When achieving our dreams and life goals, having a clear vision of what we want is only one part of the equation. It is also critical that we take the steps necessary to make our dreams come true. One way to do this is to create a vision board, a visual representation of our goals and aspirations. Through a vision board, we can focus our energy, prioritize our tasks, and take the first steps toward reaching our goals.

This blog post will look at three famous individuals who have achieved success thanks to their vision boards. They inspire all of us, proving that dreams come true when we take the necessary steps to make them happen. By following their example, we can make our visualization and vision boards work for us and achieve our desired success.

Vision boards encourage you to focus on the essential aspects of your life – personal and professional.

Could thinking and visualizing what you want from life or your business push you to prioritize the most important matters? Your determination can make it happen, but please don’t take my word for it. Not everyone subscribes to the Law of Attraction (as a licensed clinical therapist, it’s not a law based on science). Still, there is something to admire about people who imagine starting their business, visualize doing the work, and filter out unnecessary information that keeps them stuck in a rut.

 

Steve Harvey

Steve Harvey often shares his story of being homeless and living in his car for a few years before becoming successful. Why? To inspire his audience that even if you are coming from humble beginnings, you must subscribe to two concepts:

1) “You have not, because you ask not.” – James 4:2-3

2) “Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.” – Habakkuk 2:2

With those promises from God, Steve challenges us to make a list of 300 wishes to read and reflect on daily for one year. Post the list next to your mirror so you can review and reflect on what you’d like to achieve first thing in the morning. As a God girl, I believe that when I focus on His grace with gratitude, it is much easier to overcome the negativity from the naysayers of your dreams.

Visualization Stimulates the Right Side of Your Brain

Visualization is an essential tool for stimulating the right side of your brain. It helps you access creative ideas, gain new insights, and can be a powerful way to reach solutions and formulate innovative strategies.

Beyonce

Having a vision board, you can see every day while you’re working or using your computer is a fantastic way to motivate yourself and spark creativity. Placing your board near your bed encourages your subconscious to keep mulling over your goals before you go to sleep, giving you a jump start on the day ahead. If you want to be more focused on your goals, like Bey, take a picture of your big scary goal and place it somewhere that will frequently remind you of your aspirations. She has a picture of an Oscar hanging on the wall in her gym!

Overcoming Fear and Taking the Wheel of Your Life

Be the driver of your life, and don’t just sit on the sidelines. Too often, people respond to whatever life throws at them instead of forging their path. You have the reins when you know what you want – from where you live to what car you drive. Taking control gives you the power to make informed decisions that will get you where you want to be.

Oprah Winfrey

Whether you are a master manifester like Oprah or a physical board visionary like Jaleesa Lashay (the interviewer), there is power in having a mental picture of what you seek to achieve. Clear goals can motivate you to take action and work towards them. Vision boards are a powerful tool to help you focus on your goals and stay motivated. You can create a vision board of your ideal life, then use it as a guide for taking small daily steps that will help you get closer to achieving it.

BONUS – Jim Carrey + Oprah

Jim Carrey was one of the first famous people I heard talk about preparing for future success. The comedian’s positive attitude and faith in his talent radiate as he talks to Oprah about his vision to cash his first 10 million dollar check. Focusing on goals can help you recognize the new resources and opportunities you need to reach them. 

How Do You Know Visualizing Will Work For You?

 

As a Floridian living in Alaska, I long to return to warmth and sunshine. However, I’ve had so many life changes since leaving the military that I inevitably lost my way. It takes courage, grit, and grace to keep going even when the path is unclear. Fear of failure and loss kept me from taking action.

Despite the claims of some, vision boards are not “woo woo” or magical, but rather a creative tool that is capable of yielding tangible results if specific guidelines are adhered to. Achieving success with a vision board requires attentiveness to four fundamental principles: (1) simple is sexy, (2) pick your priority, (3) take it step-by-step, and (4) trust your inherent value. Follow these principles to avoid frustration, disappointment, and low self-esteem.

 

Let Me Explain

(1) Simple Is Sexy. Contrary to my corporate and military leadership experience, my small business owner journey changed how I approach decision-making. Leadership would bark orders, and I would figure out how to execute seemingly impossible tasks. As a startup founder, I would confuse my lofty vision with the strategy to get it done. In other words, I was doing too much and needed to get more done.

Tip #1 – Utilize OKRs

Following the concept of “less is more,” create simple Objectives (goals) and Key Results (outcomes). A simple principle in neuroscience is that we make things complicated to protect ourselves from making mistakes. Perfection is rare, especially if you are trying to accomplish all your big scary goals simultaneously.

Let’s say you want to grow your social media presence. That goal is simple but vague because there are too many options and unaddressed variables.

 

(2) Pick your priority. Focus on one aspect of your goal and add some numbers to it. For instance, a better objective is, “I will reach one million YouTube subscribers by the end of 2023.” Sure, you have a photo of the YouTube Golden Button Award plastered on the board as a visual reminder. Now what? How do you determine where to start?

Tip #2 – Focus On Quarterly Results

Time is everyone’s most precious resource. When working towards any goal, you must have some sense of urgency to get it done. Giving yourself a deadline helps your brain filter your to-do list into purposeful action steps. Now, you can start to visualize yourself doing the work.

Key Results for the first 12 weeks might be, “I will post one new video every Thursday and post the link in 10 Facebook groups.”

 

(3) Take it step-by-step. Congratulations! You’ve set your intention with the universe. You have to be like Cardi B and make money moves to achieve your objective.

Tip #3 – Turn Your Vision Board Into An Action Board

Think, “Can I complete this task in 90 days?” There is a difference between vision and experience. You would need to gather some more information. For example, here’s how to create a solid action plan.

Step 1 – Figure out your channel’s average monthly number of views.

Step 2 – Add messaging to your video that requests viewers to subscribe and share with friends.

Step 3 – Ask Facebook group admins if you are allowed to post content in their groups.

Step 4 – Post  in 10 groups after approval.

Step 5 – Set aside time at the end of the quarter to record the data and plan for the next quarter.

 

(4) Trust in your inherent value. It can be easy to fall into the trap of self-doubt and negative thinking, but it’s important to remember why you are worthy of success. Don’t let anyone or anything stop you from creating your desired life. Ask yourself: “Why NOT me? What makes me any less deserving of success than someone else? And if not me, then who and why do they deserve it more?” The power of believing in yourself is the key to unlocking your potential and taking action.

Tip #4 – Mindset Is Everything

Take up space, sis. You deserve the best life has to offer. You are incredible and more than capable of greatness.

Listen to Toni Jones.

All in all, it’s essential to trust your gut instinct and to make decisions that are right for you. Everyone’s circumstances are different, and it’s only sometimes possible to take advice from others. Creating a vision board can help you articulate your dreams and prioritize your goals, no matter what anyone else says. So don’t be afraid to make a vision board and live your life to the fullest.