Vision Board parties could unlock your passion

IN MY experience as a Life Coach, many people have trouble pinpointing exactly what it is that they want. So how do you unlock your hidden talent?

IN MY experience as a Life Coach, many people have trouble pinpointing exactly what it is that they want.

This makes them feel blocked, stuck and unclear on their goals.

This can be extra tough as we enter a new year and want to feel focused and energised.

One way that the driven individuals among us are realising their hidden passion is to take a leaf out of the best-selling book The Secret and a recommendation from Miss Winfrey herself and throw Vision Board parties.

Put simply, a vision board is a collage of images, pictures, and affirmations of your dreams, goals, (anything that makes you feel happy and inspired) all on one simple A3 board. Some people call them an inspiration board or a dream board.

Vision Boards not only work (they help you get clear on what you want and unlock the magical flow of manifestation), but through the power of images we can visualise our future for ourselves — responding and putting on paper the visions that “call” to us.

It is a fabulous way to get specific and put your dreams on paper in a unique (and fun) way.

A client of mine put a picture of the Golden Gate Bridge on her vision board last year and two months later received a job transfer to San Francisco.

Another friend of mine put a picture of a musician playing the piano on her vision board and them met and fell in love with a man who played in a local band.

In New York City I hold vision board parties for my clients and as part of my workshops.

If you want to host your girlfriends at home this is a wonderfully different way to entertain them instead of the same old white wine, brie and gossip gatherings.

Get creative.

This is a ticket to open the floor to discuss and share your goals and support one another in doing so.

A vision board from stationery supremos kikki-k.

This is all you need to do to throw a great event at home:

1. Open-minded friends

Vision boards parties feed on group energy. Invite your positive, imaginative and open-minded friends over. Not only will you have a blast, you will create something meaningful together that you can discuss for the entire year (or years) to come — and share your spooking coming-true moments. Around 6-8 maximum is a good group size.

2. Materials at the ready!

A vision board is something that you create from scratch — all you need is some magazines, a poster board (from anywhere) scissors and glue. An array of different magazines is useful (home style, fashion, food, business, family) to keep inspiration high. You can also add any additional arts and crafts or small bits and pieces you already own (small photos, stickers, inspirational greeting card message cut outs). Tell your friends not to read the magazines. They are a source of inspiration and cutout material only. Your friends can bring their old mags too (as well as a bottle of vino or an appetiser).

3. A little bit of scene setting

Play some soft or uplifting tunes and light a couple of candles. Make it feel a bit more inspired and Zen-like than usual. No TV. No iPads (unless its to play your chill-out or girl power playlist). A Zen setting creates an intimate environment that lends itself to a creative and intuitive group mindset. Your friends will also feel extra special in this environment.

3. Clear instructions and directions

Not everyone will know how to create a vision board. Explain that it is important to not over-think it. It’s simply a matter of creating a collage of images/illustrations and words that “speak ” to you. Tear them out of the magazines and arrange them on a page. Tear first, glue later (but everything has to be glued before they leave, no scraps of paper to leave the house). Send simple information in the email invitation so people know what to anticipate. Recap this once everyone has arrived and is ready to get started (just before moving onto #5).

4. A visualisation or a reading

This is not any old night in. Rather than get carried away with girl talk and forget to focus on your boards, insist that people come over at a certain time, sharp. Then read a short visualisation or meditation passage to open the evening to get everyone in the same headspace (there are millions, google “short visualisation/presence/meditation passage”). This will ensure that everyone is focused on the present moment and knows why they are there. You can also do a quick round of introductions (if not everyone knows each other) and everyone can set an intention for their board.

5. Collaboration and flow

Encourage your friends to talk about their boards and image/illustration choice. Creativity begets creativity and group energy can powerful and magnetic. Also, remember that the theme/ideas can change while in the process of creating the board. You may think you are creating a board for financial success but along the way focus more on home and family life and enjoying daily pleasures. Enjoy the ‘aha!’ moments throughout the vision board forming and talk about them with each other. This is, in fact, one of the highlights of vision board creation — the unexpected desires that surface.

6. A little blank space

Tell your friends to leave a little space on their boards for anything that they see that might inspire them later. They could even put a radiant, happy picture of themselves in the centre. Explain that is important to keep the vision board in a place where they see it everyday. This is how the law of attraction is multiplied.

It’s a lot more fun to share this imaginative and artistic experience with others. And it’s a wonderful break from digital distraction. It also brings people together in a uniting and unique way. Now — set a date. Shoot out an email to people you know who will love an event like this. Then roll up your sleeves and let the festivities (and manifestation magic) begin.