Why Make a Vision Board?

UW-Eau Claire
4 min readJan 12, 2021

Because consistently visualizing your dreams and goals is actually a very healthy and effective habit.

We’re leaving behind 2020 and thinking BIG in 2021. Like, REALLY BIG. A new year is a good time to start fresh and determine how you’re going to make the most of the next 12 months….even amidst the uncertainty that lies ahead. Below are our tips for creating a vision board outlining your dreams and goals.

What is a vision board?

A vision board looks different for each person, but the main idea is to put your dreams and goals in one spot that you see every single day! Some people love to use lots of pictures, while others prefer to have quotes and phrases. Whatever motivates you is the way to go!

How to Make a Vision Board

Making a vision board is super easy and fun — all you need are a few supplies and to get creative!

Supplies:

Poster Board or Construction Paper: you can get poster board or foam boards anywhere craft supplies are sold (Dollar Tree, Walmart, Target, etc.)

Old magazines/newspapers: this is a great way of repurposing old magazines. To fill in the blank spaces, you can use words, quotes, or pictures from magazines and newspapers you have on hand.

Images: you may not have old magazines to cut from, but you do have the glorious world wide web at your disposal. Websites like Unsplash, pixabay, and pexels, allow for free downloads of millions of high-quality photos.

Quotes: Another way to fill in blank space is with motivational and inspirational quotes! You can find a bunch on the UWEC Instagram (@uweauclaire) under the Quotes highlight. Or you can check out BrainyQuote for endless inspiration.

Other Supplies: Scissors and glue to trim and attach the different clippings. A ruler might be helpful if you want things aligned a certain way.

Usually, vision boards are made on a large surface that can be hung up in a spot you’ll see frequently (desk at home for virtual class?). Since we all use our computers so frequently, it might be a good idea to make a virtual vision board, instead. Using a platform like Canva allows you to create your own computer background with motivational quotes and images to visualize your goals. Either way, it’s important to have your vision board in a spot that will be seen quite often.

A simple, virtual vision board sized for laptop background

Did you know that celebrities like Oprah and Reese Witherspoon use vision boards to stay motivated and manifest their goals? Check out this article from O Magazine.

Let’s Get Crafty!

To start making your vision board, think about what is most important to you? Everybody is going to have different goals and priorities. In order to make a vision board that works for you, start by making a list of 3–5 goals you want to accomplish in 2021.

After you’ve made your list of goals, look for words or phrases that inspire you. These are going to give you that push you need when you’re feeling unmotivated or down. We’re fans of quotes but sometimes single words — adventure, community, and creativity, for example — help to boost morale and remind you of why you’re working so hard!

Lastly, find images that support your goals and help you visualize the outcome. Seeing is believing, people! When you have all of your goals, quotes, and images, start to lay them out on your board in a way that flows right to you. It is your vision board and should speak to you in a way that promotes your goals. When it’s all finished, hang it up in a place that you’ll see frequently to stay motivated! Next to your bed, on your fridge or at your desk are popular spaces.

*Note that no goal is too big. Go all out for your vision board. If you desire a vacation, include it on the board. How about your dream job? Put it on there. More peace? YUP, put it down. Anything is possible.

Why Make a Vision Board?

When you get stuck in endless assignments and stressful tests, having your goals set out in front of you is a reminder that YOU ARE CAPABLE of achieving your dreams! Additionally, making vision boards can be a relaxing and fun activity to do with friends. Even if you don’t accomplish everything on your vision board, it’s a great way to remind yourself of your dreams. Let’s go into 2021 with big goals!

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