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Thanks to Mama O (Oprah Winfrey) I learnt about vision boards a few years ago. I have created various boards over the years and last week I was inspired to create another one, so out came the magazines, scissors and glue and I got down to business.
What is a vision board?
It is a board that displays images and notes about the dreams that you have for yourself or things that you want to do or be in your life. It’s a clear, visual reminder of everything that you would like to achieve.
Why create a vision board?
Because it’s fun! How often do you get to cut up pictures and glue them to a board? Perhaps the last time you did anything along these lines was in Primary School. It’s hard being an adult!
Fun isn’t the only reason, in fact it is the probably the least important reason to create a vision board.
The truth is that there’s power in visualising the things that you want to become a reality. One of my favourite stories is of how Jim Carey put into action the power of visualisation.
Before Jim Carrey was rich or famous he would visualise the things he wanted becoming a reality. He even wrote himself a cheque for 10 million dollars (before he had anywhere near that amount of money) for acting services rendered and gave himself three years, dating it November 1995.
Just before November 1995 Jim Carrey found out he was going to make 10 million dollars for Dumb and Dumber. Obviously he did more than just write himself a cheque. In the interview where he shares this story with Oprah she says, “Visualisation works if you work hard.” Not only did Jim Carrey visualise using the cheque he created, but he also put in the work needed to bring his dream to reality.
By creating a vision board you will be using the same technique Jim Carey used with his cheque. Creating something visual that represents your dreams.
Why does visualisation work?
Science has shown that your brain can’t tell the difference between a visualised image and reality. Isn’t that awesome! A Harvard study created two groups of people and taught both an easy five-fingered piano piece. One group physically practiced the melody for two hours a day for five days. The other group just visualised playing the melody. At the end of the study it was found that the new neurological wiring that was created as a result of the learning was almost identical in both groups. Isn’t that amazing!
Simply by visualising what you want you can trick your mind into believing that you already have it, helping to make it a reality.
How do you make the board?
Easy-peasy!
First of all think about the things you want to achieve or the dreams you have for your life. You may want to write a list. For me some of the things that I want to see happen include:
- Publish numerous books on Amazon and hit the Top 100 list in humour and entertainment
- Run a marathon
- Earn $5,000 each month from passive income
- Write on a daily basis
- See more of the world, including New York
You can see these dreams on my vision board. As you can see I’ve left space at the bottom of the cardboard for when I have new dreams that pop up.
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These are the things you will need to create your vision board:
- A piece of large cardboard
- Pictures of the things you want to achieve & quotes that motivate you (these could be from magazines or printed off the Internet)
- Scissors
- Glue
Arrange the pictures and words on the cardboard and glue them in place. That’s it!
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Where should you keep your board?
Anywhere you like, but make sure it’s placed somewhere where you will be able to see it on a daily basis. Mine is hanging on the wall behind on my bed. When I sit at my desk to write it is in clear view. This is important. The more you focus on the pictures on the board the bigger the impact.
How will pictures on a board change your life?
The truth is they won’t. If you create a vision board but don’t actively visualise using it it won’t do a damn thing for your life. I am super guilty of doing this. But every day is a chance to get it right.
The power of the vision board lies in you taking the time to visualise, looking at the pictures and dreams represented on your board, feeling and seeing what your life would be like if you already had the things you want. It is in the practice of feeling like you already have the things you want that the magic happens. You are tricking your subconscious mind into believing that what you want is already a reality.
All this may sound a bit too woo woo for you, but the truth is that it has worked for other people so there’s no reason why it won’t work for you. Take the time to create a vision board, hang it somewhere where you will see it all the time and practice visualising everyday. Amazing things might happen! What have you got to lose?
