In a world where manifestation and visualisation techniques are as popular as a cheese toasty, there’s one tool that stands out among the rest, the vision board, also known as a dream board. It’s the classic DIY project for those seeking to manifest their dreams and turn aspirations into reality. But do they work, or are they just pretty collages cluttering up your wall? Let’s dive in and find out.
The Power of Visualisation
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of vision boards, let’s talk about the power of visualisation. Countless studies have shown that visualising success can have a significant impact on achieving goals. Whether it’s imagining yourself nailing a job interview, crossing the finish line of a marathon, or living in your dream home, visualisation activates the same neural pathways in the brain as actually performing the task. It’s like a mental rehearsal that primes you for success.
What Exactly is a Vision or Dream Board?
A vision board is a collage of images, words, and affirmations that represent your goals and aspirations. It’s a visual representation of what you want to manifest in your life, whether it’s material possessions, experiences, or personal growth. By surrounding yourself with images of what you desire, you’re constantly reminding your subconscious mind of your goals, making it more likely that you’ll take action to achieve them.
Examples from the Pros
Still not convinced? Let’s take a look at some high-profile examples of vision board success stories.
1. Oprah Winfrey
When it comes to success stories, Oprah Winfrey is the gold standard. But did you know that she’s a big believer in vision boards? In fact, she credits her success to the power of visualisation. Oprah famously created a vision board depicting her goals and aspirations, including images of the talk show host she wanted to become and the people she wanted to interview. And we all know how that turned out!
2. Jim Carrey
Before Jim Carrey became one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood, he was a struggling comedian trying to make ends meet. But he had a secret weapon: a check for $10 million dollars made out to himself for “acting services rendered.” Carrey wrote the check to himself and dated it for Thanksgiving 1995, five years in the future. He carried that check around in his wallet until it became a reality. Talk about manifesting your dreams!
3. Ellen DeGeneres
Before Ellen DeGeneres became the beloved host of her own talk show, she was a struggling comedian trying to break into the industry. But she had a vision, quite literally. Ellen created a vision board with images of herself on the cover of magazines and hosting her own talk show. She even included a fake Time magazine cover with her face on it. Fast forward a few years, and Ellen’s dreams became a reality.
Alternatively, Jose Silva created the “Silva Method”
Jose Silva, a pioneer in the field of mind programming and creator of the Silva Method, emphasized the power of visualisation and mental imagery as tools for personal growth and self-improvement. While he didn’t specifically advocate for vision boards in the traditional sense, his teachings align closely with the principles behind them.
Silva’s method includes various techniques to enter a relaxed state of mind, often described as the alpha level, where individuals can tap into their subconscious mind and program it for success. Visualisation plays a central role in this process, with practitioners encouraged to mentally rehearse desired outcomes and imagine themselves achieving their goals.
Although Silva’s approach primarily focuses on guided meditation and mental exercises rather than physical collages, the underlying concept is similar. Both vision boards and Silva’s techniques aim to harness the power of the subconscious mind to manifest desired outcomes and create positive change in one’s life.
While there may not be direct statements from Jose Silva endorsing vision boards specifically, his teachings on visualisation and mental programming suggest that he would likely view them as a practical tool for reinforcing positive intentions and aligning the subconscious mind with personal goals. Ultimately, Silva’s emphasis on the importance of visualisation and mental imagery underscores the effectiveness of techniques like vision boards in facilitating personal growth and achieving desired outcomes.
How to Create Your Vision Or Dream Board
Feeling inspired yet? Ready to create your vision board and start manifesting your dreams? Here’s how to get started:
Get Clear on Your Goals
Before you start cutting out pictures from magazines, take some time to get clear on your goals. What do you want to achieve in the next year? Five years? Ten years? Whether it’s career success, financial abundance, or better health, be specific about what you want to manifest.
Gather Your Supplies
To create your vision board, you’ll need some basic supplies, including a poster board, scissors, glue or tape, and plenty of magazines. You can also use photos, quotes, and affirmations printed from the internet.
Start Collaging
Once you have your supplies gathered, it’s time to start collaging! Flip through magazines and cut out images and words that resonate with your goals and aspirations. Don’t overthink it—trust your intuition and choose images that spark joy and excitement.
Arrange and Glue
Once you have a pile of images and words, it’s time to arrange them on your poster board. Get creative with your layout and have fun with it! Once you’re happy with the arrangement, glue everything down and let it dry.
Display Your Vision Board
Once your vision board is complete, find a prominent place to display it where you’ll see it every day. Hang it on your bedroom wall, place it on your desk, or lean it against your dresser—whatever works best for you. The key is to keep your vision board somewhere where you’ll see it often and be reminded of your goals.
Do They Work?
So, back to the million-dollar question. Do vision boards work? The answer is…it depends. You are the main factor in whether your vision board works or not. Many of the personal development and mindset coaches will talk about the power of mindset, visualisation, and meditation. The law of attraction, manifesting and the law of vibration. This means that the power ultimately lies within you and your set of beliefs, it’s either you believe or you don’t believe. Like any tool or technique, vision boards are only effective if you use them consistently and take action towards your goals. Simply creating a vision board won’t magically manifest your dreams overnight. You still have to put in the work and take inspired action towards your goals.
However, there’s no denying the power of visualisation and the impact it can have on your mindset and motivation. By surrounding yourself with images of what you want to manifest, you’re constantly reinforcing your goals and programming your subconscious mind for success. If you are constantly thinking about lack and limitation then that’s what you will attract, lack and limitation.
Try this “Prosperity, Money and Gratitude Affirmations Five-minute Meditation” for the next 21 days.
In the end, whether or not vision boards work is ultimately up to you. If you approach them with an open mind and a willingness to take action, they can be a powerful tool for manifesting your dreams and creating the life you desire. So why not give it a try? Who knows, you might just surprise yourself with what you can achieve. If you enjoyed this article you might like to read “How to Develop a Positive Money Mindset”
