How to manifest more of what you want this year with a vision board
Manifesting is a bit of a buzzword in our house. And while it’s easy to chalk it up to sounding a bit woo-woo, I’ve seen evidence of it often enough that even my VERY skeptical fiancée is getting on board with the idea.
Because those incredibly aligned clients that have found me through social media and reached out? → manifested those
The speaking gig I booked the day after mentioning that I want to do more of those? → manifested that
That outdoor patio set that appeared at Target at a steep discount the very same day I put it on my vision board? → Manifested that
The mattress I wanted for our spare bedroom and shopped online for the very same day that a friend announced she was moving and giving one away? → Manifested that
But here’s the thing about manifestation: it starts with knowing what you want. And there’s really nothing all that “out there” about about that concept. In fact, I think the number one step to GETTING what you want is KNOWING what you want.
Because without that, how can you possibly know that you’ve reached it?
This is exactly why vision boards are so important—because they help you get your mindset on board so you can boost your sales, make more money, and create more of what you actually WANT in your life and business. And I don’t know about you, but I LOVE seeing a beautiful reminder of what I’m working toward each day.
But you don’t have to take my word for it. Today, I’m sharing a study that shows how having a vision board can help you manifest more of want this year and create the beautiful, balanced life and successful, thriving business you’ve always dreamed of (even if you’ve been skeptical of them in the past!).
First, look at the numbers
A study by TD Bank, published in Forbes states, “Results show that business owners who take the time to visualize their company are more successful and more likely to reach their goals than those who don’t.” It goes on to state:
→ Almost two-thirds of small business owners believe that visualizing goals helps them map and develop their business plans.
→ One in five small business owners used a vision board or other visual representation when starting their business; 76% of those business owners said that today their business is where they envisioned it would be when they started it.
→ Eighty-two percent of small business owners that used a vision board from the get-go reported that they have accomplished more than half the goals they included on that board.
You guys, I DO this kind of work and even I was struck by how incredible those numbers are. I’m mean, let it sink in—76% of business owners who had a vision board said that they’re where they thought they’d be when they started. And while I know there’s hard work and strategy behind that number, those odds are pretty darn magical. I know it’s natural to be skeptical because it almost feels TOO EASY, but it all comes back to this—knowing what you want is the MOST important step to getting you what you want. Visualization is a powerful tool in making that a reality.
Consider what you’re looking to create in both work and life
There’s great power in writing down your goals, dreams, and desires. It as though putting pen to paper suddenly makes them more concrete. That’s why when it comes to working with clients in my signature one-on-one coaching program, Future You, I first have them do a giant brain dump of all of their BIG dreamy goals. We get specific about what it would look and feel like for them to have the beautiful, balanced life and a successful, thriving business they want, because I honestly believe you can have BOTH.
So often I see entrepreneurs reaching, reaching, reaching for those big numbers goals, at the sacrifice of the things that are so important to them on the life side. But that begs the question: if your business isn’t creating the life you want for yourself, is it really even worth it? Because I believe success isn’t only about money. It’s about what you can CREATE with money.
With that in mind, it’s easier to pull images that truly resonate with their bigger vision. Having that visual reminder can be really powerful because it shifts their mindset from simply thinking about the numbers to what those dollar signs would actually do for you in both life and business.
And remember more life goals on your vision board doesn’t mean that your business will suffer as a result. I’ve actually found the opposite to be true. My last vision board focused on more time for self-care—time spent doing pilates, running, journaling, reading, and relaxing in bubble baths. And you know what? My business actually did BETTER during this time because I was in alignment with what I actually wanted and that was showing up in every aspect of my life—from amazing podcast feedback to more client leads.
Vision boards don’t let you get caught up in the ‘how’
In one of my favorite books, “Leveraging the Universe” by Mike Dooley, he talks about how vision boards allow you to bypass the “how.” Meaning that because you have a visual to associate your goal with, your brain doesn’t get hung up on HOW it’s going to come to fruition for you (because you’re already looking right at it, so clearly it exists somewhere!).
This is yet another thing that I love about vision boards, because you take those vague ideas and you pull actual images to represent them. That alone can make those dreams feel so much more concrete. If it exists SOMEWHERE than why WOULDN’T you be able to create it in your own life? Why not you??
Couple that with visualization exercises and you’re basically unstoppable. There’s no ONE WAY to do these exercises, but I usually play with the end result that I’m looking to create in one way or another. For example, when I was working on starting my podcast, I would play with a few different scenes. I’d imagine what it’d be like to pick up my phone and scroll through all the episodes. I’d picture that email popping up in my inbox of a guest agreeing to be on the show. I’d delight in those five-star reviews that I’d get. All of those exercises made it easier for my mindset to get on board without me getting too bogged down in the logistics of something I had zero idea of how to do. So it’s no surprise that I was able to manifest those things!
Take aligned action based on your vision board
Creating a vision board brings what you WANT to the forefront. Instead of being a dream you only consider every once in a while, thinking “maybe someday,” it becomes a visual you look at daily as a reminder of what you want to create in your life and business.
And when you know what you want you’re more likely to take action that’s aligned with what you want. I mean, seriously think about that. Haven’t you found that to be true in the past? Let’s bring that same principle into your goals for the future.
Desiring more passive income to create more time to spend with your kids? Maybe it’s time to take your expertise from your one-on-one work and create a course to sell. Looking to create more connection with other female entrepreneurs? Maybe it’s time to market that mastermind you’ve been thinking about.
And here’s the real game-changer—taking those aligned actions in business almost always results in more income and more impact.
When we started the Airbnb, I knew that good design was a huge value of mine so we took extra care to create a space that I not only LOVED but would actually want to stay in myself. As a result, almost everyone that stays with us mentions that they love the decor and we’ve been able to raise rates and stay consistently booked because of it.
You’ll know success when you reach it
As entrepreneurs there’s the tendency to keep REACHING, never stopping long enough to recognize your accomplishments and celebrate the wins. Vision boards are so powerful because you’ll know what success looks like when you hit it.
I’ve seen it time and time again in my own life and business. The cutest little pup on my vision board represented being financially stable enough to get and raise a puppy of my own. Now, I’m greeted each morning by Samson pawing at the blankets, telling me it’s time to start a new day. The image of pancakes and coffee on the patio represent lazy weekend mornings and quality time with my man—yet another thing that has shown up for me in my own life. The image of a microphone on my vision board represents a wildly successful podcast—the very one I have now.
The point is that you’ll know when you start reaching your goals because the things on your vision board will actually start showing up in your life. And that right there is the very definition of success.
The bottom line:
→ A vision board is a tool that helps you visualize what you want
→ Knowing what you want leads to aligned action
→ Aligned action leads to more income and impact
→ More income and impact creates more of what you actually want in life and business
MORE OF WHAT YOU ACTUALLY WANT = THE VERY DEFINITION OF SUCCESS
Tell me in the comments below:
Have you ever tried creating a vision board? Or are you looking to create one this year?
Photography by Jennifer Morgan Photography
