[growlycat]

Has your t ever asked you to create a vision board?

Kashi has brought it up twice now. I have been struggling as to where to focus my free time in a way that is fulfilling not draining. I took a soap making class today and it was pleasant and social in a way that was not stressful. I want to make more stuff and use my design skills on the side to meet people and maybe make extra money.

My problem is that I can’t seem to focus. I have too many interests and I’m all over the place. Kashi said a vision board would help.

At first I hated the idea because I’m not a fan of “law of attraction” nonsense. But kashi made a good point. The board does not make these things magically happen. However it would make me mindful of what I really want and make me more likely to act on opportunities as they arise instead of missing them.

Anyone ever do a vision board for therapy? Love to see one if you want to share. Or if you have any links or YouTube videos on methods you like please share. Good or bad or in between I’d love to hear your experiences.

My t suggested one of these awhile back. I thought it was a great idea and started one, haven't added anything to it since I made this much, and I haven't even shown it to her yet! Oopsie! Anyway, here's mine, so far. btw I've done two of the things on it since I started it - went back to school of course, and went to see those lighthouses that are around Lake Havasu (that's one of them in the picture of a lighthouse). Kinda neat how that works - looking at it every day keeps me mindful of the things I want to do. Anyway here's mine!

[growlycat]

Art thank you for showing your board!!! It’s great that you already accomplished or started goals on your board.

How did your t describe to you how to go about doing this?

[stopdog]

It is a bit too arts and crafts for me. And mine would quickly delve into something like this:
https://despair.com/collections/demotivators

[growlycat]

I love the demotivational posters Stopdog!!! See that is my sense of humor so you can see how hard it is for someone like me to get into a different way of doing things. Years ago I would have told t to stick it where the sun don’t shine when in comes to stuff like this. Oddly, I’ve been humoring them lately and more willing to try stuff.

But I do appreciate the humor!!!

Originally Posted by growlycat

Art thank you for showing your board!!! It’s great that you already accomplished or started goals on your board.

How did your t describe to you how to go about doing this?

She didn't. It was just a quick suggestion that I wrote down in the midst of talking about something else and I never got around to asking what it was or how to do it - so I looked at some on google images and then dove in!

[growlycat]

(Ps I’m particularly fond of the Virtue poster)

[growlycat]

I did find this:
https://christieinge.com/9-steps-for...ctually-works/
Although the site is rife with misspellings it at least tries to outline how to do this.

[growlycat]

Now I just ran across this beaut which is hilarious:

[LonesomeTonight]

I saw a T for a few sessions when I was having intense anxiety during pregnancy. A vision board (or something like that) was one thing she wanted me to do (along with getting involved in some sort of religion). At the time, it was not helpful and like the opposite of what I needed. So I stopped seeing her.

Not sure my response is particularly helpful, but I just don't necessarily see the value in such an assignment, unless it's something the client wants to do (which seems like it was the case for you, Art!)

[growlycat]

As much as I joke I might just try it anyways. One thing some tutorials suggest is that after making such a board, you need to list things you will do to get you closer to your goals. Setting concrete deadlines for these mini goals makes it more attainable and less of a wish list to santa

[zoiecat]

I had to make one for DBT class. I was not thrilled but it does help you think about what you want what your goals are mine has some motivational sayings that I like pictures of things that give me strength. I have yet to put it up somewhere where I'll see it on a daily basis but I'm working on that

[seeker33]

I personally hate stuff that's supposed to be sweety-positive and having pictures of beautiful happy people and quotes I don't believe would just make me depressed. However, I've made an excel chart with activities I want to do on a daily and weekly basis and check each one when done. It feels good to see my accomplishment and it's more specific than pictures or quotes.

[Elio]

I don't by into the attraction part of the concept. However, I have used something similar (visual reminders) around financial goals, project status, fitness, and habit breaking. I guess they are more focus boards than "laws of attraction" boards for me.

I too love the demotivators. Though, more recently, I have started wondering if they are actually working in demotivating me, rather than just being funny.

[growlycat]

Kashi is thankfully not promoting “law of attraction” beliefs. Mindfulness, well yeah, but at least that is easier to swallow.

[Ididitmyway]

I love this video on vision boards

It pretty much reflects my attitude toward vision boards.

[growlycat]

Originally Posted by Ididitmyway

I love this video on vision boards

It pretty much reflects my attitude toward vision boards.

Great minds think alike. See my earlier post same link

[ruh roh]

I've done this in the past, but not at the suggestion of a therapist. The way I think of law of attraction is more along the lines of this: focusing attention on specific things (people, places, ideas, values, etc) makes us look for more of those things in life. So we're not actually drawing them to us, but we're more drawn to them. For example, when I'm interested in buying a particular car, I see that car everywhere. If I wanted to generate a particular experience in my life, and I put it in front of me as a reminder (whether that's a vision board or something else), I would start to see opportunities to do that thing--so it's not like those opportunities heard about my intention, but more that I got focused on it and, by focusing, can see it around me. I've done that with my business (only, not with a vision board so much as surrounding myself with the type of work I wanted to do) and it's worked really well.

[growlycat]

Originally Posted by ruh roh

I've done this in the past, but not at the suggestion of a therapist. The way I think of law of attraction is more along the lines of this: focusing attention on specific things (people, places, ideas, values, etc) makes us look for more of those things in life. So we're not actually drawing them to us, but we're more drawn to them. For example, when I'm interested in buying a particular car, I see that car everywhere. If I wanted to generate a particular experience in my life, and I put it in front of me as a reminder (whether that's a vision board or something else), I would start to see opportunities to do that thing--so it's not like those opportunities heard about my intention, but more that I got focused on it and, by focusing, can see it around me. I've done that with my business (only, not with a vision board so much as surrounding myself with the type of work I wanted to do) and it's worked really well.

Thank you for wording this better than I could. I don’t like the idea of the universe giving you presents because you want it, rather, it is the paying more attention to potential opportunities as they arise and taking action that makes things happen.

[InnerPeace111]

My T suggested I write out my intentions on a sheet of paper as opposed to creating a vision board. I can absolutely say it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself. Setting my daily intentions integrates well with my meditation and yoga practices. My intentions are not goals but rather statements about how I want to live my life. If anyone would like to know some intentions I set for myself, I’m more than happy to share.

[growlycat]

Originally Posted by InnerPeace111

My T suggested I write out my intentions on a sheet of paper as opposed to creating a vision board. I can absolutely say it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself. Setting my daily intentions integrates well with my meditation and yoga practices. My intentions are not goals but rather statements about how I want to live my life. If anyone would like to know some intentions I set for myself, I’m more than happy to share.

Feel free to pm me or post examples here if you’d like. I like the idea of an alternate version or other tool than the boards

[InnerPeace111]

Originally Posted by growlycat

As much as I joke I might just try it anyways. One thing some tutorials suggest is that after making such a board, you need to list things you will do to get you closer to your goals. Setting concrete deadlines for these mini goals makes it more attainable and less of a wish list to santa

I made a vision board for myself years ago and found it quite helpful. Now I see how it really was a stepping stone that led me to where I am today with my life. I love the idea of setting mini goals to complement your vision board, growlycat. I hope that you will enjoy the process!