Theme 19: The Power Of Vision Boards When Leading

Have you ever used a vision board as an approach to keep you focused and guided?

A vision board is a visualization tool used to create a collage of words and pictures that represent your present goals and dreams. I have been using them over the last 4 years and believe they are one of the most powerful approaches to achieve what you want in life. 

Jack Canfield, one of the motivational experts I follow and author of Chicken Soup for the Soul, is a huge proponent of vision boards. According to Canfield, representing your goals with pictures and images allows you to strengthen and stimulate your emotions because your mind responds strongly to visual stimulation. Our emotions are the vibrational energy that activates the Law of Attraction. 

Your brain will work tirelessly to achieve the statements you give your subconscious mind. And when those statements are the affirmations and images of your goals, you are destined to achieve them! – Jack Canfield

Here are some recommendations around creating a vision board

• Your vision board should be around A1 size. I buy sheets of A1 corflute which is relatively cheap and sturdy.

• Find pictures that represent or symbolize the experiences, feelings, and possessions you want to attract into your life, and place them on your board. Use photographs, magazine cutouts, pictures from the Internet–whatever inspires you. Be creative. Include not only pictures but anything that speaks to you.

• Your vision board can also include affirmations, inspirational words, quotations, and thoughts. Choose words and images that inspire you and make you feel good.

• Remember to include a picture of yourself on your board. Choose one that was taken in a happy moment. 

• Sometimes I also record statements to visualise my goals and dreams for example, “I am a highly effective coach” Use “I am” statements to train your brain that you are already doing these things as opposed to “I want to” become an effective coach.

• Put your vision board in a place where you can see it every day and be reminded about what it is you want. Imagine these goals and dreams as if they have already come true.

• Be mindful not to create too many visualisations on one board. I would use a maximum of ten.

• Create some time each day for visualisation practice which will increase your motivation to reach your goals.

• Enjoy the process!

If you have goals and dreams in place however struggling to keep focusing on them, I strongly suggest you illustrate them visually on a vision board. If you keep focusing on these things you will be surprised with the changes that will start happening in your life for example developing greater confidence and taking more risks. There is also nothing more satisfying than returning to boards you have created in the past. You will be amazed at what you have achieved!

Here is a link to a resource Jack Canfield has created to give you some further inspiration. 

21 Ways to Make Your Vision Board More Powerful

sean bailey managing director – company owner m +64 21 059 8305  e sean@empoweryounz.co.nz   christchurch new zealand  w empoweryounz.blogspot.com

“Helping organisations thrive, by enabling and empowering leaders”

 

Theme 18: Leaders Need To Read And Write!

 I recently came across this powerful message and thought it was worth unpacking in the context of leadership.  

Reading and writing are important activities for everyone. For leaders, investing time to reflect through writing or reading topical information supports our personal and professional development. Unfortunately with all the other priorities, we juggle on a day to day basis, taking (or making) the time to do this can be a challenge but one that is definitely worth overcoming!
 
The benefits are obvious however worth highlighting. Professionally, keeping up to date with best practice, considering and reflecting on other leaders’ experiences or researching topics relevant to your workplace can stimulate and shape your own thinking and approach. Often scenarios you are dealing with are not new so understanding how others have managed them can be helpful. On the other side of the ledger, reading for personal stimulation and development and reflection is also important.
 
Writing is equally beneficial. For me, it is an activity that helps me clear my mind, prioritise and reflect. It doesn’t have to involve a lot of time but there is something therapeutic about the act of physically putting pen to paper.
 
To overcome the time barriers we all face, try scheduling time in your day or week to do these activities – it will be worth it. Recently I have started getting up an hour earlier each morning (based on recommendations from great leaders) and using this time to read and write while I am fresh and alert. While I was a principal I also used to block out an hour or two every week to either catch up on some professional reading or record reflective notes on my performance. 
 
Here are some suggestions on how you can weave these activities into everyday life:

• Read an inspiring leadership text
• Read leadership blog posts
• Read leadership articles on LinkedIn
• Record reflections on the previous days leaning 
• Set goals for the day
• Write down 10 things you are grateful for
• Record notes from a motivational podcast you have listened to
• Write your own leadership blog!

Regular professional reading and writing do decrease our sense of isolation as it provides an opportunity to communicate inwardly and outwardly. We have so much to learn from ourselves and others!

sean bailey managing director – company owner m +64 21 059 8305  e sean@empoweryounz.co.nz   christchurch new zealand  w empoweryounz.blogspot.com

“Helping organisations thrive, by enabling and empowering leaders”