So many people contacted me about vision boarding. I thought I'd do a primer on them to encourage more of you to create your own. What better time than the beginning of a New Year to figure out what's important to you, how you want to grow, and what you really need to do by year end? (And if you really procrastinate, don't worry--there's CHINESE New Year at the end of the month.)
What's a Vision Board?
For me, a vision board is a collage of symbolic words and images. It's a visual prompt that reminds me of what's important.
Why create a Vision Board?
Before I begin any novel, I spend a week creating a vision board that expresses my character: her dreams, her fears, her story arc. This collage of character set before my computer enables me to sink into my story quickly...important when there are a hundred billion other things competing for attention. Say, the unpaid stack of bills. Or the wedge of brie cheese in the fridge.
Almost every year, I also create a Vision Board to capture what's important to me personally: how I want my family to be, how I want to grow, what I want in life, where I want to commit my time and energy. Since I seem to have a predisposition to saying YES to everything that is asked of me, I've found it's easier to say NO with a visual reminder of what's on my "A" list...and what's not. These boards are my soul's gatekeeper, vetting the opportunities that come along. Making sure that my YESes are the commitments that lead me to my Mountain, rather than take me astray to pretty meadows that go nowhere.
How do you create a Vision Board?
Easy!
1. Braille the world for imagery. I pillage cards that people have sent me. Catalogs. Magazines. Photographs. My kids' art projects. My own scribblings. Collect, scavenge, reuse.
2. Find a sturdy board.
3. Get glue.
4. Paste images down.
5. Hang up Vision Board in a prominent place.
Let me know if you make a Vision Board! I'd love to hear!
Today I am grateful for people who don't think I'm crazy or too woo-woo or complex. (Vision Boards rock!)
Thanks Justina! This is really great. Sounds like the perfect visual for staying focused, and boy, do I need that!
ReplyDeleteThis is why I always rave about your voice. I've settled for calling them collages. Next time you're on Whidbey, I want to invite you to see my vision boards. Welcome home, by the way.
ReplyDelete