Forget Vision Boards: Try This Proven Method Instead
Vision boards don't work. At least, not for everyone.
There, I said it. For some, this statement might sound almost blasphemous, given how many people, including highly successful individuals, credit vision boards as a crucial part of their journey. But for me—and maybe for you, too—vision boards have simply never delivered on their promise. If you’ve felt the same, know that you’re not alone. In this post, I want to share my personal experience with vision boards, why they never worked for me, and the method I’ve found that resonates more deeply with my goals and vision for the future.
My Journey with Vision Boards
My relationship with vision boards began decades ago. In fact, I’ve created a vision board in every decade of my adult life. The idea of visually mapping out my dreams and goals was something that always appealed to me. So, like many others, I jumped in with both feet, hoping that this creative process would be the key to achieving my ambitions.
In those early days, before the internet made everything more accessible, creating a vision board was a labor-intensive process. I’d gather stacks of magazines—my own and those generously donated by family members and friends—and spend hours cutting out pictures that represented my goals. I’d meticulously glue these images onto a board, aiming to create a collage that would inspire me daily.
But here’s the thing: it didn’t. Despite all the effort, the vision board didn’t motivate me to take action. It felt more like a tedious art project than a powerful tool for manifesting my future. I’d hang the board somewhere I could see it every day, but the inspiration just wasn’t there. Instead of feeling energized, I felt drained by the process.
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The Digital Shift
Fast forward to a few years ago when I created my last vision board. By this time, the digital world had transformed the way we approach tasks like this. I thought that moving my vision board to a digital format might eliminate the parts of the process that felt like a chore. I created my vision board on my laptop, carefully selecting images online, and set it as my desktop background. It was my first digital vision board, and I was hopeful that this time it would be different.
One of the goals on that vision board was to graduate with a nutrition degree in 2019. I remember it vividly because that goal never came to fruition. I suffered a total burnout and never finished my final year of earning that degree. This disappointment cemented a realization for me: despite the convenience of digital tools, the process of creating a vision board still felt like a chore. It didn’t inspire me to take action or keep me connected to my goals.
I Finally Quit
After years of trying different methods, I finally accepted that vision boards just weren’t for me. This realization was both freeing and clarifying. I no longer felt the pressure to create something that didn’t resonate with me. Letting go of vision boards allowed me to explore other methods that truly aligned with how I think and what motivates me.
Transition to Journaling
As I stepped away from vision boards, I gradually shifted towards journaling as a more natural way to capture and visualize my goals. I’ve always believed in the importance of having a vision for myself, my future, and my family. But instead of expressing this vision through pictures on a board, I found that writing it down in a journal worked better for me.
Journaling Tools I Use
The Power of Words
For me, the act of writing specific words or phrases like "dream vacation" in my journal holds more power than cutting out and pasting a picture. Words resonate with me in a way that images don’t. Revisiting these journal entries frequently keeps my visions at the forefront of my mind, inspiring me in a way that vision boards never did. The simplicity of writing is more powerful and meaningful to me than the visual aspect of vision boards ever was.
Creating a Personal System
Over time, I developed a personal system that works better for me. I don’t dedicate a specific section of my journal to visioning; instead, I incorporate my goals and dreams naturally as they arise. This organic approach feels less forced and more aligned with how I think. Embracing journaling has allowed me to stay connected with my visions without the burden of creating and maintaining a physical or digital board.
Acknowledging Different Methods
While vision boards have worked wonders for many people, they’re not the only way to stay connected to your goals. If you’ve tried vision boards and they haven’t resonated with you, that’s okay. There are other simple methods you can try. For example, some people write their goals on post it type notes and stick them on their bathroom mirror. This method might seem simple, but it can be just as effective as a vision board.
Finding What Resonates
The key is to find a method that resonates with you. Be honest with yourself about what works and what doesn’t. Just as I realized that vision boards weren’t for me, you might discover that a different method aligns more closely with your personal style and mindset. My journaling practice evolved naturally once I stopped forcing myself to create vision boards, and it’s been a far more effective tool for keeping my goals alive.
Journaling Guide
If you’re curious about journaling as a tool for goal-setting and visioning, I invite you to explore it further. I’ve found it to be a powerful alternative to vision boards, and I’m confident it could work for you, too. To help you get started, consider checking out my free journaling guide, which offers tips and insights into how to make journaling an effective part of your life.
Also, check out the companion video to this post.
