The Secret Vision Board Guide for Manifesting Your Dreams
As a manifestation book author who also teaches a very popular vision board workshop (which made hundreds of thousands of dreams come true), this is a topic I’m very passionate about.
In this guide, you get different vision board ideas and inspiration, but I’ll also share with you what vision boards are, how a vision board works, and how to make your own (in 5 simple steps).
Does a Vision Board Really Work?
Wondering if vision boards work? The answer is a big yes! Here at SelfMadeLadies, we’re big fans.
They gained fame through manifestation books like ‘The Secret,’ but this powerful manifestation method has been around for years, helping millions to focus on their goals and achieve their dreams.
A vision board, also manifestation board, is so much more than just a collage of pictures, quotes, and affirmations.
It’s a personal, visual representation of your goals—a tool to reprogram your subconscious and keep you focused on creating your dream life.
This subconscious transformation is how a vision board helps you manifest, and just one of many vision board benefits.
But you’re here to make your own powerful vision board, right? Then let’s get started.
How to Make a Vision Board in 5 Simple Steps
You can create a vision board online, more on that later, but let’s first concentrate on physcial vision boards, as most steps also apply to the digital version.
This type of vision board is usually made on a poster board or cork board. You need just some sort of canvas to add your pictures to it.
Step 1: Set Clear Goals (Discover What You Truly Want)
Before you start crafting your vision board, take a moment to reflect on your manifestation goals. Ask yourself: What do I really want?
This step is crucial—your dream board is a powerful manifestation tool, and clarity is key to attracting the right outcomes.
Getting clear on your goals can be surprisingly tricky. To truly uncover your desires, you need to go a step further by asking for your WHY behind the goal.
Brainstorm Freely: Grab a sheet of paper and write down everything that comes to mind when imagining your ideal life. Don’t hold back—no dream is too big.
Focus on Needs vs. Wants: If you’re struggling, list what you need. This can feel less overwhelming and lead naturally to uncovering deeper desires.
Prioritize: Narrow your list to 5–10 top goals for your vision board. A clutter-free board is more effective for focusing your energy.
Group for More Clarity: Organize your goals into categories like career, health, relationships, or lifestyle.
Step 2 Get Inspired by Vision Board Ideas & Themes
Avoid a cluttered vision board—it could bring chaos instead of clarity! Using a vision board theme or even template, helps you create a clear, organized layout for your goals.
An easy way would be to group images by vision board topics and categories like financial, love, career, or health goals. Or separate personal and professional goals into distinct sections.
For example, you can also create a vision board with the entire family, and share inspirational quotes together.
Getting clear on a vision board theme before you start finding images, will save you a lot of time and energy.
Get as creative as you want because when it comes to creating a vision board, there is just ONE thing that’s important: It must trigger the right emotions in you.
It must spark inspired actions!
There is NO perfect vision board.There is only the perfect vision board for YOU.
Mia Fox – Author of become the CEO of Your Dream Life
Step 3: Gather Your Vision Board Supplies (Use This Handy Checklist!)
Whether you’re crafting a traditional vision board or a manifestation board filled with inspiring quotes and affirmations, having the proper supplies ensures a smooth process.
- Magazines or a Printer: Source images from magazines or print your dream-specific ones online.
- Quotes, Affirmation Cards, Manifestation Checks:(Click here & grab some FREE manifestation checks!)
- Scissors: A must-have for cutting out your visuals.
- Canvas or Board: Use a corkboard or art canvas.
- Glue, Pins, or Washi Tape: to stick your images on.
- Markers, Stickers, or Glitter: Choose a variety of colors for writing affirmations or decorating.
How to Choose the Perfect Vision Board Pictures
The right vision board images are the heart of an effective manifestation board. When you choose them, focus on three main points:
- The energetic level of your goal.
- The emotions you want to evoke with them.
- The subconscious message you want to send out.
Start with clear goals—when you define what you want and why you want it, finding the perfect visuals becomes effortless. Focus on images that evoke strong emotions and align with your core values and intentions.
The point of your vision board is to put yourself into the mental and emotional state of having what you desire. That’s why it’s critical to push the right emotional triggers.
Emotion is energy in motion. To change the direction of your life, you need to change your energy.
Mia Fox – Author of become the CEO of Your Dream Life
There are NO set rules on how to make a vision board for your goals. Think about creative vision board design ideas, not just for decoration but to inspire your imagination.
So besides choosing the right photos, you can also add the following vision board alternatives:
- power words & inspirational quotes
- positive affirmation cards
- manifestation checks
- stickers
- drawings
- and even 3D and 4D objects
Step 4: Daily Vision Board Routine to Work With It!
A successful vision board isn’t a “set it and forget it” tool—it’s an active part of your manifestation journey. Keep your vision board for manifestation practical and purposeful, not just a display of pretty images.
While visuals can inspire your subconscious, real transformation comes when your thoughts drive actions that shape your reality.
Regularly update it by replacing accomplished goals or outdated visuals with fresh, inspiring targets. A dynamic, evolving vision board keeps you focused and aligned with your dreams.
Decide on the Right Vision Board Placement
Find the perfect spot for your dream board—somewhere you’ll see it often, like near your workspace or in a private area.
Regular exposure helps you consciously and subconsciously focus on your goals.
While privacy isn’t essential, your vision board is personal, and you might prefer to keep it away from others.
For example, instead of a public area like the kitchen, try a more private space like your bedroom.
Daily Visualization Exercise
While placing your manifestation board in the right spot helps remind you of your goals, pairing it with a consistent vision board routine is key to faster results.
