This time like all times is a very good one if we but know what to do with it. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Have you ever created a Vision or Dream Board? If you are in a career transition or considering designing your Encore Career and you don’t know what to do or how to get started, a vision board is an excellent way to begin.
When I was let go from my corporate job of many years, I felt completely adrift. I didn’t have a clear vision of what to do with the rest of my life. I was too young to retire but I wanted to try something else closer to my heart and purpose. I just wasn’t sure what else I could do. A friend told me that creating a Vision or Dream Board might be a way to gain clarity about the future.
Making a Vision Board seemed daunting at first because I didn’t consider myself to be creative. My friend told me to never mind all that and just go for it. She told me that however I chose to create my Dream Board would be perfect.
“Okay” I sighed skeptically. I dutifully marched off to the craft store and bought foam board and glue in preparation for creating my Vision Board. I spent days going through magazines and cutting out pictures and inspirational phrases that spoke to me. One evening I finally spread everything out on the floor and assembled my Dream Board.
Vision Boards Bring Clarity to What’s Happening on the Inside
I was surprised at what I saw when my Vision Board was complete. Who I felt I was on the inside – but didn’t often allow to show on the outside – appeared on my Vision Board. I wanted abundance, friendship, joy, play, fun, travel, an intimate and loving relationship, a cozy and inviting home, a healthy lifestyle, deeper spiritual connection and inspiring work. What I didn’t see was the answer to what my Encore Career should be.
I was disappointed and I told my friend that creating a Vision Board didn’t work. She asked if she and another friend could come over and take a look. Reluctantly, I said okay. I wasn’t sure I wanted to let anyone else see my inner world that clearly.
Over they came and after a couple of glasses of wine, I shyly brought out my Dream Board for their inspection. They looked at it silently for a couple of minutes. After what seemed like years, I couldn’t stand it.
“Well, what do you see on my Dream Board?” I demanded.
“FUN!” they shouted in unison.
Great, I thought. “How is THAT going to turn into an Encore Career that keeps me out of the rat race?” I asked.
“Keep looking!” suggested my friends. They aren’t too big on giving answers. They instead recommended that I spend a few minutes looking at my Vision Board each day and play with ideas of how to bring FUN into my encore career.
I followed their suggestions and kept looking at my Dream Board. My skepticism eventually melted away as I began to see what mattered. Out of the fog of what seemed like a hodge-podge of disconnected images and phrases came my Life Purposewhich is “To Playfully Celebrate Life”.
It’s been several years since I created my first Vision Board. I’ve since created Dream Boards specific to particular areas of my life such as my business vision and my health vision. But this first Dream Board holds a special place in my heart. It was one of the first stepping stones on a path of discovery that led me to the work I am meant to do – the one that gives me PASSION, PURPOSE and a PAYCHECK ™.
I LOVE looking at Vision Boards created by others. Some Dream Boards are elaborate works of art and others are basic. Either way they work. They don’t even have to be of the cut-and-paste variety. Create a slide show or a video. (Try http://www.mindmovies.com/ if you want to purchase a reasonably priced software for creating your video Vision Board.) The important thing is that it speaks LOUDLY to your heart and spirit about what you want to create for your life.
Having trouble picturing what YOUR Encore Career or life looks like? Call Coach Sue at 949-212-4345 for a complimentary “get acquainted” coaching session or email [email protected]