Lack of motivation and negative thinking are two of the main culprits behind fitness failure. But, simply repeating to yourself “mind over matter” might not be enough to keep you focused and motivated. What can you do to reach your fitness goals? Maybe you should look into how to create a vision board?
Breaking down bigger goals into smaller wins, educating yourself, and finding guidance can help. But creating a vision board remains one of the most powerful strategies to set yourself up for success.
Here’s what you need to know about creating and using a vision board for the best outcome!
Create a Process-Based Vision Board – Not an Outcome-Based One!
Visualization techniques such as meditation have been proved to be efficient tools to manage success. But the line between daydreaming and visualization is permeable – and often too easy to cross.
According to 2011 studies, having positive fantasies about idealized goals can be counterproductive and sap energy. Also, predict poor achievement. For example, fantasizing about having a sculpted and toned body can provide an immediate sense of relief. Thus, drawing your energy away from the effort necessary to achieve those goals.
Oppositely, as explored by a 1999 pilot study, creating a process-based mental simulation. More specifically, one that focuses on the effort needed to achieve goals. Rather than on the goals themselves can increase your chances of success.
When creating your vision board, keep in mind this principle and use images and media that focus on the process. For example, workouts, dietary changes, and overall well-being, rather than on the end goal.
Find High-Quality Images and Choose Your Design Tool Wisely
Vision boards are all about visualization. Luckily, thanks to today’s availability of high-quality fitness images, you won’t have to spend time cropping pictures out of a magazine or drawing out your goals!
Make sure to choose photos and media that you can empathize with match your goals. And that they relate to the way you want to feel. When arranging them on a physical or digital board, keep in mind how you wish to feel at each step of the process. Remember to also leave space for modifications later on.
The right design tool can help you create a timeline and add photos to cover various aspects of your fitness journey. Including changes in your dietary regime, workouts, and lifestyle factors.
Keep It With You in Digital Form – But Printing It Can Help
When using a digital design tool, all you’ll need to do after creating your board is download it on your smartphone or laptop. This strategy allows you to have immediate access to it anytime you need your motivation fix. Such as when you feel like skipping the gym!
But not everyone’s visualization power is the same, and a digital image can easily end up at the bottom of your phone’s camera roll. So, how do you prevent this “out of sight, out of mind” effect? A great solution is to invest in a professional print-out. This will remind you of your goals throughout the day.
Combine Your Board With Other Tools To Keep You Motivated
While creating a vision board is a great way to boost your chances of success, there’s more that you can do to keep yourself on the right track. For example, working with a coach, watching motivational movies to keep you fit, and breaking down more significant goals into smaller (and more easily achievable) milestones are all great strategies to try.
Don’t forget to keep track and measure your progress to find evidence that your fitness program is, in fact, working. And, update your vision board to account for your achievements and change of goals.
Work With a Personal Trainer To Understand What Your Real Goals Are
The goals you set will play a crucial role in how likely you are to achieve them. For example, setting vague objectives such as “lose weight” or “gain muscle” will cause your fitness program to be inadequate. Or maybe not specific enough to your lifestyle, fitness needs, budget, or dreams.
Working with a personal trainer before getting started with a vision board can help you visualize your total game plan, and understand how to channel your energy and motivation.
Conclusion
If you are lacking consistency and motivation with your fitness, definitely try to invest some time into creating a vision board. It can help you through the rough days, and remind you that this is a journey, not a destination.
Thank you for reading our article!
– Terry Asher
Terry Asher
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