Building a vision board forces you to be realistic about what you want to accomplish. It offers the boost of continually seeing the best possible outcome.
Putting your vision board where you will always see it will remind you of the result you are working for.
A vision board should highlight life values. The words, phrases, quotations, sketches and pictures put on a vision board reflect your expectations and objectives.
When you are frustrated, your vision board is a welcome reminder of why you chose these goals in the first place.
In a nutshell, you create a digital (or actual) poster or bulletin board using pictures and words of circumstances or physical items that you want to manifest.
Think about the objectives you want to concentrate on and include them on your board.
A vision board for money is a tool to help reach better personal money management. In and of itself, it’s not achieving the purpose. Making up the board is only the first step.
How does a financial vision board help achieve goals?
One image may not do it, so you may need many images to illustrate what you are working for.
More detail helps make your purpose more concrete, rather than just a dream you might or might not one day get around to achieving.
The psychology of how it works is clear, but many people believe vision boards transcend science and are magical.
A vision board does not mean creating magical solutions to your money woes. It is about surrounding yourself with intentions and motivation so that it feels like your life is magical when you accomplish your objectives. This is a subtle but noticeable difference.
What should you put on your financial vision board?
If there is something you are saving for or just want to do in the future, put in on the vision board.
To inspire you to save, you might have photographs of your dream home, images of your perfect holiday, a renovation project that you’ve always wanted to do, your dream vehicle or maybe a fantasy wedding.
You can also set non-material targets, such as “work less or “spend more time with my family”. Whatever you put down, make sure it is things you want to accomplish.
Facts and figures
Some individuals like to work out statistics and figures to add to their financial vision board to illustrate how much each goal would cost.
If you are inspired by that, go for it. But remember that the primary objective of the vision board is to keep you fired up and on track to put away the money to fulfil your goals.
If you feel less than fired up when looking at a huge number, balance them out.
Before you get started, have those numbers in your head as rough estimates. If you have saved a decent chunk, then begin to work towards a real number.
Change it up if you need to
If motivational quotes do not work for you, make some adjustments. Or better still, if you have accomplished any of the milestones on your vision board, celebrate with congratulatory images or even a new picture to reflect new goals.
As you walk the often-bumpy path to financial wellness, a financial vision board is a fun and imaginative way to keep focused.
There’s no obligation to make things perfect because the board is special to you and there is no shame in fixing what’s not working for you.
How to use your financial vision board
Keep your vision board on the nightstand or in an open space. Spend time visualising, affirming, believing and internalising your objectives each morning and evening.
The time you spend envisioning in the evening just before bed is particularly powerful. The thoughts and images in your mind during the last 45 minutes before going to sleep are the ones that will constantly replay themselves in your subconscious mind during the night, and the thoughts and images you start with every day will help you build the future you want.
Look at the pictures that reflect your successes and appreciate how well the Law of Attraction works in your life.
As time passes, and your dreams begin to manifest, recognise that the vision board is working. Do not remove the images that reflect the objectives you have already accomplished.
Effective visual reminders of what you have already drawn into your life are the fulfilment of the priorities of your vision board.
Creating a new vision board every year is a smart idea. Your dreams will develop and expand as you continue to grow.
Your vision board must be kept and loved. It not only chronicles your aspirations, but your progress and accomplishments as well.
This article first appeared in MyPF. Follow MyPF to simplify and grow your personal finances on Facebook and Instagram.