Vision boards are a powerful tool for bringing the Law of Attraction into reality. The Law of Attraction, for anyone who hasn’t heard, simply states that what you think about becomes a part of your reality. You draw into your life what you want by the things you say, do, and believe.

Many of us, while in an inspired mood, have created vision boards. All you need is a blank surface (usually a poster board), imagination, and access to pictures, from a magazine or goal. From there, use the pictures to visually represent the life that you want.

Easy, right?

How many actually use the vision board days after we create it? If you’re like most people, it’s probably sitting behind you or tucked away in some corner while you live your daily life.

That’s what we need to change. Vision boards help us focus on the prize, whether that’s a better body, more money, or international travel, but we have to maintain contact in order for the Law of Attraction to work. We won’t manifest the life we want if we don’t have a clear vision of what that is.

Here are three tips for keeping the power of the vision board in your life:

1. Keep in the place where with the most meaning. Vision boards should be placed where they will inspire you the most. That means if your vision board focuses predominantly on fitness-related items, then you should put in your home gym or exercise area. If you vision board focuses predominantly on money-related items, put it nearby your computer or on in the hallway when you come from or go to work. Tip: Take a look at your vision board and see if any reoccurring themes appear. If so, consider that theme when deciding where to put your vision board.

2. Add things from your present life. Vision boards shouldn’t only include images from the life you want. They can also include images from the life you currently have if you want to continue or expand on in the future. Let’s say that you completed your first 100 situps and took a picture as proof. If that picture inspires you in a positive way, include it. Adding pictures from your own life will bring personal relevance to the board.

3. Update your board as your dreams change. One thing that is guaranteed is that your dreams will change as you grown and change into your new life. Motivations and circumstances may change. That’s a part of life. That doesn’t mean we should keep our vision boards static. Remember the Law of Attraction? The things we keep in our view directs our thoughts and actions. If we keep old and outdated visions, we may not feel fully engaged to our new vision.

 

Watch a favorite movie during the day. Spend an afternoon reading a favorite novel. Sit outside and catnap for an hour.

When was the last time you allowed yourself to do any of these non-productive activities? Even, dare we say it, frivolous activities?

I’m betting it was so long ago you don’t even remember. I’m also going to go out on a limb and say you probably felt guilty when you did.

Right?

Well, it’s time to ditch that mentality. You’ll have way more efficient uptimes if downtime is a regular part of your routine.

You must learn to give yourself permission to relax, to recharge your batteries. You’ll find this simple step will lead to increased productivity, a more creative mind, and less stress.

You have permission to chill and relax.

The Single Most Critical Element Of Success

Instead of viewing downtime as wasted time, look at it as one of your single most important productivity components.

Society has taught you to feel guilty taking time off. You skulk around, rationalize your actions to others, even to yourself, and feel like you’re getting away with something.

Learn to feel good about taking downtime. It is critical to your mental and physical well-being.

Message Received?

You’ll know when you need downtime. Your body and mind will let you know.

That feeling when you have to force yourself to get busy? When you feel drained and just want to chill? Your body and mind are sending you a message.

But one look at your to-do list causes you to ignore the message.

One aspect of fitness is learning to listen to your body. We hear it all the time. “Listen to your body.” “Rest when you feel exhausted. Don’t push yourself hard when you feel discomfort or pain.”

When you feel overwhelmed or lack energy, listen to the message your body is sending. Trust that it’s leading you in the right direction.

Do something totally unrelated to your important responsibilities. Maybe even something mindless, like taking a few hours and watching one of your favorite movies.

Instead of feeling guilty, know that that time spent recharging your batteries is far from wasted time.

You’re refueling your energy stores.

Hit The Road, Jack

Now, if your energy levels are always low, there may be something more going on. Being tired all the time for no apparent reason may call for a medical consultation to see if there’s something physical going on.

Or maybe you’re not getting enough sleep. Rethink your sleeping habits and establish a routine that allows you at least eight to nine hours of sleep a night.

Also, sitting or being stationary for too long can make you tired. Lethargic. A walk around the block may do wonders.

But usually when you feel you’re running out of gas, unable to conjure a single creative thought, it’s an indicator that you need downtime.

The Death Of Creativity

There have been numerous studies done over the years that back up what I’m saying.

Consider this quote taken from a New York Times article entitled, “Relax! You’ll Be More Productive”:

“The importance of restoration is rooted in our physiology. Human beings aren’t designed to expend energy continuously. Rather, we’re meant to pulse between spending and recovering energy.

“In the 1950s, the researchers William Dement and Nathaniel Kleitman discovered that we sleep in cycles of roughly 90 minutes, moving from light to deep sleep and back out again. They named this pattern the Basic-Rest Activity Cycle or BRAC. A decade later, Professor Kleitman discovered that this cycle recapitulates itself during our waking lives.

“The difference is that during the day we move from a state of alertness progressively into physiological fatigue approximately every 90 minutes. Our bodies regularly tell us to take a break, but we often override these signals and instead stoke ourselves up with caffeine, sugar and our own emergency reserves — the stress hormones adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol.” (Source: New York Times.)

You’ve learned to ignore messages from your body. You fear being labeled a slacker.

And that notion is killing you. Maybe not literally. However, you could make that argument.

Undoubtedly it’s killing your creativity and effectiveness.

Say Hello To Your Inner Beach Bum

So how do you build downtime into your schedule, without becoming the equivalent of a beach bum?

Here are just a few ideas. I’m sure you’ll come up with plenty of your own, once you think about it.

