It’s wholly possible to turn your dreams into reality. According to many influential leaders—Deepak Chopra, Gabrielle Bernstein, and Oprah, of course—it’s as simple as manifestation. Well, that and hard work.
Manifestation and achieving your dreams aren’t magic, though—and they don’t happen overnight. Successful manifestation starts with setting your intention, believing that it will become a reality, then taking active steps toward making that abstract idea come to fruition. And that’s where vision boards come in. Whatever goal you have (strengthening your relationship, finding a new job, or traveling more), a vision board is a great tool to have during your journey.
So what exactly is a vision board? It’s a visual representation of your goals, says media and life coach Zakiya Larry. These typically poster-size visuals contain all kinds of images and text that represent something you’re trying to accomplish. A vision board relates to your life direction, says Larry.
There are really no rules when it comes to vision boards, since it’s about crafting something that will inspire you to realize your dreams and goals on a daily basis. Some vision boards focus on a singular idea, while others look at the bigger picture of what you want your future to look like.
Does a vision board really work?
Yes, putting your goals on paper in this type of visual format can actually help you achieve them. It’s a notion that Oprah and other celebrities, like Reese Witherspoon, have touted (though Oprah says she doesn’t use a vision board anymore because she’s a “powerful manifestor”). And there is plenty of research to back it up.
In one study, researchers found that, in athletes, visualization was almost as effective as physical practice.
It’s also a fun arts-and-crafts project that allows you to see what your goals would look like once you achieve them, says Larry. So if, for example, you’re hoping to be more comfortable with your body, you might put pictures of happy, healthy women coupled with empowering words like confidence on your vision board.
First, consider what matters most to you
Take a moment of self-reflection and figure out what’s most important to you, says Larry. Think about the one or two areas of your life you really want to change, and focus on the words they elicit. Then, decide if your vision board should represent short-term or long-term change. Larry says using yearly benchmarks is most digestible and easiest to track progress.
Then, gather your inspiration
Hunt through your old stashes of magazines or scour Instagram and Pinterest for visual representations of your goal. If you want to make improvements to your kitchen, for example, clip a picture of a home that inspires you. Dying to finally take a vacay day? Find yourself a palm tree pic. Once you have enough, secure everything to a poster board or inside a page of your journal. (Might we suggest the vision board page in our lovely guided journal?)
If you prefer to go the digital route, there are plenty of free ways to go. For simplicity, you could create a board on Pinterest. But if you want your digital vision board to more closely resemble a physical one, use an app like Canva, which can be used on your phone, tablet, or computer. You don’t need to be a graphic design expert—this program is free (you can pay a premium for added functionality and graphics) and extremely beginner-friendly. Simply import your inspiration photos and arrange them into a collage on your blank digital canvas.
To make your vision board work, put it somewhere you can see it
The trick is to make sure any words you use are short and the images you choose are vivid, attractive, and glossy so your vision board regularly catches your eye, says Larry. Once you’re done, put the vision board in a place that’s within your regular line of sight—your nightstand, your home office, or even by your television—because the key is to look at it as often as possible.
If you’re not comfortable making such a statement with your vision board, Larry suggests creating a smaller version. You can cut your poster board in half or use the largest photo frame you have on hand. Alternatively, you can use your digital vision board as your laptop’s backdrop or your phone’s home screen.
And don’t be afraid to make updates
Though a vision board is a wonderful tool to help you achieve your goals, you can’t just sit back and expect it to magically make things a reality.
Think of your vision board as a living thing—rip pictures off, add new items, or start from scratch if you’re so inclined, says Larry. And be open to variations of what you want to achieve. For example, if your goal is to go vegan, don’t beat yourself up if you’re more of a vegetarian after six months or so.
“Sometimes we miss the fact that we’ve achieved something great because it doesn’t look exactly like we thought,” says Larry.
For more tips on creating a vision board, watch a workshop with Adam Glassman, Gayle King, and Gabby Bernstein here.
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Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.
