Insanely Effective Vision Board Tips and Tricks

Building Momentum to Create the Life You Want in 2025

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By JENNY SMITH MATTFELDT Published January 3, 2025

If you’ve been following along with the Do Not Dec-sturb series, we’ve already tackled some big steps to prepare for an amazing 2025. Together, we’ve done a life audit to highlight our strengths and weaknesses, explored our dreams with 111 Wishes to envision the lives we truly want, and learned practical and spiritual ways to let go of others’ opinions so they no longer hold us back. Now, it’s time for the next exciting step: creating our vision boards!

Creating a vision board is hands-down one of my favorite ways to kick off the year it’s fun, inspiring, and sets a clear direction for what’s ahead. I also sometimes refer to it as a prayer board because for me God is fully involved. This year, I’m more excited than ever. If you’re new to vision boards, start with the basics by reading How to Create a Vision Board that Really Works. But after years of perfecting the art, I’ve discovered some secret tips that will take your vision board to the next level and make it so effective, it just might blow your mind.

Set the Mood

Before you dive into creating your vision board, it’s essential to start in the right energy. Think clean, fresh, organized, and amped up. Clean your space, take an everything shower, put on some feel-good music, or scroll through Pinterest for aesthetics that inspire you. The most important step is getting into the right mindset: remind yourself that you’re allowed to go after anything you want in life, and you don't need anyone else's permission to want it. You have to find a way to leave behind any feelings of shame or embarrassment; those emotions create resistance and send a signal that you don’t feel worthy. Instead, embrace boldness. Be a little delusional, ask yourself, what if? Those dreams have to come true for someone, so why not you?

Shoot for the stars, but ground your vision in something you can actually believe is possible for you. Here’s the thing: your dreams should feel exciting and expansive, but not completely out of reach. For example, if your goal is to buy your first home this year, your vision board doesn’t need a $10 million mansion. Instead, imagine finding a home that’s not only within your budget but checks every box on your list, and maybe even surprises you with how perfect it is, in a location better than you ever dreamed. You never know just how good it could get.

For now, don’t worry about the how, just focus on the feeling you’ll have when you get there and where you want to end up. This is an exercise in faith. Lately, I’ve been obsessed with a quote (and I wish I could remember if I journaled it or read it somewhere):

"It is going to happen in the best way possible, at the best possible time. And the specifics are going to be so good that my logical mind could have never come up with it. Let go and let God."

Keep that energy as you dream big and create your vision board, and most importantly, have fun with this! Think of it as your way of communicating with the universe. If life is like playing a game, then this is your cheat code. You’re consciously taking the reins to create the life you want.

Here’s the thing: if you don’t ask or define the direction you’d like to go, how will the universe know what to send your way? Plus, your vision board will cue your brain, hello, Reticular Activating System, to stay on the lookout for opportunities that align with your goals.

Designing Your Board

When it comes to designing your vision board, keep it simple-ish. You want each image and element to feel intentional, not just a chaotic mess of photos. Let it be light, full of love, and grounded in the belief that what you’re envisioning will come to life, or something even better.

Trust, trust, trust the process. Start by focusing on a few main goals for the year, then organize your board based on the areas of your life those goals will impact. If you’re feeling stuck or need guidance on setting specific goals, check out my article Design Your Dream Life: A Goal-Setting Guide for Big Changes. The free goal setting workbook is the perfect starting point!

When choosing photos for your vision board, get as specific as possible, each image should spark an emotional reaction. You want those butterflies in your stomach, that little jump in your heart, even a twinge of jealousy! If you don’t feel something when you see the image, it’s not the one.

There are a few ways to find and use the right photos. Pinterest is my best friend here. Pro tip: instead of searching for something generic like “healthy eating,” try searching “healthy eating aesthetic.” You’ll find more visually appealing, inspiring images this way. Download the photos and create a collage using Canva, Word, or another tool. Bonus tip: set your finished board as your phone or computer wallpaper so you’re always reminded of what you’re working toward!

Here’s a tip that will instantly make your vision board 10x more effective: choose photos that reflect your point of view, the actual perspective you’d have if your dream were already your reality. For example, if you’re manifesting your dream car, skip the stock image of the car and instead find a photo of the dashboard view or what it would look like parked in your driveway.

If your goal is something like growing on Instagram or hitting a specific number in your bank account, take a screenshot of where you are now and Photoshop or glue in the number you’d rather see. The key is helping your brain get comfortable with the idea that this vision is already yours. It bridges the gap between imagining and believing.

Stock Photo of Your Dream Car (not specific enough)

Aesthetic Point of View Photos in Your Car (much more effective)

Make it a Party

There’s truly nothing more fun than hosting a girls’ night or date night where you come together to talk about your big plans and create vision boards. I once heard that the fastest way to manifest something is to put it in the heart of a woman who loves you, and I couldn’t agree more, whether romantically or with friends. Having a vision board night with a friend who’s also dreaming big is one of the most empowering and motivating feelings there is.

It’s also a great litmus test for your friendship. Do you feel comfortable dreaming big around them, sharing your accomplishments, and celebrating your wins? If you find yourself embarrassed to talk about your proud moments or the good things happening in your life, that could be a sign that the friendship might not be as supportive or healthy as it should be. Surrounding yourself with women and partners who encourage your growth and share in your excitement is one of the best ways to keep your energy aligned with your dreams.

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Remember, this isn’t something you can only do at the start of the new year! You can create this fresh, energized feeling whenever you need it, no matter the time of year. Personally, I love making a new vision board in the fall when the energy of seasonal change gets me going.

I am so excited, not just for my vision board, but for yours too! Just remember you are allowed to go after ANYTHING you want in life and you don't need ANYONES permission to do it. If you have any questions or just want to talk big dreams, please, please reach out to me anytime. I’m here for it!