What are vision boards?

Vision boards, also known as dream boards, are tools used in goal setting. They involve creating a visual representation of one's aspirations and desires. People typically gather images and symbols that pictorially represent what they want to achieve and arrange these on a board. The idea is that by seeing these visualizations regularly, individuals can stay motivated and focused on their goals.

The process and popularity of using vision boards are often linked to their ability to engage our visual experiences, making goal definitions more tangible. For instance, instead of merely thinking about a goal, a person might cut out pictures or words that represent this goal and place them in a frequent line of sight, such as next to a mirror or on a bedroom wall.

However, while vision boards can help in defining and visualizing goals, their effectiveness in actually helping achieve those goals can vary. Research suggests that just imagining the achievement of goals (as facilitated by vision boards) might trigger a physiological response that results in a feeling of satisfaction, potentially decreasing the motivation to pursue the actual goals. This is because it can create a psychological space where one feels like the goal is already achieved, hence reducing the drive to act towards it 1 2 3.