How to Begin a Family Vision Board Project

A family vision board project is a collection of pictures and words that illustrate the goals and dreams of each family member. Whether it's planning a vacation, planting a vegetable garden, saving to buy new bicycles or creating a happy home, designing a vision board is a cooperative project that will keep everyone interested in turning dreams into reality. Here are seven ways to begin the project.

Things You'll Need

• Poster board
• Stacks of Magazines
• Scissors
• Glue Sticks

Instructions

1. Hold Vision Board Meetings.
   Each family member will be more willing to participate if they understand the vision board concept and are actively involved from the beginning. Schedule regular family meetings or dinners to keep the project rolling. At the first meeting explain that a vision board, a creative way to focus on dreams and goals, is a collage of pictures and words cut out from magazines. It is a fun way to visualize, motivate and take action. Each member's ideas and wishes are important and everyone contributes.

2. Brainstorm Together.
   Make sure all family members have an opportunity to voice their individual goals and dreams. Define a goal for the family too. Take turns sharing ideas on the design of the board and where to hang it. It's a good idea to hang the board where everyone sees it daily. Seeing the board evolve stimulates not only creative thinking but create action. Creative thinking plus creative action equals creative results, and that is definitely creative bonding.

3. Have Supplies Handy.
   For the project you will need poster board, stacks of magazines, glue and scissors. At the meetings, cut out pictures and words that reflect what your family is working toward. Looking at magazines and cutting stimulates lots of discussion and keeps ideas flowing.

4. Add Pictures of Family.
   Take a picture of each family member and paste those on the board. Then add a family picture too.

5. Incoporate Pictures and Words.
   Cut out pictures and words from magazines that reflect the specific dreams of individual family members and the family as a whole. Perhaps one of you wants a new skate board, another wants to join the tennis team. Maybe it's a camping trip that peaks the family interest. Maybe a tree house in the back yard is a secret wish. Find pictures that reflect the wishes and add words to motivate and remind. Be careful not to poo-poo any wishes or suggestions. The excitement comes with thinking big.

6. Use Pictures to Reflect a Positive Mood.
   What is the mood that you would like to permeate your home? We often think about ways to decorate our homes, but we seldom think about the mood we want to feel. Pictures of positive families is a good reminder.

7. Add a Family Motto.
   At one of the meetings or dinners, discuss ideas for a family motto. A family motto creates a team spirit and feeling of belonging. I know a family that had their motto printed on T-shirts that they wear on vacation and to family reunions.

8. Review the Board and Comment on Progress.
   Add affirmations such as "I enjoy my family" or "We are saving for vacation." Look at your board as often as possible. You may be surprised at the fun and progress made when families pull together.

Tips & Warnings

• Listen to uplifting music while working on the vision board.

• Serve treats too.

• Make the project fun and special.

• Talk it up and think positive.

• Don't force the project; make it easy.

• Dream big.