creative juices flow!  Then ask yourself these questions, which will help you choose your photos and words:

1.    What brings you joy and happiness?
2.    What do you want more of in your life?
3.    What would your dream life look like if you had everything you wanted?  Feel like? What and who would you surround yourself with?
4.    What have you always wanted to be, do or have that you’ve never started?
5.    Who do you want to be?

Once you’ve answered these questions, you’ll have a much better idea of what to look for in the magazines.

Next: Start flipping through the magazines and cut out pictures, phrases, words that jump out and grab your attention. This is no time for being practical!  If it speaks to you on some level, cut it out and put it in a pile. Have fun with this!  Dream big! If you see a beautiful home that makes your heart jump – cut it out.  If you see people on a beach, enjoying a vacation – grab it! Don’t try to make sense of it or rationalize it – just start choosing.

Once you have your photos and words, choose the ones you’d like on your board and start arranging them in whatever way you’d like.  There’s no right or wrong here, so create and experiment all you like!  (This is my fav part, because when I was a young girl, I was told I wasn’t creative by a teacher and that statement stuck with me for most of my life. I’m happy to say, she was dead wrong).  I like to cover all parts of my life so I have sections on my board for finances, career, spirituality, health and wellness, relationships, fun and self- care, family, friends and community, physical environment and personal growth.  You can do whatever feels good to you – that’s the beauty of it!  Once you’ve got them arranged, get out the glue stick and have at it.

Display Your Vision

So now you have a vision for 2014! Take a moment to sit back and take it all in. This is what you’ll be creating this year, so you’ll want to hang it in a place of honor. I have mine (pictured) in my office where I can see it from my desk. Every time I look at it, I smile because I know what’s coming.

So what will your year look like?  Will it be a new car or new home?  Will you get a raise or change careers altogether?  Will you make time for self-care?  Will you travel more? Will you go on a girls weekend with your friends?  Will you start eating healthier?

I’d love to hear about what you experience when creating the board and what comes into your life this year. Please leave a comment here or email me.  If you found this article helpful and would like to share it with someone you love – well by all means do so by using the icons below to post, tweet or pin!