Every year, I do the thing. I gather my magazines, my scissors, my glue stick, sit down with my coffee, get all inspired, and create a vision board for the year ahead.
I fill it with images of my dream life, my business goals, the relationships I want to nurture, and the person I want to become. My goal is always to make something beautiful, meaningful, and something I’m proud of. When I’m done, I always feel accomplished. And then… I put it away.
Ask me when the last time was that I looked at my 2025 vision board. Go ahead, ask. I’ll wait.
Yeah. I have no idea either. This year was somewhat of a bust, but I’m still going to do my vision board. And next year will be different.
Here’s the truth: Creating a vision board is not the same as using one. And if you’re like me—making it, loving it, and then forgetting it exists—you’re missing the whole point.
Vision Boards Aren’t Magic (But They Can Be Powerful)
A vision board won’t manifest your dreams just by existing. It’s not a decoration or a Pinterest project you do once and forget about. It’s a tool, and like any tool, it only works if you actually use it.
If you create it, shove it in a closet, and never look at it again, you might as well not do the process at all. But if you create it, look at it regularly, tweak it as you grow, track your progress, and analyze what’s working (and what’s not)—that’s when the magic happens.
Why Most Vision Boards Fail
Here’s why most vision boards end up collecting dust:
We treat them like a one-time activity. Like an art project we create, hang on the wall, and think it’s enough to get us through. Spoiler alert: it’s not.
Vision boards aren’t something we build into our routines. If we don’t see our vision board regularly, we’re going to forget about it. You know the phrase… Out of sight, out of mind.
Life changes and goals shift, but we don’t revisit or revise them. What we wanted in January might not make sense by June. But if we never look at our board, we’ll never adjust it.
And tracking progress feels like a chore. A vision board without accountability is just pretty pictures. We need to check in, see what we’ve accomplished, and celebrate the wins along the way.
This Coming Year, I’m Doing It Differently
I’m not abandoning vision boards. I’m just changing how I use them.
This year, like I have in the past few years, I’m creating mine in an artist’s book. Partly because I love the format and partly because it allows me to track the vision boards I’ve done over the past few years. But here’s the difference: I’ll be looking at it every single week.
Every Sunday, when I sit down to plan the week ahead, I’m opening that book. I’ll be reviewing my vision, checking in with my goals, and asking myself: What can I do this week to move closer to this life I’m trying to build?
Because here’s what I’ve learned: A vision board only works if you stay connected to it.
How to Actually Use Your Vision Board (All Year Long)
If you’re ready to make your vision board work for you—not just sit on a shelf looking pretty—here’s what you need to do:
1. Create It with Intention
Don’t just slap random pretty pictures on a board. Get specific about what you want. Think about your life, your business, your relationships, your health, your mindset, heck, even your finances. What do you actually want to achieve? What do you want to feel? Where do you want to be?
2. Put It Somewhere You’ll See It
If it’s hidden in a closet or shoved under your bed, you’re not going to look at it. Put it where you work, where you plan, where you spend time. Make it visible.
3. Review It Regularly
Set a recurring reminder. Weekly is ideal. Monthly at minimum. Look at your board. Reconnect with your vision. Remind yourself why you’re doing what you’re doing.
4. Track Your Progress
Don’t just look at it and move on. Track what’s happening. What have you accomplished? What’s closer than it was last month? What needs more attention?
5. Tweak It as You Go
Your vision will evolve. That’s not failure—that’s growth. If something on your board no longer fits, change it. Add to it. Adjust it. Let it grow with you.
6. Analyze What’s Working (And What’s Not)
At the end of each quarter, take a step back and assess. What goals are you crushing? Which ones are you avoiding? Why? What needs to shift?
Your Vision Deserves More Than a Shelf
You have dreams. Big ones. And those dreams deserve more than a pretty board you look at once and forget.
They deserve your attention. Your intention. Your commitment.
So this year, don’t just create a vision board. Use it. Make it part of your routine. Let it guide your decisions, your priorities, your actions.
Because the life you’re trying to build? It’s not going to happen by accident. It’s going to happen because you keep showing up, keep checking in, and keep moving forward—one small step at a time.
Ready to create a vision board that actually works?
Start by reading a blog I wrote a few years ago (when I was recording the Happy, Healthy, Mindful podcast). Then, if you need even more support, join The SheSupports Network. Inside, you’ll find a community, just for women, where we can lean on each other for support. Plus, you’ll also find The Vision Board Blueprint, a quick course where I walk you through the process of mapping out your dreams. In the course, you’ll have access to The Dreamer Workbook that helps you reflect on 2025 and dream big for 2026.
If you’re like me and have been looking for a virtual community that supports your dreams and helps you stay accountable to them, this is it.
Join the SheSupports Network and let’s make 2026 the year your vision becomes your reality.
