have a vision

I was having trouble concentrating week before the Fourth of July weekend (in addition to being a holiday, I was also burning a few PTO days to make it a 5-day extravaganza), I decided to make a vision board. Yes, I was looking for a way to procrastinate, and I probably could have used the time to do something like write my book or do my job, but I took a few minutes to do it any way.

A vision board is a visual resource that helps you focus on your goals. Using images, you can brainstorm the direction you want to take your life.

The process of developing a vision board allows you to exercise creativity while also taking a close look at where you are now and where you want to be. Think of it as a treasure map for your life.

I made my vision board using Adobe InDesign. I took a couple of design classes in college, which by no means makes me an expert, but instead makes me comfortable getting my way around the program. I wanted mine to look collage-like, so I made 12 object boxes of varying dimensions and pieced them together like a puzzle.

Next, I made a list of goals and dreams I have more my life and looked for photos that would correlate. For example, I would like to write a best-selling novel, develop a screenplay and spend a year living abroad in a city like London. You can see these goals depicted in this selection from my vision board.



With that, I made a PDF of the completed project and printed off a few copies, which I have sitting in select places around my home. I also made a JPEG of it, which I made my background on my computer at work and home. These serve as constant reminders for me. Also, the process of creating it has me feeling more motivated than ever to pursue my goals.

I encourage everyone to make a vision board of their own — it's a great exercise. Check out these links for more information:
What The Heck's A Vision Board—and How Can It Change Your Life?
How to Make a Vision Board
How to Make a Vision Board (step by step)