When I wrote about vision boards last year, people asked me if it’s something that more women do, or if they really make sense for business leaders. I can tell you that the very senior executives I advise have a vision board somewhere -often they have a screenshot of it saved on their phone! Half of those executives are men.

I can understand why there are misconceptions about vision boards. There is something quite vulnerable about sitting down and thinking, ‘what is it that I actually want’. What if it doesn’t happen? This thought leads many not to create a space to intentionally think about what they want, and those same people are surprised by where the last five years have gone, how life has been fine, but maybe not fulfilling.

And yet when you create a business plan or a strategy for your team, it is effectively a vision.

So why wouldn’t you do that for yourself?

Images do matter. Words matter. They tug at a different part of our brain, our subconscious. They make it come alive for you and allow you to become excited by it. Why do you think art can have such a visceral impact on us? We can get lost in a picture in a gallery. Why not allow yourself to get lost in what you want to see happen -  your vision.

I was very sceptical of vision boards a few years ago. I couldn’t fathom how one could help me change and evolve. My judgmental voice went into overdrive. And then when I finally decided to succumb and give it ago, I understood what others had been telling me! I realized how much I enjoyed seeing what images and words I was drawn to and not being attached to how it would look or what it all meant.

It is all about dreaming. Accessing the right-side of your brain, and having a picture of who you want to be, what you want to have and what you want to do.

In this Forbes article, Bill Keen uses the metaphor of a boat to explain why having a vision is important.

He writes “Picture a boat sitting by a dock. Over time, as the tide goes in and out and waves crash against the boat, it won’t remain close to that dock. It will begin to drift out to sea, until one day, you can no longer see the boat. The boat is directionless.”

The image of a boat aimlessly floating across the water is a perfect way to describe many of my new clients. They move from task to task, drifting without really thinking about where they are heading. It’s almost they like they are in autopilot doing what they have always done.

Creating a vision board can help you find your focus. And this is what every good leader needs.

Keen also suggests splitting your vision board into four sections - 3, 5, 10 and 20 years from now. I would recommend, like he does, doing this with someone else. Many find it difficult to think that far into the future, and it may put you off doing it. Remember this is meant to be an enjoyable activity, not something which stresses you out.

 Create your vision.

Creating a vision board highlights what’s important to you. The things that excite you are presented to you. The very act of making it tells your mind what’s important. You’re teaching your mind what you want to focus on in your life. Not what you don’t. This is key. We too often think about what we don’t want, not what we do.

This is the space that feels vulnerable. It is also extremely empowering if you dare to go there.

Simply find images and words that you find inspirational. Some people choose to focus on a specific area like career, home, well-being or relationships. For me, it’s all one.

Sometimes you will be drawn to images which don’t make sense currently. How you would get there seems impossible to map out. That is absolutely ok. In many ways, it is like the first step of creating a map.

How do I create a vision board?

• Create a space where you can relax. Take time out to focus on what you want

• Start with a big piece of paper or card and write today’s date on it.

• Don’t worry if you don’t know where to start. Simply start flicking through magazines and look for words, phrases and/or pictures that inspire or grab you.

•  With a vision board, how you feel is more important that what you think.

•  Include pictures, symbols, words and quotes—anything that appeals to you or speaks to you. It doesn’t need to make sense or be obvious why you like it.

•  It can also be powerful to actively look for the unfamiliar - thinking ‘outside your box.’

Now what?

Put your vision somewhere you will see it every day to remind, inspire and focus you. In your home office, on the inside of your wardrobe door, by your key hook.

Am I just making a pretty picture?

It may feel like that, but there is a science behind it. Neuroscientist, medical doctor and executive coach Tara Swart believes that vision or action boards, as she prefers, definitely work if they are used correctly.

“The brain has a process called “value-tagging,” which imprints important things onto your subconscious and filters out unnecessary information” Swart explains in this article by CNBC. She goes on to explain that  “the brain assigns a higher “value” to images than written words on a “to-do” list, and the more you look at those images, the more those images move up in importance”.

Vision boards alone are not enough. Intentional action, behaviours and thoughts every day are also necessary.

Sometimes when we see something regularly, we stop noticing it after a while. I recommend that once in a while, you sit down and look deeply at it. Review it; allow yourself to feel it and get excited by it. Do this before you go to bed and at the start of the day.

I have done them with my kids too. They get into their zone, and it gives you a chance to focus on yours. It’s just cutting and sticking after all!

Now make a commitment to yourself. When are you going to start yours?

Share your visions boards with me. I would love to see what you have created.

If you want some support making your vision a reality, please get in touch. I’m Sally, and I’m a leadership coach and trainer, and I work with leaders who want to make meaningful changes.

Know someone who might be interested in this article? Share it with them.