Vision Boards For Leaders: The How, The Why, The Action

You know, out of all the leaders I’ve spoken to, none have said that they don’t have goals. But, far too many straight up admitted that there’s some hurdle blocking them from reaching said goals. Let me introduce you all to vision boards. Or, in their simplest form, pieces of paper with your targets in fancy words and pictures written on them.

Okay, I don’t mean to hate on vision boards. Especially the ones used for manifestation. In reality, these are a great way to envision your future life, where you’ve successfully reached all the objectives you’ve set.

If you’ve been a leader or an executive long enough, you’ve probably heard of these already. Or, you might have even tried creating a manifestation vision board. But something didn’t work quite right, and here we are.

Well, today, I’ll guide you on how to create your very own leadership vision board. Instead of focusing on what fancy board you should get or whose quote will fit your goals best, we’ll look at the true, deep meaning behind these. Plus, I’ll let you in on some vision board ideas courtesy of our very own coaches at Wave.

The How Behind Leadership Vision Boards

Alright, let’s get straight into the serious stuff. And let me answer this swarm of questions that you have. How, Alex? How can writing down my goals and enriching them with pictures and quotes help me actually reach them?

The answer is simple, really – the art of manifestation. You see, having a form of your best self, despite being a mix of paper and ink and engaging with it, will allow you to see the road ahead.

It’s just like buying a blue car, and then, suddenly, everyone is driving a blue-tone vehicle. That’s simply not true; it’s all a matter of perspective. So, when you actively look at your ideal life, you can also see what steps you’ll need to take to reach that point.

I know this sounds crazy, but I’m no magician. As mentioned above, having the right mindset is key. This will, in turn, lead you to act differently and in accordance with what your future self would, bringing you closer to your end goal.

That’s the how, folks. But we won’t just scratch the surface level. Let’s actually find the why behind all this. Why do vision boards work? Why should you spend your precious time creating one? After all, a leader like yourself should value time and productivity at work more than anything else (besides coffee).

The Why Behind A Leadership Vision Board

Let’s explore the buzzwords I stated above. Mindset, manifestation, and all that. And, for this, I’ll need you to imagine that you have a board full of your deepest desires in front of you, be that personal or professional goals.

For starters, simply by looking at this beautiful creation, you’ll get a quick reminder of why all your efforts are worth it. Plus, it’ll actually give you a better look at your actual goals rather than what everyone else has forced down your throat. Thus, you’ll have a clear grasp of what your priorities should be and will be able to set them accordingly.

Now, let’s dive even deeper. From a scientific standpoint, visual information is more easily embedded in our minds. So, it seems fair that illustrating your dreams and goals with pictures and physical objects is better than just writing them down in your journal. Plus, let’s be honest; having a picture of a beautiful villa hits better than writing down, “I want to live in a big house”.

And, going back to manifestation and the emotional side of things. As a manager, an executive, a leader, you’ve probably had some nasty self-talk at one point in your life. Think of this leadership vision board as a message your future self left for you. A way to improve your overall self-confidence.

But, instead of telling you to buy Zoom stock and Bitcoin in the late-2010s, future-you shows you the beautiful life you lead if you stay on the right track. And it’s this exact board that keeps you on the right pathway to allow you to reap the rewards down the line.

As for how the latter happens, most would say it’s pure magic. From my experience, it’s just having a positive mindset and saying, “Everything’s going to go well”.

Yet, we’re just starting. Putting all this theoretical stuff aside, I promised that we’ll take a look at manifestation vision boards for leaders from a practical standpoint, as well. So, let’s see how you can actually create a vision board that will effectively help you reach your goals, no matter how far or close they are.

Creating Your Effective Leadership Vision Board For Manifestation

So, let’s make one thing clear. Creating your personal vision board isn’t simple. I’m not going to yap about the materials you’ll need or the photos you should choose, or whether it should be physical or digital. There’s a bunch of stuff that’s a lot more important than that!

The Basics

Before you start enriching your vision board, it’s brainstorming time. Or, rather, it’s time to practice some mindfulness and reflect on everything you’ve done so far. Understand where your successes lie, and acknowledge where you can improve.

This will be the very beginning of your vision. Instead of focusing your board on the road to that vision, the focal point must be the end goal; the result of all your sacrifices.

1. What Leader Are You?

Are you the type to inspire with bold visions, or are you the one steering the ship through turbulent waters with a calm hand?

Your core values and leadership style are the foundation of your vision board. Your philosophy! The first step to ensure your board isn't just a collage of dreams. It’s a rather a representation of your leadership DNA.

2. What Leader Do You Want To Be Remembered As?

Now, let’s shift gears to the legacy you want to craft. Think bigger. Are you the leader who transforms the workplace culture or the one who mentors the next wave of industry disruptors?

Your vision board should be a mirror reflecting the impact and imprint you want to leave in your wake, be that at work or in your personal life. It’s about visualizing not just success but significance.

