What is a Vision Board? \”A vision board is a tool used to help clarify, concentrate and maintain focus on a specific life goal. Literally, a vision board is any sort of board on which you display images that represent whatever you want to be, do or have in your life.\”

In more simple terms: A vision board (also called a treasure map , dream board, or creativity collage) is typically a poster board on which you paste or collage images that you’ve torn out from various magazines. It’s simple…and effective

Some folks get a little stumped at the concept of a vision board, but let me put it to you this way; it\’s one thing to say \”I want to have an awesome 2013,\” but it\’s another when you put IMAGES to that comment. What is it that would make your 2013 awesome? A book deal? A new laptop? A dream vacation?

Maybe you\’d like to \”make more money writing.\” To help spur you to do so, what visuals would you attach to the results of that success? Would you treat yourself to a new car (image of a Escalade), a get-away vacation (picture of a cruise), or something as simple as day off doing your favorite hobby? Whatever it is that \”trips your triggers, these visual cues create a roadmap to what you want to achieve in the coming months.

To Get Started:

• Gather ALL the newspapers/magazines etc. laying around your house and put them in a pile.
• Go through them and cut out images or words that represent what you\’d like your new year to be.
• Look for things related to work, family life or personal interests.
• Grab a glue stick and a 16×24 piece of card stock or posterboard and start gluing everything down in a fun, attractive, and thoughtful pattern.
• Add embellishments: Lettering, stickers, handwritten notes.

How does this work for writers and authors? Remember that book deal you desire? Maybe include a photo of your favorite author holding up their published works, the business logo of a desirable publishing house, or an image of an author a book signing.

The last step would be to hang this Vision Board somewhere where you can see it Every.Day. You could hang it in your office or even by your bedside. The key is to keep these visual reminders front-and-center to keep it all fresh in your mind.

If you prefer your vision board to be on-line, I would recommend Oprah\’s Free Dream Board system on Oprah.com.

Hardcore iPhone user? Well \”there\’s an app for that\” too.  Check out the review on these 5 Vision Board Apps at Mom Blog Magazine.

The bottom line is that the key purpose that vision boards serve is to help you stay focused. We all have bright, shiny, new intentions for our upcoming year January 1, but as the year wanes those intentions may get forgotten or just get fuzzy. A Vision Board is a bold -in-your-face daily reminder that will help keep you on track and powering towards your writing and publishing goals.

SO, what are you waiting for? Get crackin on your vision board! It might just be the most important thing you do for yourself this year!