A friend of mine was recently running a vision board class for the New Year. I was unable to attend, but we got to talking about what each of us does to set ourselves up for growth in the coming year. I told her about my intention board I’ve been doing for the past 4 years, and she said, “you have to blog about it!” So here it is. 😊
The template I use comes from Danielle LaPorte’s five Life Areas. I divide goals into five categories: Livelihood & Lifestyle, Body & Wellness, Creativity & Learning, Relationships & Society, and Essence & Spirituality.
I start by reviewing last year’s list. It’s a great way to remind myself of everything I’ve accomplished over the year. And there’s always something; even if the year ends on a low note, I’ve always achieved something. In fact, I’ve always achieved more than one something, usually at least one thing in each category, often more than one.
As for those items I haven’t achieved, I evaluate. If it’s still a goal, it gets written on the new year’s list. If it’s not, it doesn’t. It’s ok to have a goal and then realize that perhaps it’s not so important right now. Life happens, you can’t always predict what direction it’s going to take.
Then I add all the new goals that have been fermenting in my head, new directions I want to take, new experiences I want to have. And honestly, they don’t have to all be realistic. While some goals are already in the works and likely to happen, others are dreams, and that’s ok. If it’s a goal, put it down. You never know where life may lead you, and those dreams can become reality if you keep them in your sites.
As for the content of each category, that’s a matter of individual self-expression. But here’s how I divide it up. In the Livelihood & Lifestyle I put my work and daily life goals. Things I want to achieve professionally and financially. Travel is a big part of my lifestyle so that goes into this category as well. Body & Wellness is for fitness and health goals, like achieving that yoga inversion or cooking at home more. Creativity & Learning tends to be my longest category. Here I put any new certifications I’d like to achieve, hobbies I’d like to try or develop. Finishing all the books I've started has been in this category for more than one year now, but I keep trying! Relationships & Society is both my relationships with myself and others. Goals here often include some sort of volunteering in my community. Essence & Spirituality is usually my shortest and hardest category because this is where I do the most self-inquiry. The goals here tend to repeat themselves the most, sometimes with different wording but usually the same ultimate goal – to be more at peace with who I am.
Once I've written goals in each category (I avoid the word "finish" because they are constantly evolving), I look at the board overall and find a general intention. I'll give specific examples here. Two years ago, I was still picking myself up from divorce and an immediate second relationship, so the word was "Independence". The next year I was determined to make it on my own, so the word was "Self-Sufficiency". This year I feel I'm on the right path, and just need to continue, so the word is "Grow".
As for what the board physically looks like, that’s up to you. It can be a big poster board or a sheet of paper. It can be artful or simple. I use a standard sheet of paper, portrait orientation, with each category in a different color (and I tend to repeat the same colors each year if possible – this year green went to turquoise because my green pen died). Then I tape it to the wall, along with last year’s board. It reminds me of where I’ve been and where I’m going.
Usually, I try and do my intention setting board before the New Year begins. It's a great excuse to carve out some personal time in a season that can be overwhelming. This year however due to my travel schedule my board didn't get done until mid-January. It usually only takes me about half an hour, but it's time I set aside to be completely self-indulgent – music, candles and a cup of coffee. Time just for me while the world rages on (at the moment it is snowing heavily and I'm happy to be hibernating). It’s a time for reflection and dreaming, and always leaves me with a sense of accomplishment and excitement of what’s to come. Happy New Year!
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