3 ideas for your next vision board
#2 Dump EVERYTHING; Applicable even for Marketing Boards
I’m from the Insta generation. Pictures work best. So, let’s talk Vision Boards: A collation of Visual Ideas on a single visible surface positioned so noticeably that you can’t help but be reminded of what your direction is, daily.
Motivation is coffee in this WFH culture, so here are a few brainstorm ideas that have helped me keep my Vision Board pretty and effective. Also applicable for Marketing Boards.
Idea #1: Get an actual Board.
Or more specifically, a background that’s not plainly your wall will help you to focus on the vision better. I find that when you have a section: a point of focus if you will, to collate your dreams, ideas, thoughts and especially priorities, life is easily simplified. The human mind is chaotic, external order brings a semblance of peace. Framed pictures are much nicer to look at after all.
Speaking of frames and pictures, check out JonicleArtStudio if you’re a Star Wars buff with a penchant for collecting funky wall-art. I do get paid a bit if you do happen to buy a piece! But back to the idea, framing ideas help to keep Visions or Goals contained and manageable as well as your ol’ noodle to remember what comes first.
Idea #2: Dump EVERYTHING.
Litter-ally. Yea litter isn’t an ally. Neither is clutter. If you happen to be a dreamer like me, chances are you have 101 ideas to add to your vision board. Especially during that 5 minutes in bed just before sleep. Ah, welcome back, eyebags. Here’s where the refining process comes in:
Step 1: Dump everything. But NOT onto your board, onto an A4 paper or my favourite, an A3 art block!
Step 2: Pick the top 3 most important goals/focus/dream you want to see daily.
Step 3: Tada! The bare bones of your Vision Board is complete!
Idea #3: Revisit, but after checking in @ Me. Inc.
Because Nothing sucks more than living for 8 years thinking you are following your dreams and desires, but realizing for all that time you’ve been waffling on the front door of DreamsComeTrue Co.
Whoever you are, I hope you’re smarter than Past Reg was. I did exactly that. Researched my dreams for 8 years with zero continuous effort.
A few reflection questions:
- What do I need right now? Buzzword: Prioritize!
Is this relevant to my satisfaction right now? Used this technique recently and scrapped my entire board of idealistic clutter. Now the board only showcases 3 focuses: My Job Goals, a Fix order schedule I’m trying to follow, and learning Responsive Web Design. I feel tonnes freer with all that free space.
2. Are you more a Visual or Technical person?
Why it matters is:
a) Visual You needs pictures, and
b) Technical You needs Stats, Achievement markers and a Spreadsheet.
My Dad really loves spreadsheets. And as you can guess, he’s super Technical. He project manages for an IT firm. I can imagine he will even make one solely to track his Lords Mobile in-game resources. Yes, that’s how much he loves them. I imagine that Mom probably Excelled and that’s how they fell in love.
3. What’s your purpose for this Vision Board? Do you have a specified Timeline?
You’ve probably heard of SMART or KISS or smart people kissing and all them good acronyms that’d help you direct your path. How about asking yourself where do you want to go? That split-second teeny gut response right before the resounding “I Don’t Know” is probably the direction that you should go right now.
Asking yourself if you prefer to rush to that $1k/month or to grow your writing skills help to direct your next 6 months. What would you like to see, in light of this, on your wall every waking moment?
Right now, mine has RWD highlighted in thick blue fonts on a sea of white art paper. I know my goal right now is to finish 4 more Responsive Web Design tests. Soon I’ll be replacing that word with “FOT”, Fixed Order Timing to assist my world in slowing down on its axel spins. I have a lot on my shoulders right now.
I mentioned earlier that this applies to Marketing Boards too. And by a Marketing Board, I mean a space where you showcase your Marketing Direction/Plans/Actions for the next Operational/Tactical/Strategic execution you’ve got going.
How To Apply These In Marketing
I noticed these from the 3 separate marketing-related jobs I’ve had. When applied, these ideas bring a new drive to the daily grind:
For Idea #1: Visual Reminders of your Mission, Values and Vision unifies a Team.
Something I see in my current company that coaches other companies, practice.
A side observation I picked up from LinkedIn: Affectionate nicknames help to unify teams in the Forming stage. Case in point — Google with the practice of calling their new hires “Nooglers”. I noticed it transforms into a badge of honour amongst my fellow Linkers and concurrently, fascinating, how a nickname can make new hires feel so welcome and have a deep sense of belonging.
Translating Idea #2 into a Marketing context is interest depreciation.
The more steps anything takes from product to purchase cart causes interest depreciation. Applies for the plan to product journey as well. So dump everything you want to achieve and details into a Google Document. Open Google Sheets and insert the top 3 points you need to include in this next marketing execution: creating an online store, perhaps.
Product — Marketing/Ads — Buy Now.
Hand your site to a brutally honest friend and allow them to test the heck out of your baby. Chances are, your buy now function has the most obstacles due to security reasons. And security is good, but finding secure payment options that allow swift buying for the user. Perhaps why Paypal is a must-have, even though the platform can be tricky for the average seller.
If my buy now button really does mean right now: I thank you, sincerely — from frustrated new sign-ups everywhere.
Idea #3 Can be copy-pasted. You’re still human after all, marketing or otherwise. Your desires matter :)
Takeaway: Above all else, simplify.
And these are some ideas to add to your Vision Board. Hope they helped, and feel free to share any ideas you may have that may add to my Vision Board!
Take care, stay safe, thanks for reading!
