TAKE NOTE - The Courage to Have a Vision
I made a vision board for 2023 because that’s what “they” say to do if you want your business to thrive and set you on the path to achieve your goals and dreams. It was in fact, kind of fun because I like looking through magazines, cutting and pasting, buying stuff at the Dollar Store and lettering with different markers.
The actual dreaming part wasn’t too hard either.
I guess after all the hopes and wishes are recorded it seems the real work comes in choosing priorities from the vision board and then of course the hardest part; getting down to it.
Psychology Today says that although vision boarding is a commonly used tool, there is not a lot of research on its effectiveness. I suppose that doesn’t mean that they don’t work, just that no one has really studied it. It seems that researching the effectiveness of vision boards is not on anyone’s vision board.
Regardless of the pros and cons, I have found it to be helpful to stop frequently and take a look at my minty new poster to keep me close to the plan and motivated to push on. Mind you, it is still only January but I’d say so far so good.
What, you may ask is on my vision board? To be honest, I’ve always been a bit leery to share my hopes and dreams too far and wide because it makes it obvious to everyone if I fall short. But, in the spirit of continuing to step outside my comfort zone (please be proud of me Brene), I vulnerably share a few of the things on my vision board this year. In no particular order: painting more, experimenting with painting more from who I am, selling those paintings, painting commissions (do you see a theme emerging?), leading experiential art classes for adults, bringing to fruition a couple of projects that have been on the back burner too long (the sale of a huge series and art curriculum), and going to Europe (needed as inspiration for my art, or perhaps I just want a trip!).
According to Brene Brown, “vulnerability is not weakness; it's our most accurate measure of courage”. And so, courageous I go, into a new year, into a new decade (for me not the calendar), clutching my vision board (too dramatic?) and sticking my neck out. I mean I even put a reel on Instagram of ME, so talk about risk-taking behaviours! My conclusion is that making, and more importantly, embracing a vision board takes courage. You can be on your merry way and let life happen or you can take some time to think about what your gifts are, what you value, what path you feel led to take and what you could do to help these things come to pass.
I leave you with a nudge today to step out in even the tiniest of ways, to follow a little prompting in your spirit and see where it leads. Here are some courage quotes that may inspire you as well.
"It takes a lot of courage to show your dreams to someone else." Erma Bombeck
"Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened." Billy Graham
“I beg you take courage; the brave soul can mend even disaster." Catherine the Great
"Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway." John Wayne
“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV
"Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can't be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest." Maya Angelou