Between Pinterest, Canva and the various female-led business groups I engage in, I see a lot of demand for vision boards. Especially at this time of the year (I’m writing this article in November 2025).

Vision boards (also known as visualisation boards or dream boards) can be powerful tools for clarity, connection, and intention, but only when they are created with deep self-awareness and revisited with purpose. In other words, a vision board alone is not enough. How can it be?

What is a vision board?

Everyone’s vision board looks different. Typically, it’s a visual collection of images, words, and symbols that represent the goals, feelings, and experiences you want to invite into your life. Like a compass but more fun! Part of the practice usually involves regularly reviewing the vision board as a way to remind yourself of what you’re working towards and what gets you excited and motivated.

Wishful thinking only gets you so far

Consider this: If I had a picture of LeanBeefPatty (if you’re not into strength training, think of a woman in peak physical condition) on my vision board, but took no actions (movement, fitness, lifestyle, etc.) that align with being healthy, what would happen? Unsurprisingly, nothing. Yet, from my observations on social media, people think they can put things like money and holidays on their vision board, take no action and somehow, their desires will materialise magically. If only.

Now, if you’re someone who has had great success with manifesting whatever is on your vision board without taking any action, congratulations. Sadly, this is not my experience. For transparency, here’s a picture below of my current vision board. The meaning behind the photographs is personal to me—to me, they are symbolic of abundance and happiness. For the record, I am not trying to become Buffy the Vampire Slayer. 

Do vision boards even work?

It depends on who you ask. While I doubt they are reading this article, many people associate vision boards with ‘woo woo’/Law of Attraction/The Secret (I could go on) nonsense. Others will whip out their past vision boards and passionately share how they’ve achieved everything on the vision board. I say make up your own mind. I’ve heard many stories from people who say they’ve manifested all kinds of things on their vision boards. Who am I to disbelieve them or steal their thunder by saying there’s no real science that proves anything definitively? 

A few points in this 2024 Forbes article caught my eye earlier this year when pondering if it was even worth creating a vision board for 2025:

• A survey conducted in 2016 found that one in five successful entrepreneurs use vision boards when starting their business, with around 76% of respondents reporting that their progress to date had aligned with their vision
• Interestingly, 82% of small business owners who used a vision board reported accomplishing more than half of their goals

5 ways to bring your vision board to life

If you’re still reading, I can only assume you’re a believer. I’m a believer too when vision boards combine with action, visualisation and persistence. Here are five simple ways to bring your vision board to life.

Make sure your vision board is yours

Sounds silly, right? When contemplating my apparent midlife ‘crisis’ (spoiler alert, there is no crisis in midlife), I pointed to how easy it is to get sucked into society’s expectations and timelines. If your vision board includes goals that actually belong to someone else (your parents or society more generally), it’s time for a refresh. Ask yourself, is this goal mine, or does it stem from outside expectations?

Look at your vision board regularly

Creating your vision board once a year and revisiting it in 12 months is like going to the gym once annually and expecting to wake up with a six-pack. Define what ‘regularly’ means to you (at least once a week, in my opinion), and if you find yourself forgetting to revisit your vision board, set an alarm on your phone.

Be prepared to take action

A vision board can guide you, but it can’t replace action (sadly). Don’t worry about the ‘how?’ Focus on following your own internal compass and intuition. Take the opportunities in front of you and don’t be too discouraged if a door doesn’t open for you. There is much outside of our control in this world. 

Inner work is a non-negotiable

Ignoring your inner blocks and limiting beliefs is not the answer, as both often form the invisible walls between you and your goals. Healing is hard. I speak from experience. You can’t outsource it. Healing is an inside job, and avoidance catches up with you sooner or later. If you’re open to journaling, I have several themed workbooks on Etsy to guide you as you go. Remember, without safety, there is no healing.

Purchase the workbooks

Journal Prompts for Trauma Healing Workbook

Journal Prompts for Anxiety Workbook

Journal Prompts for Mental Health

Update your board as you go

If we’re not changing and evolving, we’re likely going through the motions daily. Think about when you were a kid. You probably don’t yearn for the same things in adulthood, having gained more life experience. If something no longer aligns with who you are now, don’t be afraid to delete it from your board to make space for something better suited.

Most importantly, have fun!

Approach your vision board as an ongoing conversation with yourself rather than as a checklist. To ensure balance and include a wide range of opinions aside from my own in this piece, I’ve included thoughts from Mel Robbins, Dr Tara Swart and Dr Joe Dispenza. Check out the videos below.