Everyone has thousands of thoughts and ideas every day without even realizing it. Add some awareness to that thought or idea and it has the power to change your life. One way I have been able to become more consciously aware of my thoughts is by creating a Vision Board. A Vision Board is commonly used to represent your goals and aspirations. I’ve always been very goal-oriented and find it hard to function without setting goals. I haven’t always used a vision board. I once thought posting pictures of fancy cars and cut-out magazine words was kind of cheesy.
My idea of goal setting was simple:
- Think about what you want.
- Write it down.
That’s it. As I’ve gotten older, I started to wonder if I was just setting goals to check something off. Sometimes I would even fall short of my goals, and I couldn’t figure out why. The better question was, “Why is this so important to me?” I realized I was setting goals without a real vision. I simply had a goal with no purpose behind it. My goal-setting needed a different approach. I saw my wife’s vision board one day full of color, inspiration, and creativity. The vision board idea started to look less cheesy. It actually looked like fun. I figured I would give it a try. My goal-setting strategy has become more in-depth. It’s backed by a visual reminder of where I am going, why it is so important, and what a successful future could look like.
As a Life & Mindset Coach I am all about positive forward thinking; however, I also believe in being strategic and preparing for obstacles that could come along the way. I created The VisionBoard Coaching Model taking inspiration from my goal-setting strategy, coaching learnings, and my vision to promote positive forward thinking for my clients.
Coaching Style & Target Client
The gap between where you are now and where you want to be can be full of challenges, decisions, and change. As a Life and Mindset Coach, I partner with clients to build courage and motivation to help them reach their goals. My coaching style is driven by positive forward thinking and challenging the client. You can expect regular check-ins and an emphasis on accountability. My coaching style is ideal but not limited to clients looking to improve productivity and time management to reach their goals. I also focus on mindfulness to promote self-awareness and strengthen mental well-being. I understand the stress that can come from a demanding schedule leading to burnout. It’s important for me to not only help you reach your goals but to reach them with a healthy mindset. The process is meant to be fun and challenging.
V.I.S.I.O.N. Board Coaching Model
The Vision Board Coaching Model is designed to promote self-awareness around what you want in life and why they are important to you. This coaching model will help you create a more vivid picture of your goals and aspirations. It’s about setting goals with a purpose. The Vision BoardCoaching Model enables you to create a strategic plan for your goal that will help you move forward taking into consideration obstacles that might come along the way. Together the coach and the client will partner to create a visual representation of their goal(s). Though it serves as a visual of what a successful future could look like it is also meant to challenge you in the NOW.
Visualize
Visualize what you want to achieve.
The first step is understanding what the client is looking to achieve. In this stage, we explore the client’s goals and create a vivid picture by digging into what success will look like once that goal is achieved.
Questions:
- What is your goal?
- What does that look like?
- What would success look like?
- How do you want to be?
Importance
Identify the Importance.
Now that we have explored the client’s goals it is time to dig into the “why”—understanding “why” will provide the client with more clarity around the goal and promote self-awareness.
Questions:
- Why is this so important to you?
- What does this mean to you?
- What would it mean to achieve this?
Set Goal
Set your goal.
Once the client has a clear understanding of what they want to achieve and why it is time to set the goal.
Examples:
- Earn more money to provide for my family.
- Exercise to stay mentally and physically healthy.
Ideas
Ideas/Actions
We now explore the client’s ideas and partner with them to create action steps that will help them move forward toward their goal.
Questions:
- What actions can you take?
- How do you plan on achieving this goal?
- What resources do you need to be successful?
Obstacles
Prepare for Obstacles.
This step is about being strategic. Preparing for what could get in the way is less about thinking negatively and more about how the client will overcome challenges along the way to stay committed to the goal. In this step, we will discuss accountability and further discuss resources that could help the client.
Questions:
- What might get in the way?
- What obstacles could prevent you from achieving this goal?
- How will you overcome these obstacles?
- How will you stay committed?
Now
What can you do Now?
The coach and the client now have a clear understanding of what a successful future would look like for the client. In partnering with the client, we have now covered what, why, ideas, action steps, obstacles, accountability measures, and resources. While planning and preparing for the future is important, we must first address the now. This step is meant to challenge the client to act without delay.
- What action can you take right now?
- What can you commit to?
Reference
Mylett, E. & Chandler, M. (2024) ‘Unyielding: Michael Chandler on Success and Mental Toughness’, The Ed Mylett Show [Podcast]. 25Jun. (Accessed 25 June 2024).
ICA Learnsite –Foundation Coach (Accessed 27 June 2024).
ICA Learnsite– The ICF Competencies and Markers (Accessed 29 May 2024).