Creating a Vision Board for Writers

Forget New Year’s Resolutions

I don’t know about you but I’m not a fan of New Year’s resolutions. In the past, I’ve been overly ambitious in setting resolutions and when I can’t maintain my commitment to them, I feel like a failure. Rather than view any momentum as a gain, I give up completely because I didn’t attain the goal I set out to achieve. It’s vicious and doesn’t serve me well. Rather than flog myself with unattainable goals, I now make an annual vision board in place of resolutions. What’s the difference? Semantics to some, but to me, a vision board feels completely different than a New Year’s resolution.

What’s the difference between a resolution and a vision board?

A vision board is essentially a collage of pictures, quotes, goals, and more to serve as a visual reminder of things you want to achieve for the coming year. A resolution is defined by Google as “a firm decision to do or not to do something.” Whereas a vision board serves to set an intention for achieving your hopes and dreams, a resolution is a black and white determination to reach your goal.

I once worked with a career coach who suggested I set a timeline with goals on sticky notes rather than writing on the timeline itself. When I asked her the reasoning behind this, she replied “goals are malleable and moveable. It’s great to set them, but if you think of it like throwing a javelin, getting close enough to the goal is still a great achievement. Setting the goal, the intention, is what we aim for but it’s okay not to land it on the first try.”

A vision board serves as this goal line, something to aim for, but getting close enough still counts. I’d also argue that having visual reminders of your goals is far superior to making a list of resolutions and tacking them to your wall. Manifestation and intention are all about the visual aspect of seeing yourself achieving your goals - ask any athlete about the power of visualization and they will confirm its power.

How do I make a vision board for my writing goals?

You can be as extravagant as you want or you can create a vision board using items from your home. I’ve used poster board, cardboard box cutouts, corkboards, and more. Use whatever you need for inspiration. You can use magazine cutouts, online printouts, miniature toys, whatever stands out for you. The more visually appealing and thoughtful, the better your vision board will serve you.

Your vision board should be tangible versus digital. While I love Pinterest, a vision board is most effective when you look at it regularly. If your vision board is digital, chances are you won’t look at it daily. There’s also something to be said for the kinesthetic effort in creating a 3D vision board - the sensory experience helps to ingrain your goals.

What should I include in my vision board?

The above image demonstrates a good outline for formulating ideas and setting goals you hope to achieve over the next year. Perhaps you are new to writing and this is the year you want to publish an article. Or, maybe you are a seasoned author who has already been published but you want to write a memoir. Whatever your goals are for 2024, set them while also considering the actionable steps that will help you reach these goals.

For example, a new author who wants an article published may set the following actionable steps:

1. Take a writing workshop

2. Start writing small assignments for Upwork

3. Pitch articles to blogs

4. Pitch to online magazine outlets

As you can see, there are a lot of steps to take before a new writer is likely to get published in a magazine. Keep the actionable steps in mind when setting your goals, so you are more likely to achieve what you set out to do.

In addition to your writing goals and actionable steps, there are two other categories to include on your vision board under the umbrella of education.

1. Writing workshops, conferences, and/or podcasts

2. Books to read

In order to achieve your writing goals for the year, attending a workshop or a writer’s conference can help elevate your knowledge and skills. Seek out reputable workshops and conferences - a good resource can be found at Writer’s Digest and Poets and Writers. Not only will your writing improve, you might also expand your network of writer friends and support.

For those who are budget conscious, there are numerous writing podcasts to listen to. A few favorites include: Fiction Writing Made Easy, The Writer’s Voice, and The Shit No One Tells You About Writing.

If you have read Stephen King’s book On Writing, it’s clear Mr. King is a voracious reader who believes in order to write well, one must read regularly. While some writers won’t read books while working on a piece because they’re afraid their writer’s voice will be unintentionally influenced, they will read between projects. Overall, writers agree, reading makes one a better writer. Read in the genre you want to write in and read in other genres too.

Read technical books about writing. Whether you want to learn about marketing yourself as a writer, or you want to have a better grasp of story structure, there are countless books to help improve your writing life.

Inspirational quotes are helpful for writers and are useful for several circumstances. This famous quote by Winston Churchill serves to motivate a writer when rejection has created despondency.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts.”

This quote by Erica Jong serves as a reminder to writers, they are not alone in fearing critiques.

“I went for years not finishing anything. Because, of course, when you finish something you can be judged.”

Lastly, this quote by Walt Whitman serves as a friendly reminder to write, regardless of inspiration or doubt.

“The secret of it all is to write…without waiting for a fit time or place.”

Choose quotes that are meaningful, inspiring, and motivational to you. You know what quotes will work best. You can find great quotes online.

What do I do with my vision board once it’s complete?

Hang it where you write and look at it daily. If you meditate, take a look at your vision board before you sit. Remind yourself of what you want to achieve and congratulate yourself on every step towards your goal.

Happy New Years!