Hey Ambitious Fam! Now that we have reflected on the previous year (if you missed that step, please go back to this post!) we have more clarity about which areas of life we want to improve or maintain in the new year. One way to harness those findings is to create a vision board! I mentioned in my January Bucket List post that I’ve always loved the idea of a vision board, but I had a few reservations about creating a physical collage. After purchasing a digital planner (stay tuned to the blog for more info on digital planning!) and following along with The Flourish Planner’s content, I realized that a digital vision board was the perfect solution! 

Why Create A Digital Vision Board

Vision boards (in general) combine the powers of manifestation and visualization to help bring your aspirations to life. Even if you don’t buy into the idea of manifestation (which I highly suggest you do some research on), vision boards serve as a reminder that keeps your goals at the forefront of your mind. This, in turn, acts as inspiration and theoretically makes you more likely to pursue them. 

I love the idea of a digital vision board because it reduces some of the fuss associated with purchasing/selecting the right magazines, the mess of an arts and crafts project, and the obligation to hang it somewhere in your space. It is also more compatible with my lifestyle. I access a ton of devices on a daily basis and having my vision board digitally allows me to view it across multiple devices. Currently, my digital vision board is saved as the lock screen of my iPad and is also located on a page in my digital planner. 

How to Create A Digital Vision Board

Below are the details of how I was able to create my digital vision board (click here to watch a 30-second video of the process!). Please note that there are many ways that this can be done that do not include owning an iPad or paying for a program–I just used the tools that were already available to me and I encourage you to use the tools that are available to you. This exercise can easily be done by using a Pinterest board, a word document, or you can even opt to make a physical vision board! 

Tools:

• iPad/Apple Pencil
• Procreate App ($9.99 one time purchase)
• Pinterest/Google
• Photos App

Step 1: Set the Tone

Before you start creating, it is important to get in the right headspace for the practice. Review the reflections that you made about the previous year so that your intentions and goals are fresh on your mind. Create an atmosphere that is relaxing and meditative (play some music, light a candle, ya know the vibez). It takes courage to admit the things that you want, even more courage to believe that you can actually have them. This is not the time to hold on to limiting beliefs–this is the time to be audacious about your desires. After all, magic is really very simple, all you’ve got to do is want something and then let yourself have it! (thank you, Grandma Aggie–cue Ariana Grande’s Just Like Magic). 

Step 2: Select Images

Now that you have set the tone for the practice, it’s time to start selecting the images. When searching for the right images, there are a few criteria to keep in mind. The pictures should either capture the way you want to feel in the new year (ex. calm, happy, strong, productive), the way you envision your ideal day (ex. hobbies/activities, wake up/bedtime, wellness), or your goals (ex. work, financial, personal). They can be as trivial or grand as you like! I like to search for text and quotes to include as well for extra motivation. The images can be found using search engines like Pinterest and/or Google. For easy access later, I recommend saving the images in an album on your device. 

Step 3: Drag, Drop, Arrange

After you have collected your images, open the Procreate app, and create a new screen size document. Swipe up (at the bottom-center of the screen) and drag the photo app up next to the open Procreate document to enable the split-screen function on your iPad. From there, you will be able to drag and drop the photos from your vision board album to the Procreate document. Once you have imported the images, you can return to full-screen use of the Procreate app. Arrange the photos in a way that is visually pleasing to you! 

Step 4: Add Some Razzle Dazzle

One of the reasons that I chose to create my digital vision board within the Procreate App was because I wanted the option to add my own flair. Think of this as the glitter portion of the arts and crafts project. My arrangement didn’t have as much pink as I would like, so I added some outlines, underlines, and hearts. This is totally a skippable step, but I’m a sucker for details. 

Step 5: Save Board Where You’ll See it

In order to fully reap the benefits of the digital vision board, you have to actually see it. Save it as the wallpaper/screensaver on any of your devices, in a digital planner/journal, or print it out if you would like. Schedule some time in your morning routine (or preferred time of day) to view the completed board with intention (actively instead of passively), reflect on your goals, and the actionable steps that you can take to make them happen. If you want to go the extra mile, you can make separate vision boards for different areas of your life. For example, I plan on making one for my financial goals as well!

Remember: you are worthy, capable, and deserving. Congrats on taking this step to visualize your dreams!