E-Quipped to... Value a Vision Board

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E-Quipped to... Value a Vision Board

This newsletter introduces ‘ The Value of Vision Boards’ an article found on my website.

Here we are again… at that time of year when we make plans and set goals for the year ahead. It’s a great idea, because knowing where you want to go is important – How can you get there, if you don’t know where you are going?

With my sailing background, one of my favourite quotes is “If a man knows not what harbour he seeks, any wind is the right wind.” ~ Seneca ~

But a sailor does not just allow himself to be blown about the ocean. It doesn’t matter what the wind, he just resets his sails to take him in the direction he wants to go. In the same way, when you know what you want out of life, you can set your course to get there, no matter what the circumstances.

But, you need to know where you want to go… you need to have a vision!

To help you clarify your vision, it may help to create a vision board.

vision board

Image by: Kyle Pearce

What is a Vision Board?

A vision board is a collection of pictures of the things you want in life. It is literally a large piece of paper, cardboard or wood onto which you have pasted pictures of things that inspire you and that you want to have in your life. They can be tangible things, like the car you want to drive, or intangible things, like good health or tranquility, depicted in symbolic form.

The idea is that you put this collection where you can see it every day.

For more information about Vision Boards read my article: The Value of Vision Boards

Pictures are NOT Magic!

It is important to remember that the pictures themselves are not magic – you won’t get a Ferrari because you have a picture of it on your board! What a vision board does is focus your unconscious mind on the things you really want.

We know that what you focus on is what you get, because you make choices according to your focus. It is how advertising works. The more you see a brand the more likely you are to choose it. When you look at your vision board every day you are more likely to choose those things as you make choices in your daily life - and so you end up living the life that inspires you!

Your Vision Board Must Come From YOUR Heart!

To really work, your vision board must come not from society’s impositions, but from your own deep and unique inner self. A vision board only works when it comes from the heart!

To help you decide what YOU want out of life, just ask yourself: “What inspires me? What puts a smile on my face and makes life worth living? What do I really enjoy doing?” You can also think about your hopes and dreams. Then find pictures that will represent these things for you.

Imagine you are at Your own Funeral

Another powerful way of deciding what you want out if life is to imagine that you are at your own funeral and to ask yourself:

"What would I like to hear my relatives say about me and my role in the family?”
“What would I like my friends to say about me? What did I mean to my friends?”
“What would I like my colleagues to say about me and what I achieved in my career?”
“What do I want people in general to say about me and my life?”.

That’s what vision is – it’s knowing what other people will say about you at your funeral.

Do you know your vision? Are you living that vision? Is it your vision?

How Does a Vision Board Work?

As I mentioned already, what you focus on is what you get…your thoughts create your reality.

This is not a new concept - you have heard it all your life. Remember when you were learning a ball game – if you wanted to catch the ball or hit it with your bat, or your racket, you were always told to “watch the ball”, but when you were trying for a goal you were told to look at the goal – not the ball. In other words, what you focus on is what you get.

For more about how Vision Boards work read my article: The Value of Vision Boards

What you Focus on is What you get!

What you focus on is what you get. It doesn’t matter if it’s negative or positive – you will get it.

Ever said to yourself, “I mustn’t forget my…glasses?” and then promptly forgotten them? Why? Because your focus was on forgetting. Try saying, “I will remember my… glasses” and visualise yourself picking them up and see what happens.

I leave you with a well-known quote by Lao Tzu, philosopher and poet of ancient China:

“Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habit.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.”

Read my story about "How a vision board worked for me when I wasn't even trying!" in my article: The Value of Vision Boards

What do YOU Think?

Share your wisdom with others… How has a vision board worked for you?

Leave your comments here

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Thanks to Paul and Gillian for the feedback after last month's newsletter.

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New Content on my Site

Article:
From Self-Interest to Universal Principles: Kohlberg's Six Stages of Moral Development

Claire in the Media:

Listen to Claire on Air: Radio Al-Ansaar past programmes online

About These Newsletters

You may have been forwarded this email by a friend. In that case, allow me to introduce myself. I am a psychologist, speaker, trainer, coach and hat lover based in Durban, South Africa.

My goal is to inspire you to make the changes necessary to live the life of your dreams! I believe that by developing your YOU-Q - the term I have created to describe your unique intelligence, creativity and wisdom - you can find your Inner winner and live a Be-YOU-tiful life right now.

On my website you'll find more ideas to get you thinking about life, love, work and other important STUFF.

Contact me for more information or visit the website:

+27 82 491 1136
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www.clairenewton.co.za

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What is a Vision Board? A vision board is a collection of pictures of the things you want in life. It is literally a large piece of paper, cardboard or wood onto which you have paste pictures of things that inspire you and that you want to have in your life. They can be tangible things, like the car you want to drive, or intangible things, like good health or tranquility, depicted in symbolic form. The idea is that you put this collection where you can see it every day. Pictures are NOT Magic! It is important to remember that the pictures themselves are not magic – you won’t get a Ferrari because you have a picture of it on your board! What a vision board does is focus your unconscious mind on the things you really want. We know that what you focus on is what you get, because you make choices according to your focus. It is how advertising works. The more you see a brand the more likely you are to choose it. When you look at your vision board every day you are more likely to choose those things as you make choices in your daily life - and so you end up living the life that inspires you! Your Vision Board Must Come From YOUR Heart! To really work, your vision board must come not from society’s impositions, but from your own deep and unique inner self. A vision board only works when it comes from the heart! To help you decide what YOU want out of life, just ask yourself: “What inspires me? What puts a smile on my face and makes life worth living? What do I really enjoy doing?” You can also think about your hopes and dreams. Then find pictures that will represent these things for you. Imagine you are at Your own Funeral Another powerful way of deciding what you want out if life is to imagine that you are at your own funeral and to ask yourself: • “What would I like to hear my relatives say about me and my role in the family?” • “What would I like my friends to say about me? What did I mean to my friends?” • “What would I like my colleagues to say about me and what I achieved in my career?” • “What do I want people in general to say about me and my life?” That’s what vision is – it’s knowing what other people will say about you at your funeral. Do you know your vision? Are you living that vision? Is it your vision? How Does a Vision Board Work?As I mentioned already, what you focus on is what you get… your thoughts create your reality.This is not a new concept - you have heard it all your life. Remember when you were learning a ball game – if you wanted to catch the ball or hit it with your bat, or your racket, you were always told to “watch the ball”, but when you were trying for a goal you were told to look at the goal – not the ball. In other words, what you focus on is what you get. What you Focus on is What you get!What you focus on is what you get. It doesn’t matter if it’s negative or positive – you will get it. Ever said to yourself, “I mustn’t forget my…glasses?” and then promptly forgotten them? Why? Because your focus was on forgetting. Try saying, “I will remember my… glasses” and visualise yourself picking them up and see what happens.I leave you with a well-known quote by Lao Tzu, philosopher and poet of ancient China:“Watch your thoughts; they become words.Watch your words; they become actions.Watch your actions; they become habit.Watch your habits; they become character.Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.”