Even though most of us have a pretty good idea of what we want to create in our business, corralling our thoughts and putting them into words is a struggle for many.
However, as a beauty business coach, I recommend having a vision for your business and for your life. It’s easy to become distracted and get lost in the day-to-day busy-ness if we don’t engage in things to help us stay focused.
Creating a vision board allows us to dream, to set goals, and bring our deepest desires of what we want to accomplish to life. Click To TweetFrom the business perspective, your vision is the foundation of your business plan or business map. Without knowing what you truly want, you can’t design a strategy to take you there.
Today I want to introduce you to a powerful tool that I use personally to stay on track. I also teach the process to my 1:1 and group program to help beauty professionals get clear on what they want and how to get there.
Bring Your Vision To Life With a Vision Board
Sometimes it’s hard to find the exact words to fully describe what we want. That’s why images are so powerful. Our brain actually sees things in pictures.
The most well-known format of using imagery to express what you want is to create a vision board. Click To TweetBut it doesn’t have to be a board – some people enjoy creating vision books by gluing or taping images. Do what feels good for you.
Here’s my vision board – a little glimpse into my world. This is a screen shot from a live stream on did on this subject.
These are images that inspire me, what I want to accomplish, and what I want in my life. I like cutting out quotes and inspirational messages, reminders to help me step into a better version of myself:
I know there are skeptics out there and think this is too hokey.
However, there’s actual science behind it.
Most of us see things in pictures – if I ask you to imagine what life would look like with a successful spa business, you’d conjure up some images in your mind. A vision board is a device to help you bring your goals to life through the power of imagery and imagination.
You’ve probably heard of the power of visualization, which has been used by legendary athletes, successful entrepreneurs, and great performers to create amazing outcomes.
When you create a vision board and look at it often, you’re essentially doing a series of short visualization exercises throughout the day.
Go Beyond the “Stuff” To Capture the Feelings
An effective vision board is more than a “wish list” or a to-do list. It should evoke how the depicted objects or activities make us feel.
In fact, the emotional involvement during the creation and visualization process often determines if a vision board is effective in helping you achieve your goals.
For example, I love doggies. I have an image of a dog on my vision board. He has his head out of the car window and the wind is blowing in his face. This image reminds me of when I was little and enjoyed hanging my head out of the car window on long car rides. It makes me feel simple and free.
I love to travel, I love great, healthy food, and I love wine! I have an image of Tuscany, which helps me picture myself there, sitting on a patio, sipping wine, and enjoying Italian food. When I look at this image, I feel as though I’m here:
Emotions are not the only thing you can capture. What else makes you feel good? What else will capture how you want to feel when you’ve achieved your vision?
For me, it’s gratitude – so I include what and whom I’m grateful for.
How To Create Your Vision Board
It’s super easy to create your vision board. Remember, you’re doing this for yourself and there’s no right or wrong way to do it.
I like using a cork board but you can choose any kind of board. Then you’ll need some magazines, a pair of scissors, and glue, tape or push pins to attach the images to the board.
You can get creative and you don’t have to limit yourself to images. For example, you can put 3D objects on your vision board.
Supercharge Your Vision Board
Not all vision boards are created equal. Here are a few tips to help you get the most out this powerful tool:
1. Include Yourself
Your vision board is about you after all. It’ll be more powerful if you include your own photo to help you immerse yourself in your vision and visualization.
2. Visualize the Process
We could fall prey to “planning fallacy” – the assumption that everything is much easier than it really is – if we solely focus on the outcome.
Especially in business, if we aren’t aware of the process, we’re likely to underestimate the time and effort required, which will lead to disappointment.
Instead of only including images that describe the desired outcome, also include those that depict the process.
For example, your ultimate vision may be to own a spa. Your images could depict the successful completion of each necessary step such as building a solid client base, developing strategic alliances with partners or finding your dream location.
3. Update Your Board Often
Your vision board is a dynamic tool. You’re constantly evolving and so should your vision board. Click To TweetI update mine frequently by adding images of things that inspire me or cutting out those that no longer apply to my life.
4. Keep Your Board Visible
Keep your vision board where you can see it often. I like to keep it in my office to help me to stay on track and focus my attention on daily actions that will bring me closer to my goals.
5. Make Multiple Boards
You can put together one vision board for each area of your life, e.g., business, health, relationships etc. You can even make a “collective” vision board by gathering your family members together – it’d be a great opportunity of sharing and bonding for everyone.
This article is based on a Spa Biz Tip Tuesday episode – a Facebook Livestream event that happens every Tuesday at 3 pm Eastern Time.
To get the latest and greatest tips and resources for the spa and esthetician business, like my Facebook Biz Page here, so you can be notified when we go live!