The Family Vision Board
October 10, 2009 by Christine Gooding
Filed under Home & Living
It is said that the more you see something in your mind, the more you will be likely to claim it. That is the purpose of visualization exercises. It can take different forms — thinking of that experience you want to have before going to sleep, creating a “Wish Journal” which will be filled with images of things you visualize for yourself, or have a visualization board, much like the journal only this one’s up against the wall.
What if you created a Vision Board for you and your family?
Image by Cat
Set up a corkboard in a common area. Perhaps that’s the kitchen or the family hall. This is the place where you and your family will post each one of your wishes.
Encourage the family to participate.
- Ask each one what they envision for themselves, material or immaterial. Do they desire a trip to the mountains? Do they want to graduate valedictorian? Do you envision a clean, spotless home?
- For each vision, find a corresponding image in old magazines. Cut out the image and post it on the board. For example, Dad can cut out a picture of a skiing vacation resort, Anne can post a picture of a graduate with medals, and you can cut out a spread from a design magazine.
Monitor the vision board. Do make everyone aware that just because it’s up on the board, it doesn’t mean it’ll happen right away. The vision board is a reminder of the things and experiences each one of you looks forward to. They can be goals each one of you can work for.
Encourage your children to envision experiences more than material things. It’s alright to have a picture of the latest video game console up on the board or the newest car model. But do encourage them to think about positive experiences they would like to have for themselves — pictures of their ambitions (doctor, teacher, etc.), trips (camping, joy rides), activities (picnic on top of a mountain, horseback riding).
The Family Vision Board is a good way to be in touch with each family member’s wishes. It can bring you closer too as you help one another work towards their goals.
Yes! Awesome idea. I made TWO smaller (more manageable!) vision boards – one for my office and one for home. I found that using more pictures and less words worked the best for me. I’m also going to try to ‘change the landscape’ of the boards from time-to-time to keep them fresh.
For extra inspiration I went for some good-looking cork boards with custom frames on them that I picked out online at http://www.wholesalecustomframe.com/ . I’m sure there are other places as well, but FWIW this place was pretty cheap.