a better vision board

It’s vision board season! Here’s a next level take on this traditional manifestation tool.

People will tell you to visualize a goal in order to get where you want to go, that you need crystal-clear, defined, measurable objectives and an achievable pathway to attain that goal. I disagree.

I don’t have a tangible goal…never did.

Yet, I have successfully gotten sober (and maintained that sobriety for more than 18 years), earned a master’s degree and numerous other certifications, and married a great man. I own a beautiful home in one of the most serene and scenic parts of the country, have two well-rounded, responsible children, and a decent bank account where I save money every month. I’ve written a multi-award-winning book, host a podcast that is currently in the top 10% of podcasts, and launched a coaching and energy healing business this year. I host workshops and retreats that fill my cup. I’ve created a sanctuary in my home to express my innermost thoughts and yearnings in my “meditation cave,” as well as a space to meet clients in my gorgeous in-home office, and also on this blog. Most of all, I’ve grown spiritually, emotionally, and mentally and I finally embody unconditional self-worth and self-love.

I know how to take care of my needs with both bubble baths and boundaries.

I’m in excellent physical health; I ran a half marathon (I run a couple times a week now), eat a low inflammation diet, and try to use as many low-tox products as I can get my hands on.

I tell you this not to pat myself on the back or to fish for accolades. I tell you this to show you what I’ve achieved without a tangible plan or ultimate vision, just a desire to feel a certain way.

I hold the energy of how I want to feel, and the universe opens her broad, beautiful arms as she welcomes me into her flow, revealing the steps I need to take to embody that energy. I have a feeling, a sensing, a high vibe energy associated with where I want to go and that’s all I need.

We try to control the show (and mislabel it as manifestation) on our way to achieving a goal because we are afraid our dreams won’t become reality (a kind of loss), so we plan and prepare and set goals and work tirelessly to make them happen because we desperately do not want to fail (more loss…it always goes back to loss).

Instead of planning and preparing with spreadsheet after spreadsheet, you need to trust your individual soul path and embody the energy of what you want NOW to deliver more later. (Now is my word for 2025.)

My achievements weren’t on a vision board when I got sober. (In fact, I’ve never made a vision board in my life!) Each one resulted from pure inspiration created by a desire to grow and change myself and the world around me, desire I didn’t even know I had. Ones which usually hang out below the surface, subconsciously, until they rise with vigor and I am unable to hold back. Compelled into each achievement by something greater than me, I open up to what needs to happen, to however the universe wants to use me, and I follow.

More powerfully, feeling gratitude now for the energy I wish to hold delivers more and more success (both emotionally and materially).

I don’t need to steer the ship. I just need to stay buckled in my seat and keep my heart pure. The only requirements on my part are to trust the universe to deliver the nudges, investigate them, and take action if they feel aligned with my soul. By not trying so hard, I avoid overwhelm and exhaustion and find time to ground into the present moment and jump into the flow, which is where the nudges live. This yields much less anxiety than hustling to get somewhere that may not be where I’m truly meant to be.

Deciding what I want is tricky for a person like me because my wants change frequently; my bullseye is a moving target. I think I want one thing then the next day it morphs into something else, usually something bigger, better, and more fulfilling.

Staying fixed on one goal limits how far you can go. You may shortchange yourself as the universe has much bigger plans for you than you can put on paper right now.

There is no ultimate “goal” — it’s the process, the being, where fulfillment truly comes from. Without set goals and pressure to achieve, we are free to go with the flow, to ride the waves at the exact moment they hit.

This is the true way to manifest.