My Vision Board Experiment: Useful concept or a waste of cardboard and paper?

I first heard about vision boards from the one and only Oprah Winfrey. Not that she discussed this new phenomenon with me personally . . . it was via the television set . . . and to more than 1 million other viewers. (But that’s besides the point. I just like to say that Oprah first introduced me to vision boards.)

My second introduction came when I was reading through my National Association of Black MBAs magazine. Being that this was the second time vision boards came across my path, I decided to take a closer look. Simply put, the concept of vision boards can be compared to good old fashioned goal setting. Instead of words, however, you paste or tape pictures that represent your goals.

While I was researching vision boards, I came across another blog that said this: “We need first to be grateful for what we currently have so we can open ourselves to what’s in store for us.” I think that’s pretty insightful . . . and true. If we can’t see past our current position in life and appreciate what God has gifted us, then how will we ever come to appreciate what He has waiting for us behind door #2?

So . . . I went ahead and started my own vision board about a month ago, soon after I started my new job. I thought it’d be 1/2 cleansing, 1/2 motivating to start envisioning my best life at such an early age. I’m happy to report that so far, it has been. :)

My vision board (not pictured here) sits prominently right across from my office desk so that every time I glance up from the computer, I see reminders of where I’ll be in the next 5-15 years. I want to be debt free and have a significant KMA (kiss my a$$) fund stored up; I want to write for a nationally-circulated publication like Black Enterprise magazine; I want to marry my best friend and have at least one more child; I want to continue living a healthy life and have good skin and a nice body to show for it (selfish, I know); I would love to take a trip in a private jet to a destination of my choice, sky dive, traverse all 7 continents, and be successfully selling books that I pen.

For me, my vision board represents both short-term and long-term goals, and I’d like to think that at least 50% of my board will come to fruition by September 2014.

Truth be told, there is still white space on my board for now. But I’ll soon cover those areas with photos that represent me, just older, wiser, and more mature . . . and hopefully experiencing FINANCIAL FREEDOM! (Did I mention that I wanted to become debt free? :))

Stay tuned to see what comes of my little vision board experiment. You may just see my on The Oprah Show. ;)