Okay, so yesterday we discussed investment dressing, which sure elicited a lot of really interesting thoughts and only reinforced to me that I am not the only one to consider investment dressing the unicorn of the fashion world!
But today, I am going to share something that may also elicit some diverse opinions as well: vision boards.
As you know, I find myself at age 50 as a bit of a drop-out from my old life and working diligently to only move on to those things that make my heart sing. I suspect that a mid-life change of career is not dissimilar to a mid-life change of spouse - there are things you quite liked about the old one, but if you are doing a do-over, well, might as well have a do-over that really makes your heart sing!
One of the things that has helped me is the book, the Passion Test, which I have blogged about before.
The Passion Test requires you to go through a series of exercises aimed at helping you define your passions and prioritizing and pursuing those passions in a realistic way.
Lots of beautiful spots, words and images to inspire me, things to think about. To me, it is a happy collage of things that I think are important and that I want to pursue in my life. Maybe not literally that exact thing - I mean, Nigella Lawson is unlikely to give up that room to me - but the feeling and and dream that the image evokes. Your eye catches on things and makes you think. You can't really tell, but the "YOU" on the bottom is actually "YOU: 2.0"
Will this help? Well, I am quite sure it won't hurt and it is helping me to concentrate on what I want to do with my life and the kinds of things I want to see and the sort of people I want to be associated with. I am really looking at Wendy 2.0 as a bit of an adventure and my life's work and project right now. Looking at these images makes me think that the world's beauty, and happiness, is available to us all and so why not go grab it?
I had heard of vision boards before, but had never tried doing one. Will let you know as soon as I make all of my dreams come true! :-) Have you ever done one of these before?
Until then, just "imagine" the good time we will all have when we meet! Stay Safe out there!
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| You can buy the tshirt here - really |
But today, I am going to share something that may also elicit some diverse opinions as well: vision boards.
As you know, I find myself at age 50 as a bit of a drop-out from my old life and working diligently to only move on to those things that make my heart sing. I suspect that a mid-life change of career is not dissimilar to a mid-life change of spouse - there are things you quite liked about the old one, but if you are doing a do-over, well, might as well have a do-over that really makes your heart sing!
One of the things that has helped me is the book, the Passion Test, which I have blogged about before.
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| If you are interested you can buy it at Amazon |
The Passion Test requires you to go through a series of exercises aimed at helping you define your passions and prioritizing and pursuing those passions in a realistic way.
One of the most interesting exercises that they require of you is a vision board. A vision board is a visual manifestation of your passions and desires. It is a creative exercise that is designed to make you think about what your passions might "look like", something which is helpful to someone who is visual like myself. The point is that, similar to meditating and thinking about the passions you have identified and developing an action plan for their implementation, you can "see" them as well.
I had a lot of fun cutting up images from magazines and the internet. It was interesting to see the things that I was attracted to and how I felt they related to the things I have identified as my passion right now. I hung it up beside my bed yesterday as a reminder. I know - it sounds REALLY goofy, but it is also kind of inspiring and thought-provoking. Not sure what Barry thinks about seeing it there, but may inspire him as well!
Thought you might get a kick out of seeing mine, since I sort of feel like you are all taking this journey with me! As only I would, have named it Wendy's Vision Board of Delights!
Lots of beautiful spots, words and images to inspire me, things to think about. To me, it is a happy collage of things that I think are important and that I want to pursue in my life. Maybe not literally that exact thing - I mean, Nigella Lawson is unlikely to give up that room to me - but the feeling and and dream that the image evokes. Your eye catches on things and makes you think. You can't really tell, but the "YOU" on the bottom is actually "YOU: 2.0"
Will this help? Well, I am quite sure it won't hurt and it is helping me to concentrate on what I want to do with my life and the kinds of things I want to see and the sort of people I want to be associated with. I am really looking at Wendy 2.0 as a bit of an adventure and my life's work and project right now. Looking at these images makes me think that the world's beauty, and happiness, is available to us all and so why not go grab it?
I had heard of vision boards before, but had never tried doing one. Will let you know as soon as I make all of my dreams come true! :-) Have you ever done one of these before?
Until then, just "imagine" the good time we will all have when we meet! Stay Safe out there!
I haven't done a vision board for many years! Thanks for reminding me Wendy...I need one now.
ReplyDeleteYour board is so organized and neat looking. As opposed to mine, which was haphazard and disorganized.
I am going to start tearing out inspiring images and start a new board.
well thanks, AWSL, I didn't mean it to be neat - maybe I am supposed to be a collage artist! It is fun to look at and think about and I had never done one before, so it got me out of my comfort zone!
DeleteI've done 2 major vision boards. One I put away & forgot all about until I moved. When I saw it, everything had come true, incl owning a Jeep and getting married. Another one I did about 5 years ago, same thing. Only that one was visible in my home office and I'd look at it every so often. After a long time of not looking at it, I viewed it again and just about everything on it came true -- incl being on time. lol
ReplyDeleteThanks for the inspiration to do one again :)
Well Gigi - you are making me hopeful! The whole concept behind the passion test, is that by determining what your passions are at any particular time, and then prioritizing them, helps you focus on them. Right now, I am really focused on my health and my writing and I think the fewer "distractions", the easier it is to get at it!
