Inspiration

Vision Board: Ideas & Tips to Inspire Your Goals

Creating a vision board can be a meaningful exercise in clarifying goals and desires. A vision board can serve as a compass, guiding actions and decisions in alignment with our true intentions. By carefully selecting and arranging images, words, and symbols that represent our aspirations, we gain a deeper understanding of what truly matters to us and what we want to achieve in our lives.

In this guide, we’ll explore what a vision board is and how to create one that embodies your unique aspirations. We’ll also cover vision board ideas and inspiration that will spark your creativity and ignite your imagination.

What is a Vision Board?

A vision board, also known as a dream board or goal board, is a visual representation of your goals, dreams, and aspirations. A vision board is usually a collage of images, words, and symbols that reflect the things you want to achieve, acquire, or experience in life.

The concept behind a vision board is based on the law of attraction, which suggests that by visualizing and focusing on what you want, you can manifest those desires into reality.

To create a vision board, you typically gather materials such as magazines, photographs, printed images, inspirational quotes, and other visual elements that resonate with your goals. You then arrange these items on a board or a poster, creating a collage that represents your desired outcomes.

Vision boards can be a constant source of inspiration and motivation, helping you stay focused on your goals amidst the distractions and challenges that may arise along the way.

A scene of creating a vision board from photos, phrases, and paper

What Does a Vision Board Do?

A vision board serves several purposes and functions as a tool to support your goal-setting process. A vision board can act as a catalyst, aligning your thoughts, emotions, and actions towards your goals. Through visualization and positive reinforcement, a vision board helps clarify your intentions, fosters focus and motivation, and cultivates a mindset of possibility and abundance.

Here are some key functions of a vision board:

  1. Clarifies Goals and Aspirations: A vision board helps you clarify and define your goals and aspirations. By visually representing your desires, you gain clarity about what you want to achieve, acquire, or experience in different areas of your life, such as career, relationships, health, and personal growth.
  2. Promotes Visualization: Engaging with a vision board involves visualizing yourself already living the life you desire. By regularly looking at your board and imagining yourself experiencing your desired outcomes, you strengthen your belief in your goals and cultivate a sense of possibility.
  3. Provides Focus and Motivation: A vision board serves as a visual reminder of your goals and aspirations. It keeps your objectives at the forefront of your consciousness and enhances your focus and motivation. Regularly engaging with your board helps you stay on track, especially during challenging times, and keeps you connected to your desired outcomes.
  4. Inspires and Energizes: Visual images have the power to inspire and evoke emotions. By including images, words, and symbols that resonate with your goals, a vision board taps into your emotions and generates a sense of excitement, inspiration, and enthusiasm. It fuels your motivation and energizes your pursuit of your dreams.
  5. Reinforces Positive Thinking: A vision board surrounds you with positive images and affirmations related to your goals. By consistently exposing yourself to these positive influences, you create a mindset that is aligned with your desires. This positive thinking can help attract positive experiences, opportunities, and people into your life.
  6. Promotes Action and Accountability: While a vision board is a visual representation of your goals, it’s important to remember that action is essential for achieving them. A vision board serves as a guide and reminder to take proactive steps towards your aspirations. It encourages you to create action plans, make decisions, and hold yourself accountable for progress.
  7. Boosts Personal Expression and Creativity: Creating a vision board is a creative process that allows you to express yourself visually. It provides a space for personal exploration, self-expression, and reflection. As you curate images, quotes, and symbols that align with your goals, you infuse the board with your unique energy and creativity.

Do Vision Boards Work?

While a vision board can be a helpful tool for setting intentions and focusing on goals, it is important to remember that achieving those goals requires more than just visualizing them. Taking action, developing a plan, and working towards your objectives are crucial steps in turning your visions into reality.

A vision board is a tool to supplement your actions and efforts, and it should be accompanied by practical steps towards your goals. Regularly reassessing and updating your board as your goals evolve can also help you stay aligned with your aspirations and make necessary adjustments along the way.

