How to make your vision board a reality

Colorful clips of images and words ready to be glued onto a vision board

Years ago, I made my first vision board. Well, technically, it was a vision corkboard, it was covered with pictures of things I wanted in my life. Health, a dream car, a cozy backyard — I pinned them all where I could see them daily, hoping they would somehow materialize.

And some of them did.

• That backyard oasis? It became a reality, not exactly like the magazine photo, but it was mine.

• The car? I saved up, financed the rest, and drove it into the ground.

• Getting stronger and healthier? I had my moments, but the progress was inconsistent.

• Quitting smoking? Took years.

• That hot relationship? In the end, it wasn’t a priority.

Looking back, the things I actively worked toward came true. The ones I simply admired on my board? Not so much.

Now, as a change and transformation coach who regularly hosts vision board gatherings, I’ve found one universal truth: if you slap a picture on a board and expect it to magically appear in your life, you’re in for disappointment.

But if you use your vision board strategically? That’s when the magic happens.

The science behind vision boards

Vision boards are powerful tools, not because they manifest things into existence on their own, but because they engage your brain in a way that makes achieving your goals more likely.

Psychologists have found that visualization — the act of vividly imagining yourself achieving a goal — can enhance motivation and increase the likelihood of success. However, not all visualization is equally effective.

A study by Gollwitzer and Brandstätter (1997) found that people who formed specific implementation intentions (i.e., plans that specify when, where, and how to act) were more successful in achieving their goals compared to those who only set general goals. ​

Similarly, research has shown that mental rehearsal can significantly impact performance. For example, athletes who engage in mental imagery and visualization techniques often experience improvements in their performance. This highlights the power of mental imagery but also reinforces the fact that visualization alone isn’t enough; it must be coupled with action.​

So, how do you make your vision board work for you?

Here are some science-backed strategies:

1. Don’t just look — immerse yourself in the vision

Looking at an image of the beach is one thing. But closing your eyes and actually feeling a drink in your hand and your toes in the sand, hearing the waves crash, and imagining the salty breeze on your skin takes it to another level.

Engage all your senses in your visualization. What drink are you holding? What airline did you fly to get there? What does your hotel look like? The more detailed and emotionally engaging your visualization, the stronger the impact on your brain.

2. Visualize the process, not just the outcome

If your vision board includes a picture of someone giving a TED Talk, don’t just picture yourself on stage delivering the speech flawlessly. Instead, visualize yourself preparing — practicing in front of a mirror, fine-tuning your slides, handling a microphone that suddenly stops working.

By mentally working through potential obstacles, you engage your brain’s problem-solving abilities and reduce anxiety about real-world challenges. This approach aligns with the concept of implementation intentions, which involve planning specific actions in response to anticipated situations.

3. Take aligned action

A vision board should be a roadmap, not a wish list. If you want to run a marathon, your board might have images of race bibs and medals—but what about the training schedule? The early morning runs? The commitment to proper nutrition?

Break your big goal into actionable steps and incorporate reminders of those steps into your vision board. Research indicates that setting specific, actionable goals significantly increases the likelihood of achieving them.

4. Reinforce your vision daily

Your vision board should be a tool for active engagement, not just a pretty decoration. Some ways to make it more effective:

• Use affirmations: Pair your images with power statements like, “I am confidently delivering my speech” instead of “I want to be a speaker.”

• Update it regularly: As your goals evolve, so should your board.

• Keep it in a place you can see it: If fitness is your goal, place your vision board near your workout space, not buried in a closet.

The takeaway

Vision boards are powerful, but they are not magic. The key isn’t just in creating one, it’s in how you engage with it. Visualization, when done correctly, primes your brain for success, helps you anticipate challenges, and reinforces daily action toward your goals.

So, the next time you sit down with a pile of magazines and a glue stick, remember: the real work starts after the board is made.