Vision Board

We have all heard the phrase "A picture is worth a thousand words."  That also applies to goal setting.

For anyone that has ever had a goal to lose weight, the biggest motivator is a photograph of yourself at your target weight.  It serves as a confirmation that your goal is tangible and achievable.  Even if it is hard!

Several years ago, I took a class on goal setting and they stressed the importance of creating a "Vision Board".  A Vision Board is a poster you make using photographs, magazine clippings, and your own drawings to make a visual representation of exactly WHAT you want to achieve.  It's not only a fun exercise to do, but if you keep the finished product in your vision (at home, the office, etc.) you may be pleasantly surprised when all those goals start showing up in your life.

Today, many people find creating a poster of their dreams a little awkward.  Maybe you can't find magazines that have the pictures you want.  Maybe you're a terrible artist and feel silly trying to draw your goals. Maybe there is no wall space available in your house to hang your poster.  Or, maybe you just want to keep your dreams and aspirations private.

Well, thanks to Oprah, there is free website where you can create a Vision Board online.  O Dream Board allows you to create a Vision Board, complete with text and graphics.  They even provide you with a library of graphics to use (courtesy of Getty Images), or you have the option of uploading your own.

Each vision board you create can be saved with it's own name.  You might find that you want to have multiple boards to reflect multiple goal themes.  One board may be dedicated to achieving a healthier body, while another might help visualize your passion to travel.  The possibilities are endless.

Once you have created your vision board, you can edit it any time.  You can change the background, add in new photos, delete old ones, etc.  You can print a copy of your vision board or even save it as a JPG file, allowing your vision board to serve as your computer's background.

Finally, if you would like to share your vision board with others you can...  via Facebook, Twitter, or email.

To use the O Dream Board, you will need to be a member of Oprah.com.  If you don't have an account already, you'll be asked to join when you first log in.  Joining is easy and also free.

Oh, and if you are wondering if Vision Boards have any application to Homeschooling... I have to say YES, YES, YES.  Afterall, you can never be too young to have a clear set of goals.  Helping your kids to visualize their goals is a wonderful lesson to learn at any age.