For many of you who are connected to our Sacred Surrogacy program, you have already started building a Sacred Space. A vision board is a wonderful addition to that space. When you create a vision board and place it in a space where you see it often, it will give you a pause to look at it, and in turn focus on those ‘visions’.
Whether you believe in vision boards or not, we know that visualization works. Olympic athletes have been using it for decades to improve performance, and Psychology Today reported that the brain patterns activated when a weightlifter lifts heavy weights are also similarly activated when visualizing lifting weights.
So, what’s the big secret to creating a vision board that works? It’s simple: your vision board should focus on how you want to feel, not just on things that you want. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great to include the material stuff too however, the more your board focuses on how you want to feel, the more it will come to life.
If more travel what you want to bring into your life, instead of posting the word ‘travel’ get specific! Post pictures of where you want to go, or print off the name of the location you want to travel to.
There is only one major rule to creating a vision board that works, and it’s that there aren’t any rules. You aren’t going to mess it up, you can create your vision board on your own terms. Here are the answers to the most common questions people ask:
Q: What should I put on my vision board?
A: Anything that inspires and motivates you. The purpose of your vision board is to bring everything on it to life. First, think about what your goals are in the following areas: relationships, career and finances, home, travel, personal growth (including spirituality, social life, education) and health.You don’t have to cover each area exactly the same, just take a mental inventory of what you want each of those areas to look like and write them down. Always write your goals by hand instead of typing them – there’s something energetic about actually handwriting your goals. From your goals and aspirations, think about what you want on your vision board. Like I said before what you focus on expands. You’ll be amazed at how things just start popping up all over the place once you set the intention for what you want and how you want to feel.
Q: Should this just be about Surrogacy?
A: Not at all. We want you to take this tool with you, long after your Surrogacy journey has been completed. Vision Boards are a great way to create intentions for the coming six months, year, five years and beyond.
Q: Should I have one main vision board, or a bunch of small ones for different areas of my life?
A: It’s totally up to you. What makes the most sense in your life? I personally like to have one central vision board that I look at every day in my home office, and I have a few small ones that I’ve made at retreats that I keep around too. Each area of our lives affect each other, so starting with one central vision board usually makes sense. Theme boards that center on specific events or areas of our life are great too, for instance a wedding day specific will help you focus on how you want to feel on your big day, or a career specific board at your desk space can help you work towards that promotion.
Q: How often should I rework my vision board?
A: Whenever it feels right. I often leave blank space on my vision board so I can accept new things as they appear in my life, and add or rearrange during the year when I feel it. You’ll just know. Then, every December I give the board a total refresh to get clear about what I want in the new year. Some things stay and some have served their purpose and don’t make the cut.
What you’ll need:
*Any kind of board, if you’re new maybe start with a cork board or poster board from the hardware store, they cost about a dollar. If you can, I recommend a pin board or something pretty you like to look at — I got my 24×24” white wood framed pin board on Etsy.
*Scissors, tape, pins, and/or a glue-stick to put your board together.
*If you want, fun markers, stickers, or anything else you can think of to deck out your board. I don’t use that stuff, but if embellishments make you feel great, then go for it.
*Magazines that you can cut images and quotes from.
*Most importantly, the stuff you want to look at every day. Photos, quotes, sayings, images of places you want to go, reminders of events, places, or people, postcards from friends and just about anything that will inspire you.
*Time. Give yourself a stress-free hour or two to put your board together. If you’re a social butterfly, invite you friends over and make a party out of it. I host a vision board party every year on the first night of my partner mastermind weekend and I can’t even tell you how much it sets the tone for the event — everyone is more focused and less stressed after we do it.
Our retreats are GREAT, but we know that for many reasons not all Surrogates can attend. We will begin posting ideas here so that those of you who can’t come can still do some of the fun, and helpful activities!