Vision boards (also called dream boards) may bring to mind those cute collages we made growing up of the latest heartthrob we had a crush on! Real vision boards, though, can be a powerful tool to visualize your goals and hopefully, manifest them into existence. Through words and images that you choose, a vision board is all about the direction you want your life to take. They ensure that your brain keeps those goals present and active in your thoughts, no matter how much other noise is going on in the background.

We’ve made it easy to get started with our free, downloadable template of images, inspiring quotes and words! Not to be confused with “mood boards” that are used as a planning tool for that kitchen remodel, a vision board is about specific categories.

For adults: Health, Finance, Relationships, Career, and Travel

For kids: School, Friends, Activities to Try, and Dreams

It’s an empowering activity for both kids and adults, and you just may be surprised at what your board reveals about you!

Materials for Making a Vision Board

• Board material of your choice (paper, cardboard, bulletin board, etc.)
• The size is up to you, although very small isn’t advisable. Remember, you want the board to be clearly visible and attention-grabbing.
• Masking tape (any tape that will not damage paper)
• Pencil
• Eraser
• Colored Pencils (crayons and markers, optional)
• Scissors
• Images/words from old magazines, provided template and online sources, printouts of images and text

Download Free Vision Board Template

Steps For Making a Vision Board

Step 1: Take 10 to 15 minutes before you start to brainstorm about your goals. Think about what you really want and how it’ll feel when you achieve it. Write all the things that come to mind in a list.

Step 2: Print out the images and text you want to represent each of your goals. Don’t limit yourself here, really go for it and collect all the things that speak to you. Use your free template of images and words to really spark your creativity!

Step 3: When you have all your images and text, lay them all out and identify about 7 to 9 which are most important to you at this moment. Don’t overwhelm yourself with too many goals at once, so pick the most significant ones for now. Keep the other ones to go back to later when you need new goals!

Step 4: Write the date on the back of all your images and text. It’ll be helpful when you look back and can see exactly when you started working on your goals.

Step 5: Arrange the images on your board without taping them down yet. Just get an idea of how you like the placement first and rearrange things until you’re happy. Try out different placements to see what appeals to you most.

Step 6: Secure each of your images or text pieces to your board with tape. Try not to overlap images too much, as this will subconsciously tell your brain that the goal underneath is not as important.

Step 7: Place your board somewhere you will interact with it and see it regularly. Take 2 to 3 minutes each day to look at your board and really think about those goals you’ve got up there. A great time to do this is right before you go to bed. The last thing you think about before you go to bed is what will be in your mind as you sleep, so it can be really productive to have those goals front and center right before bed.

Step 8: Keep your board up to date as you go along. Take down goals you achieve and add new ones. Always remind yourself that you are a work in progress and that your effort is valid and productive. You’ve got this! Good luck!

You’re on a vision quest! This is the perfect solo, meditative project or an empowering family activity. Share your board with others and inspire them to create their own! For more great DIY, visit our blog for dozens of free tutorials! Our free Gratitude Guide is an awesome companion to your Vision Board!

Q & A

1. Does a vision board have to be a collage?

Not at all! If you are a hands-on, visual learner, physically cutting out and sticking on images that represent your goals helps to make them tangible. You may prefer a virtual vision board. This can be done through sites such as Pinterest or even Instagram.

2. What kind of goals should be put on a vision board?

Be specific! Remember, a huge part of feeling the motivation and effectiveness of a vision board is to be able to recognize when you make progress towards your goal. If your goals are too vague it can be difficult to keep track of that progress.

Make your items actionable. These are goals, not wishes. We always want to remind ourselves that these things can and will be achieved.

Be specific but flexible. Sometimes goals can be achieved in ways you didn’t expect, so allow for that in your vision board.

3. Can a vision board change over time?

Absolutely! In fact it definitely should change over time. Use tape that can be easily removed. That way, when a goal is achieved simply remove that image and replace it with another one.

Additionally, whenever you put up a new goal, write the date on the back of when you first put it up. When that goal has been achieved, take it off of the board and write the date again on the back. It’s great to keep a little folder of these removed and dated goals so you can look back and have a physical representation and reminder of what you have accomplished.

4. Where should I get the images I use in my board?

We’ve provided a free template of images, quotes and words to get you started. You can also go through magazines and print out images from online websites. Try searching on Google or Pinterest for the exact image you want. This will produce more specific results that are more directly related to your thoughts.

5. What should I do with my board once it is completed?

Put it somewhere you will look at regularly. Maybe on the door of a closet, above your desk, or any area you see and engage with it on a regular basis.

Spend 2 to 3 minutes every day in front of your board just thinking about the goals you’ve got on there! Don’t just think about the work of the goal, think about how it will feel when you achieve it. Keeping those feelings in your mind a little each day will go really far in sparking that motivation and drive to be putting work towards what you really want.