Create A Vision Board To Improve Your Health

In last week’s column I discussed some ways in which you can begin a workout and nutrition program for yourself. In this next article I will discuss strategy and tactics. I define strategy as “what you are going to do” and tactics as “how you are going to do it.” A Vision Board is an invaluable resource that you can use to help get you started and keep you focused on your goals. I use one myself and it has, and continues to be, an incredible tool for me. Whether you believe in the Law of Attraction or not, a Vision Board is still a tried and true method and is simple, accessible, affordable, and fun to create.

First identify your strategy. Ask yourself this question: What is it that I am intending to create for myself? In other words, what are my goals? Be specific and honest with yourself. Keep it real. Next, begin brainstorming about tactics. Make a list of resources that you can use to help you reach your goals. These make up the nuts and bolts of your program. For example, if you identify your strategy as “I am going to drop 15 pounds and get back into the suit that I wore at my friend’s wedding last year,” the tactics you list might include making changes in your diet, exercising more, and decreasing alcohol intake so as not to consume unwanted empty calories. It might also include doing yoga to help manage stress, practicing meditation to quiet the mind, and using positive affirmations to improve self-esteem and body image.

A Vision Board can be used for more than just a fitness and nutrition program. It can be applied to your career, relationships, and hobbies. Just about whatever you want to have “show up” for you. As I mentioned in my first article, I work with former Mr. America Tom Terwilliger. He is my Achievement Mentor. Tom is an expert strategist and tactician. He is a tremendous asset when it comes to helping me get and stay focused on my goals. For a while there I was leaving no stone unturned, capitalizing on every opportunity that showed up on my radar. I soon realized that my energy was scattered in too many directions. If you are interested in learning more about the work Tom does with me and his other clients, there are a ton of resources available on his website pertaining to goal setting and achievement at www.tomterwilliger.com.

I also work with Traci Lynn Cowan, a national level figure competitor. She is my personal trainer and lifestyle / fitness coach. I asked Traci to expound a bit on how to create a Vision Board. Like Tom, Traci is an expert when it comes to manifestation. Here is Traci’s take on Vision Boarding:

The concept behind a Vision Board is simple. Surround yourself with images of who you want to become, what you want to have in all aspects of your career and personal life, certain goals you aspire to achieve, and trust that your reality will change to match those images and those desires. I know from experience that Vision Boards truly help me to focus and manifest these images into my life.

Prepare yourself before starting your Vision Board by sitting quietly and holding the intention. Be open-minded and don’t be afraid to ask for EVERYTHING you want. Shoot for the stars. You can talk about your perfect job, abundance, perfect health, perfect relationships, perfect weight, etc.  Then display these words in a creative way on your vision board.

Before you begin, take a moment to hold the intention and the theme in mind. When you choose pictures (by cutting them out of magazines or even drawing or painting them) they will be in alignment with your goals. You might start out doing one kind and find your intuition takes over and shifts you onto a whole different path. Take time throughout your day to admire and look at your Vision Board, take a deep breath in and clear your mind. Cherish this moment with your goals in front of you and be excited.

In addition to what Traci has explained above, I would add this: Feel the feelings you will experience once you have accomplished whatever you have set out to create for yourself. Act AS IF it has already happened. Bring the energy of what it will be like for you from the FUTURE into the PRESENT. You might also consider adding inspirational quotes to your Vision Board, motivational reminders like pictures of what you used to look like, or even a prioritized ledger of what your objectives are. Almost like a “bucket list.” Some people add a gratitude section which includes people and organizations they want to thank that will be a part of the process that helps manifest their goals.

I would like to add one more thing to what Traci said above. It may seem silly but it is important. Believe so strongly that what you intend to create is happening that it has no choice but to manifest in your reality. Remember that thought is the first level of creation. The universe will conspire to help you in whatever you intend to design. Having faith and trusting that the experience is unfolding exactly as it should is integral to the process of manifestation.

If you are interested in seeing what my Vision Board looks like and how it has helped me to achieve my objectives and create the life I have always wanted, please visit my website at www.getimpowerednow.com. Click on the plug-ins there to follow me on Twitter, friend me on Facebook, join my circles on Google+, and subscribe to my blog and newsletter. I will post updates on my social media sites and share pictures on an ongoing basis.

Mark A Eisenhart is a Sponsored Athlete, Transformational Speaker, Actor, Model, and Spokesperson. He has appeared on over seventy programs including  G4's American Ninja Warrior, The Doctors on CBS, The Jeff Probst Show, True Life and Real World on MTV, TNT's Leverage, NBC's Grimm, and in multiple Print and Digital media platforms. He is an advocate for eating clean and plant based diets and a Brand Ambassador for WarrorForce TM and Gaiam TV. For more information please visit his website at www.getimpowerednow.com.