Vision boards DO work! Five examples of vision boards that came true
From the moment I created my first vision board, I was hooked.
I started vision boarding during a time of pain. I had just experienced a breakup, struggled to find work while raising a child as a young single mom. Depression had 100% took over my brain.
Luckily a dear friend and mentor invited me to my first ever vision board party.
That first year I accomplished something that I’d failed at three times before:
I finished the GRE.
Not only did I finish, but I scored well enough to gain acceptance to the only grad school I applied for.
Convinced this new vision board thing was magic, I created another one the following year.
That year, I put 75,000 on my vision board in bold green numbers. I wanted to land a job right out of grad school with a $75K salary.
My first offer was $75K.
Since then, I refuse to start a year without creating a new, big vision.
Many people want to build a vision board but don’t know where to start or don’t know what one looks like.
In this post, I’m sharing five vision boards that I created in the past to manifest my biggest dreams to give you a few vision board ideas of your own.
#1: Financial freedom vision board
I created this vision board in 2017 after setting a goal to pay off all of my student loan debt as quickly as possible.
After years of being a babysitter/waitress, I couldn’t imagine what I’d do with the salary I was now being paid at my corporate job so I decided to become debt-free.
I had this big dream of spending time with friends and family, excelling at work, AND (instead of spending money on material items) I’d pay off my $42K in college and grad school debt in the process.
By the end of that year, I’d moved in with my aunt who lived in New Jersey, cut my living expenses in half, and got rid of my car (because I’d be able to take the bus everywhere or walk). My debt was paid off within 2 years of creating this vision board.
#2: Writing a book vision board
After moving to New Jersey to live with my aunt I met the man who’d later become my husband. He’s an author and on one of our first dates, we engaged in a spirited argument about marketing books.
He believed that a famous author did not market her book and I argued that she did. Without going to far doan a rabbit hole of mindless arguments and details, I’ll tell you this.
By the end of that “debate” I decided I’d write a book, too, because I wanted to be knowledgeable about the process, what it looks like and feels like to create a book and put it out there in the world.
(Honestly, I wanted to be ready for our next debate.)
By the end of this year, I’d written, edited, marketed, and published my first book. I enjoyed the entire process and look forward to writing another. :)
#3: Finish the projects I start.
This was my very first vision board so it brings a lot of joy to my heart to look back on where it all began.
My biggest problem before I became a goal-getter, motivator, speaker (or whatever I come across as on the internet) was that I couldn’t finish anything I started.
There was a laundry list of things I tried. Here are a few:
Ran an Avon business that didn’t make more than a few hundred bucks
A kids arts and craft box that sold exactly 2 boxes
A mom blog
Created a card-making Etsy shop (that sold exactly 0 cards)
Built a marketing blog that ended after 1 post
Joined one of those MLM companies
My goals were very small with this vision board. I wanted to simply finish something that I started. I was frustrated with myself for always beginning things and not having enough energy or stamina (or belief in myself) to be successful.
I wanted to believe in myself again and trust myself enough to finish what I started.
This was the year I took the GRE and got accepted into the grad school program that changed everything for me.
#4: Couple’s Vision Board
The moment I met my husband I kinda knew he was special. Though I didn’t break out the magazines to create a vision board until about a year-and-a-half into our relationship.
Part of me wanted to make sure our relationship goals were aligned before I spent too much time “chillin’” with this wonderful guy I met.
(Side note: My biggest fear in life was to spend 5 years with a guy that had no intention on getting married.)
So, after a year or so, I decided it was time to get aligned… with a vision board, of course.
We created this vision board together and it featured both his goals for us and mine.
We wanted to enjoy experiences together and with family, we wanted to explore the world (on a large and small level), respect each other at all times, and maybe find our way to marriage and a house.
By the end of that year… he proposed (April), moved to Maryland (in July), we got a house (August), got married (October), and settled in by the end of the year.
#5: Slowdown and reconnect with my purpose.
By 2020, I found myself in an interesting predicament. I’d increased my income to have more than enough to cover my basic necessities and I’m also debt-free. I’m no longer on the market, dating questionable men now that I’ve found my husband. I’ve also become the kind of mother I’ve always wanted to be for my daughter: not the teenage mom who uses her age as an excuse but as the role model that you CAN be successful in this world no matter your circumstances.
I believe in myself.
So, what now?
What goals do you set once you feel great about who you are?
Today my options to choose from are a lot different from the options I had access to in the past.
I finally get to make different choices now based on what’s important to me - not based on scarcity, fear, depression, or loneliness.
What goal do you set then?
With this vision board, I wanted to slow down.
I realize dthat I ahve spent the past five years always working towards something a new goal, a new skill, strengthening a relationship.
But my life (and your life) doesn’t always have to be about the next big thing. Sometimes it can be about enjoying this day. Sometimes it can be about finding the beauty in the sunrise and sunset.
Your vision can be about enjoying the love around you or supporting the causes you love in a way that feels natural.
Your vision can be about becoming more of who you already are.
That was my vision for 2020.
Vision boards can help you create whatever life you want to build in this world. There are no rules to how to create a vision board as long as your vision is clear and rooted in your purpose, you will create a life that you feel great about.
Have you created a vision board before? Share your vision here in the comments.
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About the author
Cyrene is a fun and accomplished workshop facilitator, learning and development guru and Human Resources professional. Being at the helm of Thrive Lounge has been a long-time dream. Through vision board workshops she plans to accomplish two-way learning. Sharing her vast years of knowledge to motivate and encourage others; while simultaneously getting the reward of great energy, ideas and questions to ponder back from each group. A super win-win. Please join our Thrive Lounge community so you too can benefit!