Do you create a writing vision board?
As the new year approaches, many of us start to think about everything we have achieved this year, but also what we want to achieve in the coming year. A vision board is a magical way to spend a few hours really look at what it is that is important to you, but also gives you a visual reminder that will prompt you, and keep you focused, all year long.
It is important to take these moments to reflect and plan, particularly as creatives, as it is so easy to drift about in a bubble of words and images and lose track of what it is we really want to achieve from our writing. Whether you dreams are as big as writing a series of novels, or as modest as creating a regular writing practice, being clear in what you want to achieve is always helpful – arguable essential – in order to stay on track.
How does a vision board work?
Vision boards are powerful reminders of all the things we want to achieve, they should be placed somewhere they will be seen every day, as a constant reminder.
Creating your writing vision board is a magical process in itself. Taking time to find images of things which represent all your writing dreams is a fun, but also deeply impactful experience. You will find yourself drawn to certain images and perhaps not realising why until you really stop and think about what that image says to you.
You can include words on your vision board and be really specific. Perhaps you want to achieve a certain word count every week, or commit to journalling at least four mornings a week. Whatever your writing aim, pop it on your vision board.
It might be that you have big writing dreams for the coming year. You may want to include things like; finish my first draft of my book, or get a publishing deal.
Be honest
The most important thing is that you are honest with yourself about what really matters to you and what you want to achieve. The more specific you are the more effect this tool will be. Don’t expect to just put lots of aesthetically pleasing images of writers on there and for you to magically get a publishing contract. You are more likely to manifest decorating your writing space.
Not everything you include on your vision board has to be associated with writing. You may want to include things like walking every day, or eating more healthy snacks while I write. These are all still having a huge impact on your writing, just not in an obvious way. Looking after your physical and mental wellbeing is one of the most beneficial things you can do as a writer. If you are in pain, tired, distracted etc you won’t do your best work when you sit down to write.
Of course vision boards aren’t just for your writing life. You can create a board which is a combination of your writing dreams and your personal dreams, or you could create two separate vision boards, whatever you think will be most helpful.
The important thing is that, once you have created your vision board, you put it somewhere you will see it every day. Mine is next to my desk, but you might put it by your bed, in the kitchen or next to your make up mirror. As long as you take time to look at it often, where it lives is up to you. It is often a good idea to move it around so that you don’t get used to seeing it and stop seeing it.
You will be amazed at the end of the year, how many things you have achieved from your writing vision board. Sometimes things take a little longer to appear but over the years I have manifested a TED Talk, cars, my writing career and so much more.
What have you got to lose?
If you fancy giving it a go, why not join us for a few hours creating your writer vision board on Sunday 25th January 2026? (If you are reading this after this date, we will be running one next year so please make sure you sign up for our newsletter so you keep up with all our news) Find out more and sign up to join us for free