How do you choose the best images for your vision board?

I always start with a visualization meditation and reflect on where I was one year ago, where I am today, and where (and WHO) I want to be one year from now. I consider all the areas of the wheel of life, such as those listed here, and write out a few "SMART" (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Sensitive) goals for each, and then think about 5 steps to reverse engineer them. I then pick out a bunch of random magazine clippings and let the Universe inspire me and connect the images and words to my goals. I sometimes print personal photos that motivate me, like my kids, but a beautiful, organic tapestry of my vision unfolds just with this simple yet effective process.

In my experience, for a “vision” board it’s all about the images! Have the images tell your story! Think in pictures NOT words! Pretend you’re making a movie without audio! It forces you to tell your story without being able to describe what you’re seeing! The images have to be powerful enough to carry your vision without “telling” the story! The more powerful your images, the more motivated you’ll be to follow them! It’s all about “seeing,” not “telling” your story!

I choose images and phrases, affirmations or mantras that align with my goals, but also my central "why," my mission vision and purpose. It is so critical to have that as the focal point, and everything else flows from there.

Relax and trust what shows up. Let your inner intelligence be you guide. What shows up is much more powerful when you don’t “think” to hard!

I love seeing everyone's personalities unfold onto the vision board, as a direct insight and reflection on who they are as a person and what they wish to achieve and leave as a legacy on the world.

Isn’t it fascinating that one picture cut from a magazine could speak differently to each of us? Like a beautiful beach a picture can hold a myriad of meanings. It is a call to adventure, the thrill of embracing the unknown to some. It’s a sanctuary to others, offering solace and calm amidst life’s chaos. To many it is memories of childhood vacations with family. Create a vision board that ignites your curiosity, captures your dreams, and paints the canvas of your journey ahead.

I then revisit my vision board quarterly (sometimes more frequent depending how imperative the goal is) and revamp or recreate one annually. The big key is to not just create it and set it aside, but to always keep iterating and innovating.

The regular and frequent vision board check-ins here are key to success. Think of the adages "if you don't use it, you lose it" or "out of sight, out of mind." The same goes for your goals and dreams. If you are not revisiting them regularly, they may fall by the wayside. When you become an active participant in what the universe has in store for you, you will be so surprised and grateful in what you manifest this year!

Displaying your vision board is like the table for a dinner party where you have multiple place settings. Maybe even a beautiful centerpiece. Looking at your table you anticipate all the good things to be served ahead. It could be mean laughter and great conversations. It could be your focal point throughout the day to align with your goals and spark collaborations. The table is set and reset like your vision board. Each glance at a picture reinforces your aspirations for manifesting those dreams. Keep it out in the open.

You can do your own vision board, but there is also the fun of getting a small group together to do it, too. Gathering friends for a vision boarding session isn’t merely about crafting boards, but shared discovery. It is an opportunity to explore our “why’s” together. As we age, aligning our intentions and dreams is even more important, as it is fostering, deep connections, and finding common shared aspirations. It is the laughter learning and camaraderie towards a brighter more purposeful future self. Dreams are better shared, don’t you think?

A vision board is a living, breathing, dynamic document. It is meant to be revised and revisited. Though it may be deeply personal, I encourage you to share it with others, explaining what the images and words mean to you. There is great power in speaking your goals out loud and putting them out there to the universe. I have been able to manifest so many abundant things in my personal and professional life since vision-boarding, we hope you give it a try!

The most powerful thing about vision boards is that they transcend our regular means of defining our goals by utilizing only images! Images translate directly to our brain! They are much more powerful than words! Make your board fluid - always open to new opportunities that reflect the changing you!