How to Formulate Your Desires Correctly for a Vision Board

A vision board is a physical or digital visualization tool, where images and words that represent your aspirations and goals are displayed together to serve as a source of inspiration and motivation. When you visualize your goals, you activate your imagination and tap into the power of your subconscious mind, aligning your thoughts, emotions and actions with the outcomes you want.

But building the board is only half the work. One of the most overlooked steps is the phrasing of your desires — and poorly worded goals can lead to frustration and disappointment. In this article we'll walk through the phrasing tips that make a vision board as effective as possible.

Why the wording of your desires matters

Your subconscious takes your vision board literally. A vague, negative or future-tense wish gives it a vague, negative or far-off target to aim at. Clear, positive, present-tense wording does the opposite — it gives your mind a sharp, believable picture to move toward. Get the wording right and every other part of the board works harder for you. If you're building your first board from scratch, our step-by-step guide to creating a vision board covers the whole process.

9 tips for formulating vision board desires that work

1. Start with a list

Take time to truly think about what you want. Start by creating a comprehensive list that spans your smallest wishes to your most ambitious dreams. Be honest and authentic, so your desires resonate with your heart's truth. Once you have your list, identify the most significant desires you plan to achieve within the next one to three years. For inspiration, browse our roundup of vision board goal examples.

2. Use positive language

When you word your goals, always phrase them positively and avoid negations. For instance, use "I am slender" instead of "I'm not overweight." Your desires should be transparent, tangible and, most importantly, doable.

3. Be specific

When defining your desires, specificity is key: they must be clear, measurable, achievable and realistic. Saying "I am driving a Tesla en route to Switzerland" carries far more weight than a generic "I want a car." Steer clear of ambiguity and generalizations such as "I made plenty of money this year." Besides lacking precision, such statements can invite unintended interpretations — like an inheritance from a relative who has passed away. To avoid this, be specific: "I have enough money to go on my dream trip."

4. Phrase desires in the present tense

An effective technique is to phrase your desires as if they have already happened. Instead of writing "I'll meet my soulmate this year," say "I met the love of my life this year."

5. Never wish harm on anyone

A vision board carries energy, so never wish harm or misfortune on people you dislike. Negative wishes can swing back with a vengeance, so focus only on positive desires.

6. Choose images that resonate

Once you've narrowed down your desires, select images that resonate with them. If you dream of owning a car, choose a picture of a specific model in the color you want. If a new job is on your wish list, add the logo of your future employer. If you're hoping for a chic loft, make sure it's clearly visible in the picture you pick. A well-stocked stash of vision board supplies makes this step much easier.

7. Mind the look and feel

The look and feel of your visuals can inadvertently affect the outcome of your wishes. Choose light, uplifting images over dark, gloomy ones, and pay attention to the details — even the weather in the background of a photo should be pleasant.

8. Balance images and words

As you start filling out the board, make sure each area of life has an associated image. The key is to balance pictures and affirmations so your vision board isn't too text-heavy.

9. Tune into your emotions

If you're already familiar with the basics, read our post on advanced vision board tips. There you'll learn why clarifying your intentions and focusing on your emotions matters so much.

Turn your desires into a vision board

With your desires worded clearly, positively and in the present tense, you're ready to bring them together. Start from a ready-made layout with our vision board templates, or create a digital board in seconds with the VISIYA vision board feature — then watch your carefully phrased wishes come to life.