I really like the aspirational side of vision boarding — starting the year with intention, direction, and a reminder of what I want to build. But I realized, that’s only adding more — without first removing what didn’t work the year before. So now I treat my vision board as two connected practices:
Part One: Aspiration — hopes for the future
Part Two: Reflection & Elimination — what worked vs what didn’t in the previous year
Part One: Vision Board
Instead of common goals like – “get fit. be rich.” – *which are still great goals lol*, try breaking it down even further.
Here are my seven categories:
- Physical
- Mental & Emotional – how I want to feel day-to-day
- Spiritual
- Financial
- Career
- Hobbies – your interests are important
- Relationships – partner, friends, family, doggy, community
Find images that represent your goals. I usually find inspo on Pinterest, IG, or in magazines. I’ll screenshot them, upload to Canva or a blank Word/Pages doc, and print them. Then I’ll glue the images to a poster board and hang it somewhere I can regularly see. I’ve started framing mine so it looks more like an art piece than a temporary craft project.
Part Two: The Previous Year Reflection & Elimination
Once the vision board is complete, I’ll attach a sheet of paper to the back and answer a few reflective questions. As entrepreneurs, time and energy are our most valuable asset. So the next step is identifying how ours worked *or didn’t*. Before setting new goals, start with eliminating or reducing what worked against you.
Which habits, commitments, distractions, or relationships drained energy or diluted focus? your cue on what not to carry forward
Which experiences genuinely restored energy or brought joy? prioritize these for the year ahead
Which actions actually created momentum in my business? what moved the needle — not what just kept you busy
(Some examples: New systems. New tech. Attending events. Phone call catch-ups. Lunches with friends. Golf rounds. Gym conversations. Hiring out. )
More of: ____________
Less of: ____________
Word for the year & why: ____________
Reflection is the doorway to perspective, and the only way to gain perspective is through reflection.
The Takeaway
As I’ve gotten older, vision boarding has become less of “an aesthetic”, and more of an intentional practice. If you’re growth-minded, this two-sided approach keeps vision boarding inspiring and actionable.
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