If you’re like most of us, your motivation might be flagging right now. You started off with healthy New Year’s goals, but a month has gone by and you’re ready to just forget it and go back to TV-watching and milkshake-slurping.
Before you jump off the deep end, I’m offering an idea to re-motivate and connect you to your goals.
Meet…the vision board.
One of my clients ran with this idea and found it incredibly helpful. She and her husband both worked toward their goals together, so they combined their motivation on one board. With her permission, I’m sharing her board, along with elements you might choose to include in YOUR personal vision board.
But first, I have to share that my client Lindsay repeatedly said that she isn’t crafty. Her vision board isn’t covered in flowery stamps or fancy lettering. But that’s actually what I love about it. It’s doable and easy for anyone!
Here are suggestions of what to include in your vision board…
1. Pictures of you at your heaviest weight.
As hard as they might be to look at, these photos can be highly motivating and remind you that you don’t want to go back to that place again.
2. Pictures of you at your healthiest weight.
Choose a time in life when you felt really good about yourself, and post the picture on your board. Notice I said “healthiest” weight, not “lowest” weight. If your lowest weight was during high school and you were borderline underweight because of a ridiculously high metabolism, that may not be a realistic goal to work toward.
Select a photo that shows you at a healthy, reasonable weight and also reflects the confidence you felt during that time.
3. Goal benchmarks, plus a way to track them.
Lindsay chose to track multiple benchmarks. First is the number of consecutive days on her plan. She didn’t just want to change her habits; she wanted to be consistent in following through. By putting simple tally marks on her board, she was able to track her consistency.
She also tracked pounds lost and pounds left to go. She wrote them on Post-It notes attached to her board and updated them regularly.
Another client of mine tracked this benchmark by setting two jars on her kitchen windowsill. In one jar she put glass stones — one for each pound she wants to lose. When she loses a pound, she moves a stone to the other jar. Her ultimate goal is to have ALL the stones transferred.
4. Your values.
All of my clients work through a values exercise to help them understand what truly motivates them. Lindsay wrote her Top 5 values on her board, along with a question to keep her connected to them.
Even if you don’t walk through an official values exercise, take time to connect with why health changes are important to you and then write them down. You could also post pictures of them, such as your kids, your Bible, etc.
5. Inspiring quotes and Bible verses.
These can be included in whatever form you like. If you’re artistic, feel free to add some flair. If you’re not artistic, you can simply write the words on a Post-It note or 3×5 card.
Bottom line: If your motivation is flagging, don’t throw your hands in the air and give up. Use these ideas and tips as a catalyst to re-energize your health journey. Post a vision board where you’ll see it, and you’re on your way to fresh inspiration.
You’ve got this!
