From Inspiration to Manifestation: How to Make a Vision Board that Works

Do you wish that working towards your goals was a little easier?

Or so you feel it's just too easy to forget about the goals you set at the start of the year?

Let me tell you a story about a few years ago when I was a teacher and feeling really lost.

I had moved halfway across the world for work and with no real idea of what I wanted for myself out of the 9 to 5.

One day, a friend told me about vision boards.

She explained that by creating a visual representation of your goals and dreams, you could train your brain to focus on the opportunities that align with them.

I was sceptical, but I decided to give it a try.

I spent a weekend saving images from Pinterest of places I wanted to go and changes I wanted to make in my life before printing and pasting them onto a poster board.

I included everything from travel destinations to health and personal qualities that I wanted to develop to the relationships I wanted in my life. 

I also used positive statements that affirmed my worth and ability to achieve my goals.

For example, "I am capable of achieving my dreams" or "Success and abundance come easy for me."

I stuck my vision boards inside my bedroom closet and the one I made about health and well-being on my fridge freezer and went about my days as usual.

At first, I didn't notice any changes. But a few months later, I saw something interesting had happened.

About 50% of the things I had placed on my boards had already come to pass, and other things I wanted were in motion. 

The boards had consistently reminded me of what I wanted, and I had become more aware and focused on opportunities, leading to me getting those things.

Things like:

• Meeting a group of like-minded girlfriends and starting a women's circle. 
• Joining different dance classes, I wanted to try. 
• A vintage motorbike that I wanted. 
• Staying committed to eating healthy and taking cooking classes.
• Going to some festivals.
• Recovering from heartbreak.

Could I have achieved all these things with willpower alone? Probably.

But with the consent reminder of the vision board daily, it didn't feel like a struggle. 

Since then, I've created a vision board for most of my goals and aspirations almost every year.

Including:

• Starting a new business
• Meeting my partner
• Moving to Mexico

That's because seeing the images day after day stimulates the Reticular Activating System (RAS) in your brain.

The RAS is responsible for filtering through all the millions of bits of information our senses receive each minute and focusing your attention on what's important.

When you create a vision board, you're training your RAS to recognize opportunities and resources that align with your goals.

And because your subconscious mind can't tell the difference between reality and imagination, by visualizing your dreams daily by looking at your vision board, you're telling your brain that they are something familiar to you.

This eases the fear of the unknown and makes it easier to take action towards your goals because there are fewer feelings of vulnerability about expanding your comfort zone.

Four steps to making a vision board that actually helps you manifest your dreams:

You must create a vision board that speaks to your subconscious mind and inspires you to act.

1. First, start by setting clear intentions. What do you want to achieve in your life?
   
   Be specific and write down your goals. This will help you select images and words that align with your vision.
   
   If you're struggling for clarity, my free 1 hour Anual Aspirations Ritual can empower you to set and reach your goals with less self-doubt.
   
   
2. Next, choose images and words that evoke strong emotions.
   
   You should feel excited and inspired when you look at your vision board.
   
   Use pictures that make you feel happy, motivated, and fulfilled.
   
   Where possible, include some photos of yourself on the vision board.
   
   
3. Then, place the vision board/s somewhere you can see them every day. 
   
   You can take photos, or if you make it first online, take a screenshot and use it as your computer, tablet and phone screen saver. 
   
   
4. Finally, be aware and proactive to create, accept and explore the opportunities that come your way. 
   
   While vision boards are powerful and potent tools for training your brain to focus on your goals, you will need to get out of the house and take action towards them.
   
   Be sure to go to new places and engage with people more often.
   
   Listen to clues and cues and get curious about where they can take you. 

Enjoy making your vision board, follow these tips and DM on Instagram at Donnalouise.co to let me know what you managed to achieve with its help.