Do vision boards actually work, or are we just cutting and pasting our way to nowhere

PURPOSEDESIGN

Jun 8

When someone mentions vision boards, you probably picture someone frantically cutting out magazine photos of sports cars and beach houses while chanting affirmations. It feels a bit… 2010s self-help guru, doesn’t it? But before we write off vision boards as the fidget spinners of personal development, let’s dig into what’s actually happening in your brain when you create one.

Your brain on vision boards: The science behind the scissors

Here’s where things get interesting. Your brain doesn’t actually distinguish between what you’re imagining and what you’re experiencing, at least not as much as you’d think. When you look at that picture of your dream job or ideal vacation spot on your vision board, your neural pathways light up similarly to how they would if you were actually living that experience.

This is neuroplasticity in action, your brain’s incredible ability to rewire itself based on repeated thoughts and experiences. Every time you glance at your vision board, you’re essentially giving your brain a little training session, strengthening the neural connections associated with your goals.

Think of it like this: if your brain were a hiking trail, repeatedly visualizing your goals is like walking the same path over and over until it becomes a well worn route. The more you walk this mental path, the more automatic and accessible it becomes.

Reticular Activating System: Your brain’s personal assistant

Ever notice how when you’re thinking about buying a red car, you suddenly see red cars everywhere? That’s your reticular activating system (RAS) at work, basically your brain’s spam filter that decides what information deserves your attention.

When you create a vision board, you’re programming your RAS to notice opportunities, resources, and connections related to your goals. That networking event you might have ignored? Suddenly it’s on your radar because your brain recognizes it as relevant to your vision board goal of advancing your career.

It’s not magic, it’s your brain doing what it does best: pattern recognition and selective attention.

But wait, are we just daydreaming in technicolor?

Here’s where the vision board skeptics have a point. Some research suggests that just visualizing success without planning the steps to get there can actually make you less likely to achieve your goals. It’s called positive fantasizing, and it can trick your brain into thinking you’ve already accomplished what you set out to do.

The key difference? Effective vision boarding isn’t just about pretty pictures, it’s about creating a visual reminder system that keeps your goals front and center while you do the actual work.

Modern vision board: Evolved and evidence based

Today’s most effective vision boards aren’t just collections of aspirational images. They’re strategic tools that incorporate several neuroplasticity principles:

Specificity matters: Instead of a generic success image, include specific, measurable goals. Your brain responds better to concrete targets than abstract concepts.

Process over outcome: Include images that represent the journey, not just the destination. Pictures of you studying, networking, or practicing skills help your brain rehearse the behaviors needed for success.

Emotional connection: Choose images that genuinely resonate with you emotionally. The stronger the emotional response, the more robust the neural pathway formation.

Regular engagement: The magic isn’t in creating the board, it’s in regularly viewing and updating it. Neuroplasticity requires repetition and reinforcement.

Digital vs. physical: Does it matter?

In our smartphone dominated world, digital vision boards are increasingly popular. Apps like Pinterest and Canva make it easy to create and update your visual goals. But here’s the thing, there might be something special about the physical act of cutting, arranging, and gluing.

The tactile experience of creating a physical vision board engages multiple senses and requires more intentional time investment. This multi-sensory engagement can strengthen memory formation and emotional connection to your goals. Plus, a physical board is harder to ignore than a digital file buried in your phone.

Verdict: Outdated or upgraded?

Vision boards aren’t outdated, they’ve just evolved. The cheesy, wishful thinking version might deserve some eye rolls, but when grounded in neuroscience and combined with concrete action plans, they become powerful tools for goal achievement.

The most effective approach? Think of your vision board as a GPS for your goals rather than a magic wand. It won’t drive the car for you, but it’ll help keep you headed in the right direction and alert you when opportunities for course correction arise.

So go ahead, break out those magazines (or Canva). Just remember that the real magic happens not in the creating, but in the consistent viewing, planning, and most importantly, the doing that follows.

Your brain is already rewiring itself based on what you focus on. Why not give it something inspiring to work with?

Sources

Envision 2025: How To Make Your 2025 Vision Board (Husstling Around Town, 2024)

2025 Vision Board Ideas and Examples (The Chic Life, 2025)

Make 2025 Your Year: The Power of Vision Boards (Macaroni Kid Naperville, 2024)

The Rise of Vision Boards: Transforming Goal-Setting for 2025 (KS&R, 2025)