Regularly practicing visualization techniques with your vision board supercharges your subconscious reprogramming and aligns you with your dreams. Here’s how:
- Sit where your vision board is in clear view. Take a deep breath, releasing negative emotions.
- Focus on one picture at a time. Imagine the goal as a mental movie—what you see, feel, hear, and even smell.
- Close your eyes if it helps you to get more focused.
- Put yourself at the center, living the experience as if it’s happening now.
- Repeat for each image, fully immersing yourself in the emotions tied to each goal.
This simple practice trains your subconscious to align with your goals, making your vision board for manifestation even more powerful!
Step 5: Review, Rinse & Repeat!
Regularly review and update your board as your goals, priorities, or dreams shift.
Achieved everything on your board? Fantastic—set bigger goals! Or to stay flexible, use a board where pictures can be pinned and swapped out easily.
Personally, I love creating a new board every few months and keeping the old ones in an archive.
It’s inspiring to look back and see how far I’ve come—and sometimes laugh at how “small” my goals once were.
Your vision board should be a dynamic part of your life, helping you design your future exactly the way you want. Dream big, update often, and enjoy the journey!
For this review process I have a specific exercise in my vision board workshop.
If you want to learn more and join this 3-part course on how to create your best-ever vision board, check it out here.
Vision Board Mistakes to Avoid
If you ask yourself why your vision board is not working, it’s time to check in on the following common vision board mistakes and learn how to avoid them.
You Have No Emotional Connection – Don’t forget that your vision board must spark strong emotions like joy and gratitude to reprogram your subconscious mind and drive action.
You Are Not Actively Using It – A vision board isn’t just decor—it’s the daily routine that makes this method so powerful.
Lack of Belief – Belief in your vision board and the manifestation process is crucial. Doubts or limiting beliefs can block your progress.
How to Make a Digital Vision Board Online
Digital vision boards are as powerful as physical ones, offering flexibility and easy access. You can use them as a primary tool or to complement a physical board—what matters is consistent engagement.
Here are a few ideas on how to create a vision board online:
Pinterest Vision Board – here, you can easily organize and categorize your goals into different boards, saving images, quotes, and articles that inspire you.
A Dream Board in Trello – offers an interactive and visual way to organize your vision board. Create lists for each goal, add inspiring images, and easily track your progress.
Google Docs for a Simple Dream Board – you can add images, links, and text, and it’s easily accessible on any device for daily reminders.
Save Images on Your Phone – use your desktop wallpaper as a vision board.
Vision Board Success Stories
I hope this post has inspired you to create your own vision board!
Using mine, I’ve manifested incredible things—the love of my life, our dream wedding and honeymoon, a gorgeous vintage car, luxury vacations, and so much more. And I’m not alone—here are a few amazing success stories from my students:
After a traumatic breakup, Shannon used her vision board as a tool for healing and motivation. Filled with meaningful images and words, it became a daily reminder of her goals.
Here is her success vision board:
As she achieves them, she adds photos to celebrate her progress. This evolving board has helped her rebuild friendships, embrace an active lifestyle, and even buy a house.
Another wonderful vision board success story is this ‘written’ vision board on scrapbooking pages by Kathleen (Look how pretty it is!)
She hung it up in her office as a constant reminder and succeeded in most of her goals.
Samantha created a digital vision board on Canva and uses it as her desktop image. She loves how easily she can update it throughout the year with new images or inspiration.
A Canva vision board is one of the digital vision board ideas I share in my vision board course, plus as a bonus, you’ll get many pretty Canva templates where you can create a digital vision board in just a few clicks:
If you are interested in my vision board PRO toolkit, just click here. It’s on sale right now!
Amy has used vision boards to manifest major life changes, like moving to Vermont, meeting her soulmate, and building a life on an organic farm.
They’ve helped her become a green living expert, life coach, and retreat leader, even attracting media attention from HGTV and public radio.
Recently, she and her partner created a joint vision board to continue their journey together.
Another great vision board success story has relationship coach Carine (Carine Weiss Coaching) to tell: she created a vision board for her private and business life.
She manifested everything she hoped for: “Today I have my own podcast, I am a TV host of my own TV show, I have more and more clients, and I am more connected to the spiritual world than ever before.”
The next success vision board got retired ballet dancer Fiona back on stage and turned her into a published author.
That’s what she wrote about her successful vision board journey:
’I’m a retired professional ballet dancer who misses being on stage hugely. Thanks to my vision board, I have recently returned to the stage with Joburg Ballet, where I performed a guest artist role.
And in May last year, I published my book, ‘A Little Book of Tree Wisdom’ – and I donate to the global nonprofit ‘One Tree Planted’ to have one tree planted for every copy of my book that is sold, whether online (through Amazon) or print copy.
So far, I have been able to donate to have 300 trees planted around the world.”
I have to admit this vision board success story almost made me cry… The best part about manifesting more abundance is that it enables us to give back.
Gina created a multi-part digital vision board to guide her through a major career change. Initially feeling stuck after 20 years in her job, she wanted to reinvent herself and find her true purpose.
Inspired by my book Become the CEO of Your Dream Life, Gina shifted her focus and launched her retail business while also leaving her corporate career behind.
Though her spa/retreat idea hasn’t yet materialized, her vision board has kept her motivated and focused on her goals.
I love how Gina combined the power of a vision board together with my action-based manifestation technique I teach in my manifestation book.
The bold, inspired action she took really paid off!
But now it’s your time. Are you ready for your own vision board success story?
PS. If you want manifestation tips beyond this secret vision board guide, sign up here to get my community mails plus your free gift!
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