Can You Manifest Your Dreams?
The power of vision boards — even if you’re skeptical
I had heard the buzz about vision boards and how making a simple poster of your hopes and dreams was an ideal practice as a fresh new year begins. While it sounded fun and my daughters were interested, I didn’t have any expectations except enjoying some time with my family.
January 1st, we crowded around our kitchen table with poster boards, stickers, cut outs from magazines, and print outs mixed with markers of all sized tips and strewn about. As I sat with a blank poster board, I thought deeply about what it was that I wanted from the year ahead. What were my hopes and dreams? What were my specific goals? I began to draw and paste and write.
Little by little, I kept going, assessing as I went to add what I felt I needed out of this project. When I was finally finished with my masterpiece, I found a space on my bedroom wall for it to hang. It still sits underneath a painting of a sailboat and next to a sign that reminds me to “worry less and love more.” Each day as I read it over, I became more focused. My board spoke to me with quotes about remembering how strong and powerful I am. It also reminded me to chase my purpose of changing lives and knowing that I am the only one responsible for changing my own life for the better.
My board became a way for me to motivate myself on the same level that I motivate others. If I truly wanted these things to happen for me, then I needed to start to push myself to take the steps necessary for success. On my tough days, I would read it and remind myself that I had the power inside of me to keep trying.
After seeing the power of creating my own vision board, I began to hold vision board workshops of my own to gather together people who needed the motivation and were willing to try this form of manifestation for their own goals. I met many people, all with unique outlooks for their own lives. No matter what the individual goals were, the common thread of being ready to set forth and accomplish those goals was there.
Throughout the year, I did accomplish some of my own goals. I created more events that would motivate people and help them find their own power. I began pushing my business more on social media, taking time to make connections personally and professionally that enhanced my life, and I also practiced more down time to allow for a rest, resulting in more productivity when I got back to work. All of these were reminders on that vision board and I had paid attention.
When New Year’s Day 2024 rolled around, my daughters and I sat around our table with a few friends, embracing our newfound New Year’s tradition. This time, I reflected on my first vision board. I was proud of what I had accomplished and the goals that had not yet been met were reassessed. I noticed that not everything there was still as important to me. Life and goals are like that though. We learn and change as we go. We adapt, practice flexibility, and learn the best ways to stay true to our bigger picture. I began to create my new vision board. This time, having seen how well it worked, I dreamed even bigger. I held more workshops and have continued to help others to harness their own power to make their big dreams come true as well.
Why do vision boards work?
A vision board is generally a poster with a collage of images and words that represent goals and dreams. According to Psychology Today, “Vision boards may also help us imagine what a positive future could look like for us. Imagining a positive future is a helpful way to increase positive emotions and optimism. And positive emotions often create opportunities and increase the chance of success.”
In other words, a vision board is one type of manifesting.
The Cambridge dictionary defines manifesting as “the act of using methods such as visualization (picturing something in your mind) and affirmation (repeating positive phrases) to help you imagine achieving something, in the belief that doing so will make it more likely to happen”.
From a scientific perspective, we must take a look at the brain to see the true value in manifesting. Our brains have the power to constantly create new neural pathways. What we practice and see the most will define the type of pathways we are creating. We can quite literally change our brain’s gray matter. Messages are sent to our brain all day and night. When we reinforce negative messages or tell ourselves something is impossible or can’t happen for us, we are convincing ourselves we are correct. The more we stay in those thoughts, the more “negative” connections are made. Those negative connections then continue to show us more negative.
On the other hand, when we see positive images and think positive thoughts and believe that we will achieve something, our brain makes the “positive” connections. Those connections grow over time and take over, helping us to believe in ourselves and our abilities and creating a world where we are powerful and successful. If you would like to read more about the power of manifesting and why it works according to science, you may be interested in picking up a copy of Dr. James Doty’s book Mind Magic.
A vision board is a way to create a visible reminder of your positive thoughts and goals and dreams. When you see this regularly, your brain believes more each day, as it makes those connections, that you have the power and possibilities at your fingertips. In turn, your actions will become the steps you take to make your dreams a reality.
How to create a vision board
I do not believe there is any right or wrong way to create your vision board. However, here are some tips to get you started.
Think first. Make notes. Journal. What is it that you are desiring to achieve in your life?
Go BIG! Remember the only limits to what you can accomplish are the ones that you put on yourself. If you can dream it, you can live it! Don’t ever be afraid to dream and put that dream on of your head and into the world.
Give yourself time. I generally take about 3 hours to make a vision board. It will vary for each of us.
I like to use my favorite colors or theme for the design. Use something that you will want to look at, something that will capture your attention.
Do the prep work. If you need pictures or quotes printed out, do so ahead. We take a trip to Staples to save the ink on my home printer with all the pictures we end up finding that represent what we will see as our goals.
Have fun! Remember, if you love what you do, then you never work a day if your life!
Put your finished project where you will see it every single day. Stop yourself and read it. Allow looking over your vision board to become a daily habit, a great way to start the day or to check in when you’re feeling frustrated and need a little extra motivation.
Smile! Be proud of yourself for organizing your hopes and dreams. A vision board is a great first step to accomplishing your goals.
Welcome to 2025!
Over the past two years of creating vision boards, I have noticed a change within me. Embracing my own capacity to make my dreams come true have taught me that vision boards are truly a powerful tool. I look at both of my vision boards, side by side, on a regular basis. I now have firsthand experience of the capability that lay within a seemingly simple project. I have felt the shift in myself and in my own life. This year, I encourage you to give this project a chance. Set aside an afternoon or an evening. Invite friends and support one another in dreaming big. Know that you are powerful. Know that you are capable. Remind each other of these facts. I cannot wait to see where harnessing your power will take you in the new year.
Kelly Guay is a widowed, working, single mom of four who loves life and seeing her family and others thrive. She believes a little motivation can go a long way in all aspects of life. Kelly is the owner of Breakwater Advantage, a holistic health and wellness business. You can learn more about Kelly and her work here.
