Hey Hey, Prosperity Partners!
Let's talk about vision boards. These bright, inspiring collages that we make to show our dreams are everywhere. But let’s get real: how often do these boards become just another piece of wall art?
I have created my vision boards many times and think they are great for planning, clarifying goals, setting intentions, and focusing on manifestation.
Vision boards lack a “next step” after completion, which is my issue. You can display it on your desk or office wall and maybe it will inspire you to be more creative. But this activity alone will not get you where you want to be.
That’s why people often have trouble picturing their dreams coming true. But today, we’re shifting gears. Let’s transform those vision boards into dynamic action boards!
The Reality of Vision Boards
We’ve all done it. I spent countless hours cutting out pictures of that dream home, the zero-debt lifestyle, that dream vacation, maybe even a brand-new luxury car. Your board looks fantastic! You immediately feel a rush of motivation.
But then, life happens. The board becomes part of the background, and those dreams? Well, they seem to stay stuck on the board.
The Missing Link: Action
Here’s the thing: a vision board is a starting point, not a destination. It’s like having a map but not walking the path. What is missing are the steps you need to take to turn those dreams into reality.
For example, let’s say your goal is to become a homeowner. You may place pictures of beautiful homes, maybe even from your dream neighborhoods. These pictures represent the goal, which is to own a dream home.
When you transition to an Action Board, however, you’re taking those images and turning them into actionable steps. You’re shifting from dreaming to planning, and from planning to achieving. Your initial vision board transforms into your actionable roadmap, guiding you toward homeownership with specific tasks and milestones.
In essence, an Action Board transforms your dreams into actionable plans, ensuring you are actively working towards achieving your financial goals.
Steps to Turn Your Vision Board into a Reality
Getting clear on your financial goals is the first thing you need to do to make your vision board come true.
For example, setting a clear and measurable goal like “I need to save about $20,000 for my down payment, closing costs, and moving costs” is a good way to keep yourself on track.
Being clear about what you want to achieve helps you make plans that will help you get there.
READ ALSO: 4 Ways to Use a Vision Board to Master Your Money
Actionable Steps
1. Budgeting
When it comes to budgeting, a detailed budget plan or a budget tracking spreadsheet can help you make a better financial plan.
You can make your approach more personal by adding a picture of you actively budgeting, like sitting down with your budget planner and calculator in hand.
This visual element represents managing money by hand, which makes your budgeting journey more relatable and inspiring for other people.
2. Expense Cutting
If you want to save money, you might want to use pictures that show people spending less, like people eating at home or taking the bus.
Personalize this by adding a picture of you and your family or friends holding a stack of cash (or even Monopoly money) to show how much money you have saved by making these smart spending choices.
This makes it more personal and shows how smart financial choices can make a difference.
3. Income Boosting
In your budget, include pictures or symbols that stand for side jobs or working extra hours to bring in more money.
For a more personal touch, make a mock paycheck or earnings statement from your new business to show how much money you could make from it.
This visual representation of your financial goals is both fun and accurate, adding excitement to your path to making more money.
4. Savings Milestones
When setting your savings goals, use a savings tracker or visual markers to help you stay on track.
Show a picture of you crossing these goals off of a chart or calendar to make it more personal.
This not only shows your progress visually, but it also records the times you reach your goals, making your savings journey more personal.
5. Financial Education
When you add financial education to your plan, use pictures or icons that stand for home-buying seminars and financial education.
You could add a personal touch by joining Wealth on Fire Academy and taking a picture of yourself in one of your courses, attending one of our Money Masterclasses, or actively taking part in a coaching session.
This shows how committed you are to teaching people about money and makes the learning process more personal.
How To Transform Your Vision Board to Action Board
Step 1: Break Down the Goals
Let’s start simple. Look at your goals—or your current vision board, if you've already created one. For each dream or goal, ask yourself, “What are the practical steps to achieve this?”
Need help breaking your goal down into smaller, actionable steps? My FREE “Crush Your Goals Course” is for you!
Step 2: Make It Visible and Practical
Now, tweak your board. Next to each dream, add images or notes that represent the action steps to actually achieving the goal—the habits you’ll need to adopt to get there.
Step 3: Daily Reminders Turn Into Daily Actions
Place your board where you’ll see it every day. But here’s the key: don’t just look at it; act on it. Set daily or weekly goals based on your board.
Why Personalized Action Board Works
An action board is not just about seeing; it’s about believing and doing. When you see images of yourself taking action—maybe photos of you cooking a budget-friendly meal—it's a powerful motivator.
For your financial journey, it strengthens the link between what you see, what you believe, and what you do.
The You-Factor
Remember, this board is all about you. It’s your dreams, your actions. So, personalize it. If you can, use pictures of yourself actually engaging in these actions. This personal touch can be a game-changer.
Going Beyond Visualization
The magic happens when your daily tasks align with both your short- and long-term goals. Your action board should serve as a daily checklist. Each small task completed is a step closer to your dream. This shift in perspective turns each day into a victory, no matter how small.
The Ripple Effect of Small Wins
Celebrating small wins is super important. Each time you tick off a task on your action board, you're building momentum. This momentum creates a ripple effect, turning small wins into major accomplishments.
Conclusion: Your Board, Your Journey
The process of turning your vision board into an action board is similar to setting your GPS to reach your dream location. It’s about making your dreams tangible, one step at a time.
It’s about moving from passive dreaming to active doing.
So, grab those scissors, get those pictures, and let’s turn your vision board into an action board. Let those dreams become your reality!
Remember, it’s your journey, and every step counts.
