Seeing is believing, and what we believe is what we achieve…right?

Of all the principles of success, the creation of vision is the simplest, yet a lot of leaders fail to make it a reality. I don’t mean the achievement of goals. What I mean is the attainment of what you really TRULY want, long term. How do you transform desire into reality?

Futurist Joel Barker once said, “Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world.

When it comes to transforming yourself and building a life filled with big dreams, it often helps to have something tangible to refer back to–a visual representation of what and WHY you are striving toward your specific goals, dreams, desires.

An engaging way to accomplish this is by creating a vision board or visual outline of your overall goals for the month, year, and beyond. A board or visual outline can help you turn your dreams into beliefs, and those beliefs into achievements. Not only is this a great constant reminder, it also acts as a form of accountability.

Make a unique vision board that best fits your learning style and motivational needs. Cut out images, write quotes, highlight specific goals, etc. Be sure to clearly define your vision for the future you want and for the future you deserve…

Check out these 6 tips on how to create your own vision board:

1. List your goals.

Start off by listing your goals. What are your overall objectives? Divide them up into categories such as health, work, and social. Doing so can help bring the ideas to the forefront of your mind and create a clearer plan of action.

2. Create an action plan.

Start by focusing on one of your goals and list the steps you need to accomplish that goal. Then identify the actions you need to take for each step. Set an attainable deadline and include your plan on your vision board. 

3. Inspiration search.

What separates a vision board from a list? The visual aspect of course. Populate your board with eye-catching elements that inspire. Having beautiful photos that remind you of your goals and passions will dramatically increase the success of your vision board or outline. Gather old magazines photos, newspaper clippings, and other items that can be put onto a board that reminds you of your goals. Have some fun with it.

4. Speaking words of wisdom…

Reinforce your goals and overall vision by adding quotes, mantras, inspirational sayings, and words of encouragement. Any buzz words that stand out or help to strengthen your daily motivation.

5. Reflect on your learning.

Journaling while creating your vision board is a great way to reflect on lessons you’ve learned, keep track of tips and strategies, and document your physical and emotional reactions on your evolutionary journey. This can help identify what is working well or if there are any changes that you can make. Following the deadline you set in your action plan, you can also review your goals to determine if you are still on track or if any adjustments are needed.

6. Share and inspire.

When your vision board is complete, show it off to others. Actively talk about your passions, dreams, and goals out loud. By doing so, you’ll be taking another step toward making them come true and attainable in the near future.

Evolutionary Leaders are Visionary Leaders

Vision boards are great tools to maximize each season of your life.  They not only organize your mind and offer a visual representation of what you desire, they also provide accountability, keeping your goals at the forefront of your mind.  Vision boards bring together your ideas, turn them into tangible goals, and motivate you to perform at a higher level to achieve incredible results.