Image from crossfitroundrocktx.com
I don’t know about you ladies, but I’m not one for making New Year’s resolutions these days. Something about the very phrase “New Year’s Resolution” leaves me feeling doomed to fail. According to Forbes.com only 8% of us who make resolutions actually keep them anyway. I am, however, a big fan of living an intention based life. To live this way isn’t always easy, but it is always worth it. One of the actions that will bring your intentions to fruition in 2014 is to create a “Vision Board”.
Not familiar with a Vision Board? It is a simple project that can produce anything BUT simple outcomes. A Vision Board is a physical representation of the intentions you wish to manifest in your life. I’ve heard some people describe these boards as “magical”. The board is the tool but your vision, thoughts and emotions provide the magic.
To begin, find a quiet space where you will not be interrupted for 15 minutes. Sitting comfortably, close your eyes and begin to ask yourself what feelings you wish to predominantly experience in 2014. That’s right, feelings. We usually think we want things but what we all truly want is to experience positive feelings as often as we can. Think about it. We want to fall in love because of how it feels. We want to wear fabulous clothes because of how we feel in them. We want to take exotic vacations because of how we will feel when we are on them. Our feeling states define how we experience our lives. For your board to be successful, you need to become very clear about the feeling states in which you wish to spend most of your time this year. When I talk with my clients about this project, I often end up hearing responses such as peace, joy, happiness, contentment, love, forgiveness, etc. Those responses come from being connected with our true inner selves…so take the time to sit and reconnect with yours.
Once you have realized what you truly want the FUN BEGINS! Break out the glue sticks and scissors, then purchase a piece of poster board. Gather up as many magazines as possible. I like doing this with a group of friends (over wine and appetizers of course) so that we can share magazines. Rip out images and words that speak to you. This year I ripped out a photo of a gorgeous black, Audi convertible. The picture represents a beautiful vision of me driving fast with the top down, music blaring and the sun on my face as I head towards Wrightsville Beach. Sheer perfection.
Organize your pictures and phrases into a design that is pleasing to you and then glue them to the poster board. Some people group them into themes or topics while others place them randomly. When you are done, find a space in your home or office where you can hang the board. It needs to be a spot that you see frequently throughout the day. Here is where the magic begins. As often as possible take a few minutes to look over the entire board. Let your eyes and mind rest on each image and allow yourself to create an inner experience of it. For example, when I was dreaming about moving to this area and building my dream home, I made a board with pictures of what the interior would look like. I frequently stared at it and walked through the home in my mind, experiencing the excitement, joy and gratitude of owning it. Approximately one year later I was living in North Carolina and building my current home. The key to attracting the pictures on the board is allowing yourself to FOCUS on them and to experience all of the positive outcomes AS IF YOU ALREADY HAVE THEM.
Above all, have fun. This activity is meant to spark creativity and ignite passion, so enjoy it. I wish you all the best in 2014 and hope that your greatest intentions become your newest realities.
For more details on creating vision boards please check out these links.
Oprah.com, What the Heck’s a Vision Board
Christine Kane, How to Make a Vision Board
Jack Canfield, How to Create an Empowering Vision Board
Do you create Vision Boards for your year, special projects, personal or work life?
Kelly Sullivan Ruta, LCSW
Owner of Milestones Counseling, PLLC in Wake Forest
Kelly is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with nearly 20 years of experience. She began her career in New Jersey and spent 14 years supporting students, family and staff in the public schools and a privately owned psychotherapy practice. Kelly and her family moved to North Carolina in 2009.
Kelly has expertise in the areas of addiction and eating disorders but has also recently added working with pre and post-surgery bariatric patients to her interests. In addition to these issues, Kelly enjoys working with clients who are met with a myriad of other challenges including mood disorders, anxiety, trauma recovery, relationship issues and self-esteem struggles. In her free time, Kelly enjoys spending time with her husband and two young sons as well as feeding her addiction for interior design projects. She loves reading, learning about Eastern philosophy and having “girl time” with friends.
Kelly is the keynote speaker at an upcoming weight loss and empowerment workshop called RESOLVE TO RESULT. She will be speaking on harnessing the power of intention Saturday, January 25. For details and registration visit www.promeweightloss.com.
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