How to Create a Vision Board That Works – 10 Essential Questions for Goal Setting and Manifestation

Affiliate Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I truly love and use myself! Check out the Disclaimer here.

The activity of creating a vision board is beyond the simple cut-and-paste activity of pretty pictures and a poster. It’s an effective tool for manifestation that helps people to see what they want and make it a reality. But before you start, you need clarity—what do you truly want in life?

If you’ve ever made a vision board that didn’t quite “work,” it’s likely because you skipped the most crucial step: self-reflection. This way, you’ll ask the right questions, and your board will reflect your innermost wishes and desires, becoming a guide to the life you desire, rather than just a beautiful arrangement of Pinterest inspirations.

So, grab your journal, pour a cup of tea (or wine), and let’s dive into the 10 questions every woman should ask herself before making a vision board.

1. What Does My Dream Life Look Like?

Close your eyes and picture your ideal day from morning to night. Ask yourself:

• Where am I?

• What am I wearing?

• Who am I with?

• What am I doing?

This exercise will help you identify your true desires rather than just following trends.

Pro Tip: If you struggle with visualization, try using a guided journal to uncover your dreams. An excellent choice is the Start Where You Are Journal for designing your future.

2. What Are My Core Values?

Your vision board should reflect who you are at your core. Ask yourself:

• What values do I want to live by?

• What kind of person do I want to be?

• What truly makes me happy?

When your goals are not in sync with your values, you may well realize your goals and still feel empty.

Resource: If you’re unsure about your core values, check out Brené Brown’s book Dare to Lead to help define what truly matters to you.

3. Where Do I Want to Be in One Year, Five Years, and Ten Years?

Dreaming big is great, but you also need a timeline. Consider short-term and long-term goals:

• Where do I want to live?

• What career moves do I want to make?

• How do I want my relationships to evolve?

By defining your one-year, five-year, and ten-year goals, you can break them down into achievable steps.

4. What Areas of My Life Need the Most Attention?

A vision board should be holistic, touching on all aspects of life:

1. Career

2. Finances

3. Relationships

4. Health & Wellness

5. Personal Growth

6. Travel & Lifestyle

Which area needs the most love right now? Find out this will help you to know what to focus on in your vision.

5. What Limiting Beliefs Are Holding Me Back?

Be honest: What’s stopping you from achieving your dream life?

• “I’m not smart enough.”

• “I don’t have enough money.”

• “I’m too old to start over.”

These are limiting beliefs, not facts. Replace them with affirmations that will help you and not harm you.

Try This: Add affirmation cards to your vision board! The How to Love Yourself Cards: Self-Love Cards are the best tool for changing your mindset.

6. What Habits Do I Need to Build (or Break)?

Your vision board isn’t magic—it won’t work unless you do. Ask yourself:

• What daily habits will help me achieve my goals?

• What bad habits are keeping me stuck? For example, if your goal is better health, but you constantly skip workouts, you might need to build a fitness routine.

• If financial freedom is on your board, maybe it’s time to break the impulse shopping habit.

Resource: James Clear’s Atomic Habits is a top pick for creating positive habits and breaking negative ones when it comes to changing daily behavior.

7. What Brings Me the Most Joy?

At times people pursue goals that don’t actually bring them joy—just ones we think we “should” have. Ask yourself:

• What makes me feel truly alive?

• When was the last time I felt happiest?

• How can I bring more of that into my life?

Your vision board should be a joy-filled representation of your dream life, not just a checklist of achievements.

8. Who Inspires Me?

Think about the women you admire.

• What do they have in common?

• What about their lives speaks to you?

• Is it their confidence?

• Their freedom?

• Their ability to overcome challenges?

Use their stories as inspiration to create your own.

9. What Will Success Feel Like?

Don’t just focus on what success looks like—think about how it feels.

• Will you feel at peace?

• Will you feel excited and adventurous?

• Will you feel financially secure?

This helps to guarantee your goals are in line with the feelings that matter most to you, as opposed to just the material aspects.

10. How Can I Make This Vision Board a Reality?

The final and most important question: How will I take action? A vision board is only effective if it’s paired with a plan. Consider:

• Setting deadlines for each goal

• Creating a morning routine that supports your vision

• Breaking big dreams into small, achievable steps

Pro Tip: Use a goal-setting planner like the Clever Fox Planner to track your progress.

Final Thoughts: Your Vision Board is Your Roadmap

It’s not just about inspiration, your vision board is about intention. As you take the time to consider these questions, you’ll be able to make a board that accurately portrays the life you’re supposed to live. So grab your magazines, print out your favorite quotes, and start manifesting! And remember—you’ve got to believe you are worthy of the life you want.

Ready to Create the Ultimate Vision Board?

Here are some of my must-have tools for building a vision board that works:

• Vision Board Kit with Stickers & Templates

• Motivational Quote Stickers

• Personal Growth Journal

• High-Quality Corkboard for Display

Happy manifesting, sis! You’ve got this.