DeleteGigi, you really make me want to do one, wow!
DeleteWell now I'll ruin it for some of you. lol Years ago I saw an author on Oprah who introduced the concept. I just Googled and cannot find her info. Her thought process on how to create it was a little different. I think you put certain things on the left, like where you felt you were now and then on the right things you desired, no matter how realistic you believed they were or not. In Googling, I ended up finding this info, per O. I like Martha Beck's writing and her Africa example is a really good one. The point of the vision board is that you don't know the "how." Just pull out images and words that appeal to you. Even if it's a frog on a bed, or a fountain. It's the symbolism of those things that mean something to you. Don't judge. Just rip, cut & glue. Later examine it and I guess that's when you can use WMM's book as a guide or other info that you find. I definitely recommend it, even if you don't consider yourself visual.
DeleteGreat explanation Gigi - you are never supposed to worry about the how, which is fun. I guess that all that good energy and intentions has to manifest itself somehow!
DeleteSo it's a bit like Pinterest but with scraps? I might give it ago, perfect for a rainy day !
ReplyDeleteI am going to send you that book! You need to do them together to get most bang!
DeleteI like your board!
ReplyDeleteI find that I don't have much luck with making these - for fashion or life. I don't relate to the glossy magazine pictures, I guess, even if they are of things that I aspire to.
But, it's an interesting idea. And when I thought about what I'd put on mine, one image popped to mind instantly - a career related one - which suggests to me that deep down I really do know what I want to do with my life. Hm.
Oh Abby - that is really interesting! I had to go look at a bunch of magazines and sites to find the words/images that spoke to me. I think we often know what we want to do do, personally or professionally, but for many reasons, we avoid doing them. At least that was true of me!
DeleteI will take a closer look later but your board looks full, varied and interesting, like you. I've never done one but I took one of those tests which turned out words which sum up my interests: food, travel, books, and numbers. I learned early on that I cannot make a living as a travel writer or a book/restaurant critic. I'm good with numbers though which helps me fund my first 3 loves.
ReplyDeleteisn't that awesome - I wish I was good at numbers!
DeleteLove this! I've never done anything like this. And guess what, our Little Miss has that t shirt, it's true! It's her favourite!
ReplyDeleteOh My gosh - tell her I am soooo jealous!!! I found it actually a real blast to do! Makes you think about how to visually represent your dreams!
DeleteVISIONARY Inspiration/ mood boards kind of remind me of early work (they are a standard of both ad agency compaigns and hotel renos/ re-brands.) Yours is a lovely, happy respite and I think very you WMM.
ReplyDeleteI might be a bit like Abby in that the glossy snapshots are a distraction for me. Something about my self-perfectionist nature and if I can't have it looking exactly like that, with the window, then it isn't working. But I do keep a "goal" list with some pictures, so bit of the same thing. I do like the idea of looking at things with fresh eyes and focussing on something because it resonates with you. Getting beyond the should, would, could. Which totally makes me think of one of your lovely commenters here.
Happy almost Miller Time day! How does your garden go?
Is interesting - Barry does one in a notebook - I think I will actually snap this and put it in a notebook!
DeleteYesterday was up to my knees it seemed in muck, splitting hostas. Have more to plant today - haven't even begun weeding! It has been pouring for 3 days, but i am resolute in my need to get out and get it all in! Am off to the nursery this am for some more things. My manservant Barry will accompany me, reluctantly!
I can't even keep a goal list. What does this say about me? I am too go with the flow sometimes; I should probably identify and stick up for/stick to my goals more. But then again, you never know what is around the next corner and I love that!
DeleteAbby, think I'm a bit older than you, but still often feel divided between the "goal" and the spontaneous, random, unknown, wonderful, "let's go" side of life. I'm trying to embrace having a plan yet being 100% willing to let it go in the bends. I think all we can do in life is make the best choices we can in the moment, instead of trying to predict the outcomes. What ifing too much sucks all the opportunity and joy out.
DeleteWMM, snapshot would be cool. I like something I can carry around with me (reminder, talisman), scribble in when inspiration strikes. Plus, practically, not much solid wall space in a condo.
DeleteGood words of wisdom, GF.
DeleteI'm pretty easy about a lot of things, but my career "dream" is in conflict with that as it would require more schooling and nearly certainly is not achievable over here, so it's heavy on the commitment front and turns into a much bigger question. I am trying to figure out how to roll with it but not give up either.
I like the idea of having a plan but being able to let go too. And you're so right about the whatifing!
Well, if you tap into a passion, work will feel less like work, even when it is hard, routine, challenging. And given that and sleep take up biggest chunks of most lives, pretty important to find best fit we can I think (although this changes at different life stages.)