Go for a walk or a run.
Take an afternoon off and watch a movie, go shopping, garden, or read something purely for pleasure.
Take an entire day off and do anything you desire.
Meditate.
Exercise.
Do yoga.
Call a friend and chat.
Draw or color. There are coloring books made for adults. Pick one up and release your inner child.
Whatever you decide to do, and whatever amount of time you decide to take, don’t feel guilty about it.

Relaxing and letting your mind, and body, wander off the beaten responsibility path will ultimately make you that much more productive when you refocus.

It’ll make you more successful. You’ll reach your goals more quickly.

Challenges won’t stop you cold.

It’s all about balance and happiness.

You build all kinds of productive tasks into your day. Downtime is just as important as any of them.

Don’t leave it to chance.

Plan for it.

Schedule it.

Do it.

Make the most of this essential productivity tool. Without a single shred of guilt.

We have a variety of highly effective programs to help you achieve your health, fitness, and life goals. To request help to determine which one is perfect for you, click this link now: Contact Us.

What’s your life vision?

What form does your idea of the perfect life take? Is it a dream that seems unachievable? Does it feel like it’s so far out of reach as to be nothing more than a pipe dream?

“If you can dream it, you can do it.” Walt Disney

Walt Disney was full of dreams, and we can only imagine how unattainable they may have seemed. Yet, just look at what became possible with a dream that started with just one single mouse. Mindboggling, isn’t it?

What more proof do you need to to believe your life vision really can come true?

One Simple Mind Shift

It’s inspiring to imagine it possible that the life vision you desire, those dreams that light your inner fire, are reachable.

You’ve probably thought your dreams would certainly be nice to realize, but that’s as far as you’ve gone. You just can’t imagine you can make them happen.

But you can. You have to shift your thinking from wouldn’t it be nice, to how can I make it come true. That one simple mind shift blasts open any doors in your way. What was once seemingly impossible is possible.

Making Your Life Vision Come True

So how can you take that one simple mind shift to fuel your way to realizing your dreams, your life vision? Here are some simple steps to taking that first step.

Believe your dreams can come true.

Well, duh! I know. I can almost see you shaking your head, thinking, Why didn’t I think of that?

But seriously, it’s so easy to hinder yourself because you think your dream is impossible. You think you don’t have what it takes, don’t make enough money, don’t possess enough talent, are too old, too young, or any other lie you tell yourself.

The first step toward realizing your dreams and making your life vision a reality is just to believe it’s possible. And here’s a little hint: If anyone else is living your perfect life vision, your dream, that’s all the proof you need that it is, indeed, possible.

Begin with baby steps.

Once you begin to believe your dreams can come true, take baby steps at first. Start doing little things that move you in the direction of your dreams.

Surround yourself with people who won’t burst your bubble, those who have an optimistic spirit and will lift you up, not drag you down.

Include others in your journey.

Tell your family and friends what you’re working towards, and why. Share your life vision with them.

Often skeptics come around once they understand you’re serious, and you have a plan. They’ll become your biggest cheerleaders.

Understand that those who may try and squelch your dreams likely are not doing it out of meanness. They have their own limitations, even jealousies, that drive their opinions. Maybe they lack belief in themselves.

The point is, know that just because someone isn’t excited for you and don’t see your life vision as being possible, doesn’t mean you should stop chasing your dreams.

Don’t let anyone cast a glacier-like freeze on your dreams. Just keep going, one baby step at a time.

Begin to make life choices that are in sync with your life vision.

The daily choices you make have a tremendous impact on the realization of your dreams.

For example, if one of your dreams is to save up enough money for a European vacation, don’t spend all of your extra money on frivolous endeavors. Begin saving a specified amount from each paycheck, instead of going out every weekend for expensive meals.

If your dream is truly important, you’ll prioritize your time, money, and other assets in your life to work toward the reality of your dream. Planning is critical.

You can’t prioritize and align your life choices if you don’t know at what you’re aiming.

Know what you want and then do what it takes each day, week, month or even year, to make sure you get there.

Roll with the punches.

A bit of flexibility and ability to weather the storms of life can help keep you on track. Don’t expect anything you’re working toward to be a straight shot from start to finish. It’s much more likely the path will be circuitous, filled with obstacles and challenges. Sometimes you’ll want to give up.

Don’t let that happen. Become a problem solver. Think your way past blockades. Find a better way forward. Make adjustments and keep a firm grasp on your sense of humor.

You might even alter or discard a once coveted dream for something better. If you’re inflexible in your quest, you may miss the offramp leading to an even better direction.

Life Is A Journey

All of life is a journey. It’s filled with plans, ideas, dreams, and goals. Some of your dreams may never waver. Some may change along the way.

But as long as you know what your life vision is, keep your eye on the ball, move forward a little at a time, make appropriate choices, the odds of realizing your dreams are astronomical.

Your life vision will become your life reality.

So what’s your life vision? Whatever it is, it’s time to turn it into reality.

It can happen. It is possible.

All it takes is a single mind shift and a dream.

And you’re halfway there.

Focus.

To focus is to create a convergence on a perceived point. If the perceived point is the goal, then focus is the path leading to its intersection. There are many paths of focus. Which path one takes is by choice, and choice alone. Where those paths lead are the results of this choice.

The goal is always there. No matter what it is. If the goal is to rise and make it through another day, the path lay leading to that goal. If the goal is to rise, to further one’s educations, to move forward in career or business, to become healthier and more fit, or to become a better spouse or parent, those paths are there for the taking as well.

The goal is often the easy part. What presents a greater challenge is the path leading to that goal. The focus. The end of the path is always there. Choosing the right path is essential.

Where is your focus? Better questions would be, what path will you take? What is the best path to take? Should I change my focus?

If the focus changes, then the goals must change. A different focus will bring you to a different place. Rather than surviving the day, how about the day be filled with accomplishment.

Change your focus, and your goals will change.