A couple of years ago I wrote a blog post about how to create a creative vision board for this decade. I was pretty chuffed with my vision board and enjoyed its company and guidance, until I reused the actual board for something else.
I am happy to announce that I have gotten a bit smarter over the years.
At the time, I was really intriged by the whole positive psychology movement. Things like the law of attraction and speaking truth over your life, consumed my thoughts.
Don’t get me wrong – there is a whole lot of truth and positivity to positive psychology! But here’s the thing…
You can’t sweep rubbish under a carpet and expect it to go away!
You need to deal with it. As romantic as it sounds, you can’t just speak and live positivity over the hurt and anxiety of the past. Unfortunately, there is an element of opening Pandora’s box. We need to become vulnerable, lose a bit of control and lean into the things that makes us uncomfortable! (Anxious, fearful, paranoid…)
It is call authenticity!
I really love dictionary explanations of words – but to keep things real simple – authenticity, is when there is harmony between what you think and what you say or do.
This isn’t a “how to” post!
I think I did a sterling job the first time around! This is a “Why” blog post.
Authenticity is when there is harmony between what you think and what you say or do.
Why do we need a vision board?
Over the past couple of years, decade perhaps? I have had one major goal consistently. It’s been a goal I have failed at misrebely consistently over a number of years! In 2014, I was on a bit of a roll and made some tremendous progress, yet, after a detrimental financial crisis and one failed marriage, I kind of gave up all together!
My goal was (is) to lose weight and live in healthy and strong body!
One thing I have achieved in 2018, is the realisation that I am tired of focussing on the same silly goal year-in and year-out! I need to smash it – on a sustainable level and move on to the next thing!
There are people living in poverty, dealing with the aftermath of rape and the effects of human-trafficking!
And here I am, wasting valuable time and resources on trying to lose weight!
Now I’m not trying to make you feel guilty, not at all. But, seriously, can we get real! (I am including myself in here!) The world is crying out for help!
When will we listen and do our bit?
Here’s what I propose
Our goals and ambitions are not futile – anything that we mull over time and again deserves our attention. Core lies and insecurities are what we are made of!
However, let’s get cracking! Settle it, once and for all!
Start by reflecting on your life, as it is right now. Yup, no need to wait for the end of the year (my timing is a little ironic, I know!)
Identify what you would like to ditch, keep and try.
Prioritise your time and focus
I have a little goal settings checklist. Naturally, it is something I use at this time of the year, in order to help me choose a word for the year and set some goals.
Download it, use it, rewire it to your needs. Do what you need to do, to get a grip and deal with this little burden in life that is holding you back!
Once you’ve done all the little exercises I suggest, sit down and make a list!
Write down your priorities for the next season. My lists looks something like this:
- Quality time with my partner and my kids.
- Changing my subconscious mind.
- Capoeira.
- Walk and train with Al.
- This little blog and the business I want to start.
For the next season in my life, it may take longer than a year, these are my priorities.
80/20 Principle
It is time for us to spend most of our time – the 80% – on things that are important to us. The important things or priorities, should be roughly 20% of the things in your life!
The things you’ve listed as priorities.
Why are you making a Vision Board?
Here’s what I think. I think our vision board should reflect our priorities in life at the moment. Honestly, nothing stops you from making a new vision board in a year from now, once your priorities have shifted.
Your vision board goes hand-in-hand with your goals, but the vision board reminds you of your why.
Why is your goal important?
Why should you keep pushing when all you feel like doing is giving up!
While doing a research for this post, I stumbled on to a really handy TedTalk by Bethany Butzer.
Bethany refers to authentic goals and authentic success. Even though this post is not about what your goals are. It is about choosing to prioritise and displaying your priorities in a visual way in the form of a vision board of sort.
I believe, the idea of choosing well and being realistic when setting a goal or choosing a vision is crucial!
Align your Goals, Priorities & the Vision Board
Let’s relook at my goal of losing weight. I want to be healthy and strong, in order for me to be less obsessed about how I look and feel and more focussed on my loved ones.
I will achieve this goal by changing my subconscious mind or the way I think.
All this will lead to training, healthy eating and lifestyle changes that are sustainable!
Sustainability will lead to smashing my goal.
Which will in turn lead to a thriving little business and Capoeira practice that’s running the show in my head. (The last part makes no sense, but I will explain this in another post, at some point in time.)
Based on this little ramble it is clear that my goals are intertwined with my priorities. The sum of it all, the big picture, is aligned with my long-term goals and outlines what my vision board should consist of.
Let’s recap!
- Self-reflection and gratitude allow us to recap where we are and acknowledge our achievements.
- The Ditch – Keep – Try worksheet allows you to take stock of life as it is at the moment. Choose things you want to ditch or abandon. Identify things that are working, along with things you want to try.
- The goal setting worksheet allows you to question your goal, aligned focus areas and break down your goal in short, medium and long-term goals.
- Determine your priorities and write them down.
- Align your goals, priorities and construct a vision board that answers you why!
In the comments below
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