DeleteHave you delved into the different aspects of what excites you about your career dream? Once you've done the schooling, is it something "transportable" that you could take to different places (an important criteria for those of us with wanderlust IMO.) Is there another job/ role/ variation that would give you any of the same matches in terms of focus, type of work, environment that doesn't require quite the same commitment? Any way to take a couple of courses in your chosen discipline/ specialty (though online/ distance learning or other, now to see if matches up with your perception?
All i know is that I was really good at my old job, i mean, I went all the way to the top, but it was never truly satisfying, whereas when I write, the time flies, the words fly and the whole thing just feels "right" - I think you can have lots of passions/interests and that they can change over time, but it sounds like you do have something nagging, Abby..
DeleteWendy & GF, you make very good points & thank you for sharing your thoughts Would love to write more but it is late here, perhaps another time! Or I'll just keep posting to this comment thread another day ;)
DeleteI will have both of my kids away at college in the fall this is the perfect time to refine and organize my passions and shifts in goals. Thanks for the great idea. I'm a "visual learner" and the inspiration board is very appealing to me. I'll give it a try! BTW, love your board!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I've been waiting for someone to mention the "wonderfully eccentric" line!
DeleteWonderfully eccentric...what a great way to be eccentric. France, spirituality, health and domestic bliss all work for me as well.
DeleteMy new J Crew catalog just arrived today and I'll be clipping a photo from the Tanzania shoot featuring Liya Kebede for my inspiration board. She is not only a successful, gorgeous model, but she has her own foundation to improve maternal women care and children's health in Africa. J Crew is promoting her work in the June catalog which is awesome of them! On the promotional photo Liya looks so radiant from within, wearing minimal make up and an oversized white sweater with the plains of Tanzania in the back round. Inner beauty meets outer beauty.
I have never done a vision board per se; however, we do write "faith visions" for our marriage and each other, so I guess that's pretty close to a board! I love the idea of a vision board, so I need to create one soon!!!
ReplyDeleteHI Rynetta! What a wonderful idea! Talk about a great way to make your marriage stronger!
DeleteI never did a vision board or anything of that sort, I don't even do a pinterest. Frankly, not so long ago this would seem silly but then so did yoga and now it is best part of my week..
ReplyDeleteI think I tend to be very abstract in my thinking and not so visual and maybe that's why but it may be a good exercise. On the other hand, I strongly believed in a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson 'Beware what you set your heart upon. For it shall surely be yours'.
ajc, that Emerson quote has resonated with me too. More when I was younger, studying lit. and trying to figure out the kind of life I wanted. But hear ya! And I think commitment (conscious and unconscious) does lead to a lot of realissation.
DeleteHi Ajc - I hear you - I was the same about yoga and meditation and now could not do without either. That's why I like the book that I note above - they are multiple avenues one could take. Having said all of that, I think this is an extremely useful exercise for someone looking for a change or wondering what to do next. I am going to do it with my son when he graduates, as he really doesn't know what he wants to do next.
DeleteI haven't done a vision board, but I find it intriguing. I am somewhat (like you) questioning what the next chapter should be. I was very successful in the corporate world when I was very young, and left that behind to pursue my education (which was MY measure of success). Now I have to think about what to do with this education, but can't help feeling, after so many years in classroom lalaland that the transition may not be so seamless. Going from working 24/7 in my home office to a workplace may be very difficult, even if I pursue a professorship. I know I was born to write, and academia seems like a perfect fit, but I am a burn out. A vision board may be just what I need!
ReplyDeleteHI Anthro Blogger! I hear you! I recommend you pick up the book and do the whole process - I think once it is really clear, you start to get excited and you may find yourself very surprised!
DeleteHi Wendy, the idea of a vision board to identify passions is really interesting. I recently had to do a mood board for a project that I was working on, but I haven't yet tried doing one for myself as a "life goals" project. I have been going through a great deal of turmoil lately, much of it due to the fact that I can't shake the feeling that I have wasted the past 20 years of my life doing things that I really never enjoyed, and now have very little time left to really do the things that I want to do. I desperately wish to go back to school full time because what I want to do is 180 degrees opposite to what I have done in the past - but now it seems like the way forward is shut, given that I have 2 small children to care for. My husband is very supportive of my desire to make a career change, but when I think of the obstacles I face, and the hardships that I am putting my family through, it does feel rather depressing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this thought-provoking post!
Louise - it is NEVER too late - I felt the same way, but as I worked through all of it after Christmas, I began to feel more and more empowered. What I wish I had known 10 years ago is that yes, you will give up some financial security for a short period of time, but you will get it back in terms of excitement and peace of mind! If you ever want to chat off-line - just email me sydforry@hotmail.com. I can call you, too!
DeleteHi Wendy, thank you so much for your kind words! I really appreciate it. I will email you soon!
DeleteYour board looks wonderfully you, maybe needs a bit more muck!
ReplyDeleteI think this kind of exercise could help self-censoring women-- it is sometimes hard to give ourselves the actual permission to think about and do something else. I also think anything done WELL is worthwhile, and we tend to judge our contributions too harshly.
Lane - agree completely. I think we do judge our contributions too harshly and we shouldn't as they are so important!
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