Vision Boards: A Tool to Manifest Your Child’s Dreams

Dreams don’t require one true and tried path to acknowledge and pursue them. There are numerous paths that kids and adults can take to achieve their dreams and lean into their passions. While no path is the “right” path, there are tools and resources along the way that can be helpful to most people.

Some of the ways to jump start a career include goal setting, accountability, networking, a sustainable health and wellness routine, and a commitment to learning new skills. Another tool that can be utilized by people of any age is the mindful practice of creating a vision board or dream board.

What is a Vision Board?

One advantage of a vision board is that it requires no financial investment or additional skill to utilize it to your benefit. A vision board is simply a collage of images, words, or ideas that inspire you towards your future. As its name cleverly suggests, it’s a visualization tool for manifesting your concrete, abstract goals as well as your wildest ideas. For kids, it doesn’t matter how small or large - or how realistic or not - their goals and dreams are.

By allowing a child to think outside the box, a vision board captures all these dreams and allows them a place to live. When completed, the vision board represents your curiosities, goals, aspirations, and ambitions. It should serve as a tangible, visual reminder of the life you seek to create for yourself and the lifestyle you deserve. Many people display their vision board somewhere they can see it often, as a way to keep their goals front and center.

Creating a Vision Board

A vision board is a combination of art and self-reflection. This means there is no right and wrong way to create it. Depending on the creator’s unique needs and wishes, it’s a project and process that is led by intuition and instinct.

When it comes to the creative process, vision boards can be made by hand using mixed media materials such as paper, magazines, newspapers, photographs, and artistic renderings. The sky's the limit when it comes to designing and creating a vision board.

Consider beginning by selecting and cutting images or words (or drawing them) from magazines or books. Then use your creativity and imagination by arranging and gluing them on a piece of poster board or other rigid material.

Let your vision guide you and have fun with the process. Just like goals and dreams, no two vision boards are alike. To get a better idea for what other people have created, and perhaps become even more inspired, try searching the internet for images of other vision boards.

Creating a vision board together with your child can be an ideal time to share a connection and strengthen your relationship.

The Process is Where the Power Lies

As the saying goes, the journey is what matters most. While the result of a vision board project provides a big impact, there is also power in the actual process of vision board creation. Like any meditative process, this project gives permission for the participant to quiet their mind, fully engage in the moment, and allow thoughts without judgement.

The great news is that kids are generally adept at allowing their minds to wander into places of wonderful discovery and possibility. The process of creating a vision board can help boost a child’s confidence, give them freedom to express themselves, and allow them to communicate their goals more effectively.

Here are some helpful questions to keep in mind as your or your child creates a vision board:

• What is my purpose? What are my passions?
• When or how do I feel my gifts and talents are most valued?
• What did I accomplish this year?
• What do I want to accomplish next year/next five years/etc.?
• What did I do this year that made me proud?

A Vision Board is a Living, Breathing Entity

A vision board should not just be a static reminder of your goals. It’s a pliable, fluid, living document that should evolve along with your wants and needs.

This means it’s not something to complete and then forget about. Find ways to help kids check back in on their progress with their goals. It’s perfectly acceptable to revise your vision board or create a new one to fit your changing needs.

After all, a successful business owner learns to adapt to the shifting market, economy, and customer demands. A vision board, and a child’s ambitions for their business, can become a springboard for adapting to the shifting needs of a business and personal life.

Enjoy the process of creating a vision board and the positive, affirming rewards of it!