The Effective Steps

Once your first self-reflection is done, you’re ready to embark on this long, long communication trip with your future self.

1. Short-Term And Long-Term Goals

Strike a balance. Dreaming big is part of the game, but let’s not forget the power of small wins. Your vision board should be a blend of sky-high ambitions and down-to-earth goals.

Bite-sized milestones are the breadcrumbs that lead to your bigger picture. They’re not just tasks; they’re the stepping stones of your leadership journey.

2. Diversify Your Vision

Remember, leadership is more than just boardrooms and bottom lines. It's a multidimensional role. So, your vision board should reflect that. Have a section for work and one for your personal growth. No leader, no manager can be whole if they neglect their personal life. This is about you painting the full picture. You’re someone who values growth in every aspect of life! You don’t just care about the things happening within your office.

The Future

You’re… We’re on this journey now. But let’s not forget about always looking ahead!

1. Embrace Change and Growth

As your career progresses, your goals and aspirations will likely shift. Acknowledge and embrace this growth. Your vision board should be a living document that reflects not only where you are headed but also how far you've come.

When you notice that certain elements of your vision board no longer align with your current or future aspirations, it’s time to update. This could mean replacing old images with new ones that better represent your evolving goals or even adding new sections as your life and career take new turns.

2. Create a Timeline

While you don’t need exact dates, having a rough timeline for these aspirations can be motivating. Place your goals in a sequence that makes sense to your journey, creating a visual path from the present to the future you aspire to.

As you plot out your future, remember that timelines can change. Flexibility is key. If certain goals take longer to achieve or your priorities shift, adjust your timeline accordingly. This keeps your vision board realistic and attainable.

Personalize Your Leadership Vision Boards

So, let me make something clear. Manifestation vision boards for leaders need to have a good foundation. I’ve stressed this enough above. But this doesn’t mean that you can’t have some fun with it!

Let’s infuse some of your personality into the board.

Physical Or Digital

Okay, I said that I wasn’t going to talk about this, but a small mention won’t hurt anyone. Pick a side. Physical or Digital? The choice should resonate with your lifestyle.

If you love the tactile sensation of paper and images, go physical. But a digital board comes with some more flexibility. And, in my opinion, if you’re creative, you can create a killer board with the digital tools that are around!

Images and Colors To Use

Are you drawn to nature? Incorporate landscapes and natural elements. Are you a tech enthusiast? Then, futuristic cityscapes and cutting-edge gadgets might be more your style. The colors on your board should reflect your personality, too. Vibrant and bold if you're energetic; softer, more serene hues if you're calm and reflective.

Besides that, as promised, I’ve added a handful of vision board ideas correlating to the goals that you want to reach!

Relationships

Images that capture the essence of strong, healthy relationships. Visuals of people working together, a circle of hands united, a high-five after a successful project.

The colors should be bright and inviting - think of the warmth of a yellow that suggests friendliness, the trust of a deep blue, or the growth represented by a vibrant green.

Family and Friends

Here, you’ll need to show your true warmth and love. Photos that capture those priceless family dinners, friends laughing together, and memorable moments with loved ones.

The visuals should radiate that warm feeling you get when the holidays come around. Rich reds symbolizing love, bright yellows for joy, and comforting oranges representing a sense of belonging and community.

Professional and Personal Growth

For career aspirations, select imagery that reflects achievement and progress. A confident figure addressing a crowd, a serene yet commanding office space, or a series of ascending steps. The visuals should be powerful and assertive - royal purples for leadership, bold reds for passion and drive, and motivating blues for ambition and growth.

For your personal growth, it’s all about evolution and learning. A serene image of someone in contemplation, a bright lightbulb moment, or an open, inviting path. The colors here should inspire and uplift - the intellectual blues of deep thought, the optimistic yellows of inspiration, and greens that signify growth and development.

Don’t forget about the images of your favorite hobbies, a picturesque travel destination, or a peaceful reading nook. Vibrant colors full of energy - the playful pinks of a sunset, the adventurous reds of a mountain trail, or the soothing hues of a beach retreat. Because, yes, fun and recreation are a big part of personal growth!

Your Vision Is Just A WAVE Away – R.I.D.E Along

Vision boards, eh? If you weren’t a believer in these, I bet that you’re already readying up your very own board. Just remember one thing. These should look ahead to the future but celebrate the small wins. So, set goals for 5, 10, even 20 years down the line, but don’t forget to acknowledge every small step you make towards these. And Wave is always here to help!

At Wave, we’ve helped our clients create their own manifestation vision boards as a way to expand on and achieve their goals. Through self-Reflection, targeted blocker Investigation, and, most importantly, urging them to Do stuff that matters, they’ve reached their future self. And they’ve Elevated their game to get back on track and RIDE the Wave!

Interested in starting working on your goals? Book your first session now.

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