A vision board is a powerful tool that can help you set clear goals and focus on achieving those goals. It’s also a fun and easy craft project! Check out the Top Five Crazy-Cheap Tools You Need to Make a Vision Board Today (seriously low-cost!) at the bottom of this post.

Do vision boards really work?

Yes! A vision board works because it forces you to visualize your future every time you look at it.
There is countless research and anecdotes about the power of visualization. When we imagine ourselves running through an activity, our brain actually prepares for that activity. Think about the Olympics (or any sport). When you watch an athlete before their performance, they are always warming up and mentally rehearsing.
Why? Because when you mentally rehearse you create a “mental model,” or a story about the way something will be. When you do this regularly, you brain becomes accustomed to the pattern you are envisioning.
This is especially important if you hit obstacles to your goal. When your brain is programmed to see things a certain way, an obstacle becomes a speed bump that your mental model can work around instead of a roadblock that stops your progress entirely.
Think about when a figure skater falls instead of sticking a landing. If they have been creating mental models of their performance, their brain instantly knows where to go next. A skater who doesn’t create those models will have a harder time remembering what comes next after a fall and might lose confidence resulting in more errors.

I think about what I want. Isn’t that enough?

If you are truly spending time visualizing the future you want, then yes. It’s probably enough. But the reality is that most of us don’t spend the time every day to see what we want for our future. We don’t take the time to think about our big goals.
The law of attraction is the belief that a person can focus her thoughts to be positive or negative and then attract those types of experiences into her life. If you follow that belief, then dedicating time to focus on the positive things you want in your life will open you up to those things. Simply thinking about reaching your goals will actually make it easier for you to achieve those goals.

How do I start?

Vision boards are great tools to visual a positive future. A vision board will make you really think about what you want to accomplish and help you to focus on what is important to you.

1. Think

What do you want? What do you really want? What matters to you? Be specific. Do you want money or do you want security of being able to pay your bills? Write a list of your goals. Think about how you want to feel as you achieve these goals. Write down those emotions in one word like joy, love, freedom, peace, etc.

2. Gather supplies

(Check out the Top Five Crazy-Cheap Tools at the bottom of this post – I got everything I needed from the dollar store for less than $8! And you probably already have some supplies at home.)

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a penny more)! Read my full disclosure policy.

Vision Board Supplies

Canvas, poster board, paper, journal (any format will work but choose something physical rather than electronic)
Glue (I prefer Mod Podge)
Markers, paints, pens
Magazines (or printed images)
Scissors

3. Create a work space

Find a place where you can spread out your materials undisturbed. Turn on soothing lights or light candles. Play music. Take time to breathe and relax.

4. Choose words and pictures

Keeping your goals in mind, browse magazines or the Internet to find images, words, and phrases that capture your attention. Cut (or print) anything that has meaning for you. Keep referring to your list as you work.
Remember to choose things that make you feel good. You might also include a photo of yourself when you felt wonderful. Seeing your own picture will help capture that feeling when you look at your board.

5. Prep Your Board

If you are using a canvas or poster board, you might consider painting the background first. You can use one color, or you can try a blending of colors.

To blend colors, use 3-4 different colors. Try to pick complementary colors with varying light and dark shades.

Squeeze dollops of paint onto the canvas.
Using a large paintbrush, make broad strokes side to side on the canvas. Start at the end with the lighter color and work your way to the darker color.

Use long strokes and work from edge to edge, making sure to cover the whole canvas. Try not to go over an area too often or you could end up with one dark color instead of a blend colors.

5. Play around with layout

Once you have images and words for all your goals, start laying them out on your canvas or paper. Play around with what you have until you have a design that you like.

It is okay to remove images or words that don’t quite fit or to go back and look again if you feel an area needs more. Remember to keep some white space so your choices can stand out and not feel cluttered.

6. Finalize your design

When you feel good about a design, it’s time to glue all your pieces into place. Mod Podge is a great glue for this. Spread a little Mod Podge on the back of each image or sayings.
Once everything is glued down, you can cover the whole thing with a layer of Mod Podge (or other glue) to seal it and give a finished look.

7. Keep it present

Put your vision board somewhere you will see it regularly. You want to keep your goals present in your mind and life.

Spend about five minutes visualizing daily. Keep yourself open to your goals and good things will come.