An example of a vision board for an Iceland trip

10 Vision Board Ideas

Looking for inspiration to kickstart your vision board creation? Here are ten vision board ideas that span various aspects of life, from career and relationships to health and personal growth:

  1. Career and Professional Goals: Include images and words related to your desired job, career advancement, professional skills you want to acquire, or specific achievements you aim for in your profession.
  2. Personal Growth and Development: Include images and quotes that represent personal growth, self-improvement, and lifelong learning. It could be pictures of books, mentors, motivational figures, or symbols of personal transformation.
  3. Health and Wellness: Incorporate images that represent your ideal physical and mental well-being, such as pictures of healthy food, people practicing yoga or exercising, or quotes that inspire a healthy lifestyle.
  4. Travel and Adventure: Add pictures of destinations you want to visit, activities you want to experience, or experiences that evoke a sense of adventure and exploration.
  5. Achievements and Milestones: Include visual representations of specific goals you want to achieve or milestones you want to reach, whether it’s completing a degree, starting a business, or running a marathon.
  6. Financial Abundance: Incorporate visuals that represent financial success, such as money, symbols of wealth, or images that depict your desired lifestyle.
  7. Hobbies and Creativity: Include pictures or symbols related to your hobbies, passions, or creative pursuits. It could be artwork, musical instruments, writing materials, or any activity that brings you joy.
  8. Relationships: Include images that depict the kind of relationships you want to have, whether it’s with a partner, family, friends, or community. Focus on qualities like love, trust, support, and connection.
  9. Philanthropy and Giving Back: If making a positive impact on others or contributing to a cause is important to you, add images or quotes that reflect your desire to give back and help others.
  10. Personal Values and Beliefs: Consider including symbols or images that represent your core values and beliefs, such as integrity, compassion, or environmental sustainability.

Remember, these are just starting points. Trust your instincts and choose images, words, and symbols that resonate with you personally.

Vision Board Inspiration and Resources

Ready to bring your vision board to life? When creating a vision board, there are several resources you can utilize to gather inspiration, images, and materials. Here are some common vision board sources of inspiration:

  1. Online Image Search: Conducting an online image search using search engines like Google or specialized platforms like Pinterest can provide a wide range of images that match your vision. You can search for specific keywords related to your goals and save the images you find inspiring.
  2. Magazines: Magazines are a popular resource for finding images and words that align with your goals and aspirations. Look for magazines related to the areas you want to focus on, such as travel, health, career, or personal development.
  3. Personal Photos: Your own collection of personal photos can be a valuable resource for your vision board. Select pictures that represent moments of joy, achievements, or experiences you want to replicate or build upon.
  4. Quotes and Affirmations: Look for inspirational quotes, affirmations, and meaningful words that resonate with your goals. You can find these in books, websites, social media platforms, or by creating your own affirmations.
  5. Online Printables: Many websites offer free or paid printables designed specifically for vision boards. These printables often include affirmations, goal-setting worksheets, and visual elements that can be cut out and used on your physical boord.
  6. Art Supplies: If you prefer a more hands-on approach, gathering art supplies like colored pencils, markers, stickers, washi tape, and glue can help you personalize and enhance your vision board. These supplies can be found at craft stores or online art supply retailers.
  7. Digital Design Tools: If you’re creating a digital vision board, graphic design software like Adobe Photoshop, Canva, or presentation software like Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides can help. These tools provide a wide range of design elements, templates, and customization options.
  8. Books and Blogs: Books and blogs related to personal development, goal setting, or the specific areas you want to focus on can provide valuable insights, inspiration, and ideas for your vision board.
A person creates a vision board with photos

How to Make a Vision Board in 10 Steps

Getting started with making a vision board is an exciting and creative process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you begin:

1. Set Your Intentions

Take some time to reflect on your goals, dreams, and aspirations. Consider different areas of your life such as career, relationships, health, personal growth, and hobbies. Clarify what you want to manifest or achieve through your vision board.

