Each year social media is ablaze with nurses making New Year’s resolutions. Many admit to making the same resolution from the previous year. So I find myself asking: What is it about the start of the year that we find ourselves committing to things that we want to accomplish? The question applies, whether it be in regards to losing weight, quitting smoking or advancing our nursing career and education.
Why is it that we don’t commit to doing these things any other time of the year?
Creating the Vision Board
Six years ago I found myself asking this very question as I set my resolution. It was in that moment that I decide to take a different approach. I decided to set an intention instead of a resolution. My intention was to see my vision.
After a trip to our local craft store, I returned home, gathered magazines that I collected during the year, then began to flip through the pages, finding words and pictures that would support my vision. Little did I know that the fun was just beginning.
As I cut, glued and painted on my poster board, I noticed that I was giving my visions life. The final result was a visual layout of things I wanted to accomplish in the months to come related to both my personal life and nursing career. It took away the stress of committing to one thing and hoping I lived up to it. Rather, it gave me a variety of things to work towards in the year to come.
I hung the vision board in my bedroom near the floor-length mirror, leaving me no choice but see my visions every time I looked at myself. It gave me positive strength and I even began to speak my visions out loud as I looked in the mirror.
Reflecting and Recreating Vision Boards
By January 1st of the following year I found myself looking forward to creating my next vision board. During the year I saved every magazine, newspaper, and any other type of personal keepsake from the year to use on my board. I also noticed my trip to the craft store led me to a bigger and brighter poster board. I purchased new markers and crayons.
But the thing that I remember most is reflecting back on my board from the previous year. I felt a sense of pride and accomplishment as many of the things on my board had actually come to life.
Once I completed my vision board for this year, I pulled out all of my previous boards. I immediately noticed that each board held a theme: happiness, fitness, career, education and wealth. This year’s theme was love; it appeared over and over again. With a daily vision, I am able to see that all things are possible by setting attainable goals and believing in myself. I know my visions will come to life as they have in the past.
Although the movement from New Year’s resolutions to New Year’s visions has worked for me, I don’t suggest that it will work for everyone. However it can be so valuable in motivating you to pursue your nursing career or personal goals that I do believe it is worth giving it a try. So if you have used a vision board before, I would love to hear how it has helped you—leave a comment below.