In Emotional Intelligence research, there are 4 domains which make up EI: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and relationship management. But they are not created equal. Studies show that without a high level of self-awareness, the other domains become difficult to master.
Visualizing what you really want in life can be one of the most powerful ways to manifest what you aspire to. Because a majority of us think in visual ways (pictures, textures, colors, even smells), a vision board can be a very powerful tool in creating the life you want.
Vision boards are also known as goal maps, goal boards and treasure maps, and the concepts behind them have been used for generations. Still, they’re gathering renewed interest as people realize how powerful they can be in bringing goals to life.
Use these basic guidelines
A vision board begins with a foundation. This may be a poster board, foam board, tri-fold board, or cork board. Use what works best for you. Choose a foundation that speaks to you, one that you feel you can easily and effectively build upon.
A vision board includes imagery. You can clip pictures out of books, magazines, or the newspaper. If you prefer, you can draw the images yourself. What matters here is that images are present, because your vision board needs to be visual in nature. Seeing pictures of your priorities, aspirations, and goals will help you focus on them.
A vision board includes writing. Writing isn’t mandatory, but it can play a role in identifying the key pieces of information. You want to make sure that you can look at your vision board at any point in the future and know exactly what you intended by each picture, word or thought included on it.
Your goal map is limited only by the extent of your personal creativity. It may be simple and strategic or it may be a highly detailed work of art. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what best suits your needs.
General elements
Visual. Your subconscious tends to work in terms of images and pictures, and so your vision board should be as visual as you can possibly make it. Supplement the images with phrases and words as needed.
Emotional. Every image on your goal map should evoke some type of positive emotional response out of you. Seeing it should fuel your motivation to achieve your goals.
Strategic. This tool should be placed strategically in a location where you receive maximum exposure to it. Seeing your vision board as often as possible will help you stay focused on your goals and plans.
Personal. Your vision board needs to emit positive energy. If you think that you’ll be criticized or forced to justify yourself for your vision board, then keep it in a private location so nobody else can bother it or you.
Beyond these basic guidelines, let this tool be whatever you want to make of it. Ultimately, it’s yours to design, develop and utilize as you see fit. You can add to it and change it over time as your goals and focuses change. The importance of engaging in an activity like this is to tap into the creative brain. Research shows problems are almost always best solved through creative, outside-the-box thinking. A vision board is a fun, creative way to explore what is really important to you, and clarify your true desires and goals.
Accelerated Talent Group is a Leadership Development and Executive Coaching firm dedicated to developing the leaders of today and tomorrow. We specialize in developing and coaching women and emerging millennial leaders.
www.acctalentgroup.com
I recently asked my network of colleagues what they thought was the single most important characteristic of a leader. This network is full of leaders at the top of their fields, HR experts and Managers of all industries. So naturally, I thought many would easily respond with the evidence-based research and not unimportantly, my own experience as a Leadership Development Expert and Executive Coach.
So what is it? Drum roll please…… it’s self-awareness. That’s right, not expertise, management style, relationship building techniques or the hundred other characteristics that are for sure important. But without self-awareness, all of the other attributes are negatively affected. But why? In the next few articles, we’ll discuss in further detail. We’ll define self-awareness, ways to cultivate it and why it matters.
Self-awareness is “knowing one’s internal states, preferences, resources and intuitions” (Daniel Goleman). Psychologists since the 70’s found this attribute was a prerequisite of self-control. Ahh, self-control. In my view, it’s important to understand that self-awareness is not only what we notice about ourselves, but also how we notice and monitor our own inner world. Furthermore, self-awareness goes beyond just accumulating knowledge about ourselves. It’s about paying close attention to our inner state.
How much do you truly pay attention to your “inner state”?
Accelerated Talent Group is a Leadership Development and Executive Coaching firm dedicated to developing the leaders of today and tomorrow. We specialize in developing and coaching women and emerging millennial leaders.
www.acctalentgroup.com