I remember hearing a story about a family that had a large painting of a ship on a stormy sea hanging on a prominent wall in their home. This family had several sons, and each one of them grew to pursue nautical professions. These boys aligned with what they saw over the course of their growing-up years. What they visualized impacted their thoughts and goals.

Images are powerful because they are so immediate. A Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) study from 2014 found that people could identify an image as quickly as thirteen milliseconds. That’s pretty fast! Images impact emotions faster and more powerfully than words. You’ve likely heard the quote “A picture is worth a thousand words.” 

What you see, especially repeatedly and consistently, has the ability to shape and form your thoughts and actions. It impacts your mood and shapes future decisions. For all these reasons, I often suggest a Vision Board to my clients. 

One important fact that sets vision boards apart from all other images you might see is that it is an intentional creation. You get to create the visuals that you need: the images that you want in your mind that will literally change the course of your trajectory from here forward. A vision board puts you in the unique position of being a creator in your life while also letting God and the laws of the universe govern the outcome. You allow yourself to be proactive while also learning how to receive. It creates an environment of balance in your daily life.

In order to successfully create your vision board, I suggest a particular pattern, the Vision Board Map, designed by mindset coach Kirk Duncan. As shown in the image, a very successful way to design your board is listed as follows:

• Top Left Corner: WEALTH

• Top Center: WORK and REPUTATION

• Top Right: LOVE and RELATIONSHIPS

• Middle Left: FAMILY (your closest connections, people who support you)

• Middle Center: HEALTH and WELLNESS

• Middle Right: SPIRITUALITY

• Bottom Left: EDUCATION and LEARNING (development of intuition and knowledge)

• Bottom Center: SUCCESSES and ACHIEVEMENTS (accomplishments, awards, skills)

• Bottom Right: TRAVEL

Use clips from magazines, word graphics, concise affirmations, and family photos—images and graphics that speak to you—for these sections on your vision board. Use your instincts on what feels right and what doesn’t. One thing to remember: you will have a tendency to limit yourself. This is something we all do, so use images and words that really move you, even if they seem out of your reach. You’ll be surprised what will transpire when you dare to dream, to push your boundaries. 

When your mind sees images repeatedly, it will work to bring it to reality. For this reason, you want your finished vision board on a wall that you see often. It is very personal, so putting it on your closet wall would be a great spot as long as you see it multiple times daily. 

Once your vision board is complete and set in place, take the time to look at it frequently. Imagine that each of the nine sections on your vision board are actually happening. How does that feel? An aspiring author might visualize the image of his first published book while feeling the emotions of that accomplishment. A young adult with an eye toward the arts might gaze upon the ballet slippers placed on her vision board while feeling the experience of sharing her talent onstage. And a young boy who dreams of being a pilot might spend time admiring a picture of an airplane on his vision board while feeling himself in the cockpit.

This is your life, your vision. Be the master creator of your own life with a Higher Power as you elevate your dreams and goals. Believe. Watch as your aspirations become reality. With your vision board, you have created the scaffolding from which your desires can take form. You were put here on earth to do more than you can imagine. A vision board will help you remove your self-limiting beliefs as you see yourself soar.