If you would like to get clearer about your future priorities, a helpful approach can be creating a Vision Board. I have been doing mine for several years now and it has enabled me to get so much clearer about what matters to me in my life and work and build the life I want. This is a great exercise if you are comfortable to get creative and visual.*
How do I create a vision board?
- Start by collecting images that resonate with you about the life you want to live – you can use photos you have taken, images from magazines, or print images from online.
- Get a big board (this could be the side of a large cardboard box or you can purchase a more fancy version online), scissors and a glue stick, and get stuck in!
- In addition to images, add words, statements and quotes that speak to you too.
Don’t put any restrictions in your way – think big, brave and ‘blue sky’. Your vision board is NOT the place to be practical.
For example, if you love the thought of working abroad or travelling as part of your role, include the visuals that represent this for you. Don’t stop yourself with thoughts like ‘oh but what about Visa restrictions / budget / childcare’. You will have plenty of time to get practical further down the line. For this exercise, allow yourself to imagine your life with no barriers or blockers.
Some people stop here. But I like to get more specific. So, I add more text to mine. Things like:
→ Goals for this year (which I love ticking off)
→ Long term goals (which keep me thinking big and I really love ticking these off!)
→ My non-negotiables in my working life.
They key thing is that this is a personal exercise and there’s not one ‘right’ way to create yours.
When you have completed it, put the board somewhere prominent that you see often. It serves as an inspiration and a reminder.
Keep looking at it with fresh eyes and use it as a living document.
But does it actually work or is it just a pretty board to have in your office?
Yes! There are lots of blogs about manifestation which you can go off and read. But I wanted to share a couple of examples of why I think it has worked for me.
1. It makes me talk about things. Several times this year I have told people that one of the goals I have set for myself this year, and have put on my vision board, is to do some guest lecturing. By talking about it to people as I go about my work and life, it makes them aware of my goals and opens doors. This year I achieved this goal and did a remote guest lecture with GLOBIS MBA in Japan about Networking. It arose through a conversation with someone from my network that I met at the Thinkers 50 conference, have kept in touch with, and who is one of the programme leads at GLOBIS.
2. It keeps things front of mind and serves as a prompt when things have dropped down the list. I am (slowly) writing a book: a careers book to take the reader through the process I take my recruitment coaching clients through – working out what is important in your career and then making it happen. It’s all in my head. That unfortunately doesn’t bring it to life on the page or help me come up with a cool angle! But I get a little jolt when I look at my Vision Board including my goal to get my first draft done by the end of the year. This is so much more effective than having one’s objectives online somewhere tucked away in a folder you rarely see.
*I’m not the arty type, what could I do instead?
Other formats I have seen (if you aren’t into creative art projects!) include:
- A mind map with words instead of images
- A PowerPoint / Canva or similar on the laptop
- A sketch note / bullet journal
- Or complete the template on my resources page which will allow you to reflect and write the things that matter most to you.
You might also be interested in this blog: It’s not selfish to think about what you want (and it might be life changing.)
Later this year I will be running an open coaching programme for leaders who want to invest time in themselves and work out their goals for next year. There will be a Vision Board session involved. Get in touch if you would like more details. (ellie@ellierichpoole.com)