Vision Board Your Way to a Better Life!

If you've read or watched the documentary, The Secret, then you've probably heard of a vision board.  A vision board is a simple yet powerful visualization tool that helps to activate the universal law of attraction to help you realize your dreams or goals. 

The vision board concept (also known as a goal board or dream board) has been around for quite some time, but since the release of The Secret has gained a renewed interest and popularity.

What a Vision Board is.

A vision board is simply a visual representation or collage of the things that you want to have, be, or do in your life.  It is commonly a board (poster, cork, or foam) with pictures, drawings and/or writing on it of the things that you want to have in your life, or the things that you want to achieve or become. The purpose of a vision board is to enable the law of attraction to begin pulling in things from your external environment that line up with what it is you want. Being specific in what you put on your board helps to create a continuity with your thoughts; in doing so you can remain focused on what it is you want and likely take action on realizing your dreams or goals.

The Law of Attraction: What is it & Is it for Real?

Law of Attraction is a theory commonly associated with New Age and New Thought philosophy. It posits that one should never dwell on the negative, as the metaphysical principle of life is embodied in a "law of attraction" you get what you think about. The law states that we attract into our lives anything that we give attention to, regardless whether it be positive or negative.

There exists some physiological theories for it, though most people seem to simply pick one side of the fence to belong on and are content to camp there. 

Our personal experience suggests that there is a phenomenon that does occur that supports the notion. 

In September 2008 in the midst of the housing crisis we had two homes for sale in Youngstown.  Both had been cleaned, refurbished and on the market in less than spectacular areas of town.   One had been on the market for two years with nary a bite and the other for 17 months with interest shown, but no action.

What We Did & What Occurred as a Result was Shocking.

I had pictures of each property on my computer at home.  My wife & I had just watched the movie "The Secret" and decided to give it a try.   I put a photo of each house into a separate Publisher Document then overlaid the word "Sold" in large font, in the color red.   I printed each picture out and placed it on our table of other goals.

Four weeks later while in Arizona on a speaking engagement we got two phone calls, one day after the next, from two real estate agents.  Our houses had been shown and offers made to buy "as-is", no inspection, no price haggles, no questions asked!

This...after ZERO activity for over a year on the first house and over six months on the second.  Did I mention on the South side of Youngstown in 2008? 

Luck, you say?  

Pfft.  Come on.   Prove luck exists. 

Some are quick to dismiss the Law of Attraction based on (sorry to offend) what they heard in church or what their religious beliefs are, but on the other hand have used phrases such as "what goes around comes around" or "you get what you ask for".   Similar concept.

My first introduction to this was in 10th grade when I was playing high school lacrosse.  Our coach had painted a list of goals on the locker room wall above the door that we went out each day to the practice field.   He drew our attention to it on the first day of practice, saying that 'that is what we will do this year'.  It outlined our team record for the year, all the way up to winning the state championship.

It ALL  came true just as he had it written and as we saw it each day as we left the locker room to go practice.

While variations exists, there are a few general elements that a well-designed vision board should include, such as:

Visual Items. Since many people are "visually oriented" or "visual learners" having a photo of something you want to be, do, or have is a necessary piece to put on your board. 

I've clipped things from magazines, but more recently, I've taken trade journals and put my own picture on the front cover with a headline of my own devise.  You can be the creator of your own dream.  

Emotion. Your vision board photos should evoke a positive emotional response within you.  There are many reasons for this that are scientifically validated, but just know that simply viewing your vision board should make you happy and fuel your passion to achieve it when you look at it.

Strategically-placed.  Put it where you will likely see it most frequently.  If needed, scan it and print multiples and put them at work, home, etc.  Repetitious viewing of it will dose your mind/psyche with the reminder of what it is you are creating with your intention (key word).  When intention is brisk enough, actions/behaviors fall into place to actualize the dream.

Personal.  We're all different.  You don't have to publicly display your board as your dreams/goals are YOURS, and not everyone has the same dreams/goals as you do and therefore can not relate to them.  It's okay to keep them personal and private.  Though I can tell you that my wife and I make a list of "intentions" every January and review it a few times a year.  We keep them in front of us at home and on our nightstands.

What can two people who share the same goals/dreams/intentions accomplish?

About three years ago, before we moved I found an old list of "intentions" I had written from 2003.  Nearly 75% of the things written on it had come to fruition, including the car I am now driving, my health concerns and others.

It was uncanny.

Recently, I found a list of intentions from 2006 on my computer of things I wanted to be, do and have.  Over 60% of the things on that list had come true.   Things such as: starting a seminar company and speaking around the country, doing paid consulting, having a new home of our desire (not default), having my car paid off, having a child, having my wife work part time, going on vacations with our family, and most recently a TV that we had been wanting for a "steal" of a price.

These are not small things per se.

I must admit though that I don't have $1 million.  Today.

But that will change, I'm sure. 

But if I told you that I did have $1 million, would that convince you to make a vision board? 

For some of you, yes. 

For others...nothing will change your mind...unless you want to first.

When you're ready to claim your destiny...now...