2. Gather Your Materials

Depending on whether you’re creating a physical or digital vision board, gather the necessary materials. For a physical board, you may need a poster board, scissors, glue or tape, magazines, markers, and any other art supplies you’d like to use. For a digital vision board, identify the digital tools or software you’ll use.

3. Find Inspiration

Look for sources of inspiration that align with your goals. Explore blogs, websites, magazines, books, and social media platforms related to your areas of interest. Collect images, quotes, and words that resonate with you and evoke the feelings and emotions associated with your aspirations.

4. Create a Theme

Consider choosing a theme or a central focus for your vision board. It can be broad, such as “My Dream Life,” or more specific, like “Career Success” or “Travel Adventures.” Having a theme will help you maintain coherence and clarity throughout the board.

5. Arrange and Design

Begin arranging your chosen images, words, and symbols on your physical board or digital canvas. Experiment with different layouts and placements until you achieve a composition that feels visually appealing and inspiring. You can organize it thematically, by goals, or in any way that makes sense to you.

6. Add Personal Touches

Customize your vision board with personal photos, handwritten affirmations, drawings, or any other elements that make it uniquely yours. Infuse it with your own energy and creativity.

7. Display Your Vision Board

Find a place to display your vision board where you’ll see it regularly. It could be on a wall, in your office, or even as your phone or computer wallpaper for a digital board. Ensure it’s in a location that allows you to easily access and reflect upon it.

8. Journal About Your Vision Board

Journaling and vision boards can be great allies when used together, as they complement each other in the reflection and manifestation process. Take time each day or week to journal about your vision board. Use your journal as a reminder of what you’re working towards and why you want it.

9. Take Action Each Day and Week

Remember that a vision board is a tool to support your goals, but it requires action on your part. Take practical steps, develop action plans, and actively work towards your aspirations each day and week. Your vision board can serve as a guiding light and a source of motivation along the way.

10. Review and Update

Periodically review your vision board to assess your progress, celebrate achievements, and make adjustments if needed. As your goals evolve, update your vision board to ensure it remains aligned with your current aspirations.

Going Digital: Creating An Online Vision Board

In the digital age, creating a vision board online offers convenience and versatility. An online or digital vision board is a version of a traditional vision board that is created and displayed digitally using an app, website, or software. Instead of using physical materials like magazines, printed images, and glue, a digital vision board is created using digital tools and displayed on electronic devices such as computers, tablets, or smartphones.

An online vision board has several advantages:

  • Portability and Accessibility: Digital vision boards can be accessed from various devices, allowing you to view them wherever you go. You can carry your vision board with you on your phone or tablet, making it easy to reference and stay inspired.
  • Easy Editing and Updating: Digital vision boards can be easily edited and updated as your goals evolve or new aspirations arise. You can replace or modify images, add new elements, or adjust the layout without the need for physical alterations.
  • Organization and Space Efficiency: Digital vision boards save physical space since they don’t require a physical board or storage for magazines and clippings. You can store multiple digital vision boards in a single folder or file, keeping your visual goals neatly organized.

How To Create a Digital Vision Board with the Day One App

Creating a vision board with the Day One journal app offers a unique and convenient way to compile a dynamic vision board. Here’s how to get started:

1. Download the Free Day One App

Day One is a free journal app that can be used to build your vision board. You’ll be able to add photos, quotes, videos, audio, and text to build out your vision board. Plus, all your files will be protected with end-to-end encryption.

2. Create a dedicated journal for your vision board.

Day One allows you to create unlimited journals. You can keep your vision board separate from your regular journal by creating a dedicated journal. Name this journal “Vision Board” or give your vision board a title to best reflect what it means to you.

Creating a journal with the Day One app

3. Gather digital files.

Instead of cutting out images from magazines, search for images online or use your own digital photos to represent your goals and aspirations. You can also include inspirational quotes, symbols, and other visual elements that resonate with your vision. Make sure these files are saved to your mobile device or computer, so you can easily upload them to Day One.

