Sure, you all know it: the vibrant collage that visualizes your wildest dreams and biggest wishes – the Vision Board. It’s supposed to work wonders, they say. But honestly? It never really worked for me. It’s not that I didn’t try. I crafted all my wishes and goals with scissors, glue, and magazine scraps, made Pinterest boards, and created collages in Illustrator. And then? Nothing. Nada. Zero manifestation. Sound familiar? Then keep reading, because I’ll share why Vision Boards don’t work for me and what alternatives might work better for you.
1. Vision Boards are often too broad and rigid
The problem with Vision Boards is they usually show huge, far-off goals. You paste a picture of a dreamy beach or a new car on the board, but that’s often where it stays. These big pictures set massive expectations that are hard to grasp. The feeling behind it is mostly, “someday I’ll have that,” rather than “I’m working actively toward it every day.” The gap between vision and reality doesn’t get smaller just by looking at it. The problem? It stays a wish.
2. Without a plan, a Vision Board is just a pretty poster
A Vision Board alone isn’t enough because it often lacks a clear action plan. Pasting a picture of a happy, healthy you doesn’t automatically make you lace up your running shoes in the morning. Often, there’s no structure guiding us concretely toward these goals. It’s like hanging a picture of Mount Everest and hoping you’ll land on the summit without even planning the first step.
3. The lack of connection to reality
A Vision Board tempts us to drift off into a dream world and get stuck there. It creates a fantasy far removed from what we’re actually experiencing. Sometimes the vision feels so out of reach that it ends up being more discouraging than motivating. And then? The board becomes a dust collector in the corner, just reminding us how far away these dreams are. And that stings.
4. Goals are allowed to change
I’ve often noticed that the images on my Vision Board don’t even reflect what I truly want after two or three months. My interests or goals frequently change, and that’s perfectly okay.
What I do instead
If Vision Boards aren’t working for you either, luckily there are other ways to harness the magic of manifestation. Here are my personal alternatives that have really helped me:
1. Set mini-goals and take it step by step
Instead of visualizing big, abstract goals, I focus on small, doable steps I can actually take. It’s about directing my energy toward what I can achieve each day – little steps eventually lead to big results. For example, instead of pinning a dream vacation to the board, I think about how much money I’d need and how I can manifest it creatively. Maybe by starting a new project that’ll bring in that amount.
2. Daily Journaling
Journaling is a powerful tool that gives me more clarity and direction. Every morning, I quickly jot down which steps I can take today toward my goal and what it would feel like to achieve it. It’s about not just dreaming but truly integrating what I want to accomplish into daily life. Regular reflection helps me stay in the flow and keep track of my progress, anchoring myself in my goal and the feelings connected to it.
3. Rituals to strengthen my intention
A simple Vision Board might not work, but a mindful ritual often brings much more power into play. I use candles, crystals, or affirmations to keep my goals in sight. Once a week, I light a special candle I’ve chosen or crafted just for this purpose and visualize in detail how I’ll reach the next small step. Or, I carry a stone in my pocket to remind me of my goal. This kind of focused energy has given me much more than any poster ever did.
4. Visualization
Instead of fixed images on a board, I prefer daily or weekly visualizations that are allowed to evolve. I regularly take time to close my eyes and go within. I let images arise that shift and reshape, reflecting my current needs. This helps me stay flexible and aligned with my goals.
5. What is the feeling
Often, it’s not exactly the image on a Vision Board that I want to manifest, but rather a feeling. Do I really want a yacht, or do I just want the feeling of freedom and the salty wind in my hair? Behind every goal, there’s a “why,” and very often this “why” is a feeling. So ask yourself, why do I want this? What do I really want? And how can I achieve that? A friend recently told me she made a Soul Map instead of a Vision Board, with images that don’t represent something concrete but what she wants to feel: joy, security, belonging… Such a beautiful idea.
6. Action over mere visualization
It’s not just about dreaming; it’s about doing. Every day, I take a small, intentional action that brings me closer to my goal. Whether it’s a call, an email, or learning a new skill – I stay in motion rather than visualizing statically. Every little step is a bit of magic that brings me closer to my goal.
7. Knowing when to let go
Just like you, your goals change over time. It’s completely okay if you realize after a while that your once-important goal has now become an empty shell. That’s allowed, and it’s normal. Accept it and focus on your new goal!
Vision Boards aren’t for everyone – and that’s okay
If you find that a Vision Board just isn’t your thing, it’s not your fault. Creating a Vision Board alone isn’t enough, and it can sometimes even work against you. Try concrete actions, small daily rituals, and a flexible goal image that adapts to you. Give it a try: set mini-goals, integrate them into your daily life, and use the power of small rituals. And if your goal changes, no worries. Go for it.