An example of a vision board with photos, quotes, and videos

4. Add entries to your vision board journal.

Add a separate entry to your vision board journal in Day One for each file or idea. Add your reflections, including why you selected the quote or image, and what it means for your vision.

A vision board idea including a n inspiring quote and a photo

5. Regularly review your vision board.

Set up a custom journaling reminder to nudge yourself to regularly review your vision board. Use this opportunity to add new inspiring additions to your board, reflect on your progress, and stay committed to your vision.

Creating a reminder using the Day One app

6. Turn your vision board … into a book!

Once your digital vision board is complete, you can even print it as a beautiful paperback or hard-cover book! Use Day One’s free book printing feature to build your custom vision board book.

Printing a vision board book through the Day One app

Bonus: How to Combine Journaling with Your Vision Board

Here’s how you can incorporate journaling with your vision board:

1. Reflect on Your Vision Board

Start by spending some time with your vision board. Look at the images, words, and symbols, and allow them to evoke emotions and thoughts. Then, open your journal and write about what you see on your vision board. Describe the specific goals, dreams, or desires depicted, and reflect on why they are important to you. Explore any emotions, fears, or limiting beliefs that may arise. If you need more inspiration about what to write about, check out this extensive list of journal prompts.

2. Dive Deeper Into Your Goals and Aspirations

Journaling can be a powerful ally in the pursuit of your goals. By regularly recording your thoughts, feelings, and progress, you can gain insight into your motivations, track your progress, and stay accountable. Record the specific steps you can take to work towards your goals. Explore potential challenges and brainstorm solutions. Write down any insights or inspirations that come to you during the process.

3. Explore Your Emotions and Challenges

Journaling about feelings can be a way to explore the emotions and challenges that may arise on your journey towards your goals. Write about any fears, doubts, or setbacks you encounter. Identify any patterns or limiting beliefs that may be hindering your progress, and work through them in writing. Use journaling as a tool for self-reflection and self-compassion as you navigate the intricate terrain of your aspirations.

4. Track Your Progress

Journaling goals includes documenting your progress in relation to your vision board. Note the actions you’ve taken, milestones achieved, and any shifts or changes you’ve experienced. Reflect on how your mindset and perspective have evolved. Acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small.

5. Visualize and Affirm

Combine journaling with visualization and affirmation techniques. Close your journal and spend a few moments visualizing yourself living your desired life as depicted on your vision board. Use affirmations or positive statements related to your goals and repeat them to yourself during your journaling practice.

6. Explore your Gratitude

Incorporate gratitude journaling into your journaling practice. Write about the things you are grateful for, including any progress or achievements related to your vision board goals. Express gratitude for the opportunities and resources that are coming your way. Emphasize a mindset of abundance and manifestation in your writing.

7. Review and Reflect

Periodically review your journal entries to look for patterns, insights, and areas where you may need to adjust your approach. Consider how your vision board and journaling practice have influenced your actions, mindset, and overall well-being.

Wrapping Up: Creating a Vision That Fuels Your Goals & Aspirations

Throughout this guide, we’ve explored how vision boards can help clarify your goals and aspirations. Now it’s your turn: what’s your vision? Explore how the power of visualization and intentional creation can fuel your motivation to pursue your goals. Let your vision board be a constant reminder of your path as you pursue your dreams with intention and determination.


Download the Day One Journal App

The Day One journaling app makes it easy to build and maintain a daily journaling habit. Daily journaling reminders, daily writing prompts, and journal streaks are designed to help keep you motivated and consistently journaling.


About the Author

Kristen Webb Wright is the author of three books on journaling. With a passion for writing and self-reflection, Kristen uses her experience with journaling to help others discover the benefits of documenting their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. In her role at Day One, she helps to promote the power of journaling so people from all walks of life can experience the transformative power of journaling.



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