When I look back on the journey that brought me from a small town in Vietnam to studying and living in different countries, I can trace much of it back to a simple but powerful tool: a vision board.
It may sound like magic, but it isn’t. A vision board is a mirror of your deepest hopes. It’s a quiet conversation with your future. And for me, it was the first bold step toward dreaming big—despite not having much.
In this post, I’ll share how I created my first vision board, what came true, and how you can create your own. Whether you’re a student with big dreams, a professional seeking clarity, or someone looking for a little spark in life, I hope my story inspires you to begin your own vision.
What Is a Vision Board and Why It Matters
A vision board is a collection of images, words, and symbols that represent your goals and dreams. These are usually pasted onto a board or digital canvas that you can look at regularly. More than just decoration, a vision board helps you:
-
Visualize your ideal future
-
Focus on what truly matters
-
Stay inspired and aligned with your goals
During my TEDx talk in Dak Lak in the summer of 2024, I told the story of how creating a vision board changed my life. I was speaking to a room full of young dreamers from the Central Highlands, and I could see in their eyes what I once carried in mine: a quiet longing for something more, something bigger.
Growing Up in a Small Town: The Seed of a Dream
I was born and raised in a modest town in Vietnam, far from the skyscrapers of Saigon or the academic circles of the West. But even as a child, I was filled with questions. What was life like beyond the rice fields? What if I could study abroad? What if I could make a difference?
We didn’t have many resources, but what I had was a notebook, old magazines, and a relentless imagination.
One day, I read a story about a girl who got a scholarship to study overseas. I tore that page out and taped it on my wall. That was the beginning of my first vision board—though I didn’t know it had a name back then.
My First Vision Board: A Window to Possibility
I officially created my first real vision board at 15. I used an old cardboard box, cut it open, and started pasting anything that made my heart beat faster:
-
Photos of students in graduation gowns
-
A plane taking off
-
A girl reading a book under a tree
-
A world map with red pins marking dream destinations
-
Inspirational quotes like “Believe you can and you’re halfway there”
I didn’t know where these dreams would lead me. But putting them all in one place felt empowering. I would stare at that board every morning before school and every night before bed. It gave me purpose.
What Came True
So, what happened?
A lot.
I Got a Full Scholarship to Study Abroad
One of the pictures on my board was a student standing in front of a Canadian college with snow all around. A few years later, I got a full scholarship to study at Pearson College UWC in Canada—part of a global network of schools built to inspire peace and sustainability.
It was surreal.
I arrived in Canada with a suitcase and a heart full of gratitude. Every morning, I’d look out at the Pacific Ocean, thinking of that cardboard vision board back home in Vietnam. It worked.
I Traveled to Many Countries
Travel was always a big dream. I didn’t want to be a tourist—I wanted to understand cultures, learn languages, and meet people who live differently than I did.
From volunteering in the slums of Bangkok to interning in London’s finance world, I slowly ticked off the red pins on my world map. I never had it all figured out, but I had a direction. I had vision.
Why Vision Boards Work: The Psychology Behind It
You might ask, “Isn’t it just cutting out pretty pictures?” Not quite. Vision boards tap into something called visualization, a technique backed by neuroscience.
Here’s how it works:
-
Focus: When you put your goals in visual form, your brain begins to notice opportunities aligned with those goals.
-
Emotional connection: Seeing images that represent your dreams creates a deeper emotional attachment, motivating you to act.
-
Subconscious priming: Your subconscious mind starts aligning your actions with your vision, even without you realizing it.
Athletes, CEOs, and artists use vision boards for the same reason: to stay aligned with their purpose.
How to Create Your Own Vision Board
If you’ve never made one, here’s how to start.
Step 1: Reflect on What You Want
Ask yourself:
-
What do I really want in life?
-
Where do I want to go?
-
What kind of person do I want to become?
Don’t filter or limit yourself.
Step 2: Gather Your Supplies
You’ll need:
-
A board or cardboard
-
Old magazines, newspapers, or printed images
-
Scissors and glue
-
Markers or stickers (optional)
Or, go digital with tools like Canva or Pinterest.
Step 3: Choose Images and Words That Inspire
Find visuals that resonate. They don’t have to be literal. For instance, a sunrise can represent new beginnings. A trail in the forest can mean clarity or solitude.
Add words like:
-
“Courage”
-
“Abundance”
-
“Peace”
-
“Adventure”
Step 4: Assemble Your Board
There’s no rule here. Let it be playful, beautiful, or even chaotic. What matters is that it speaks to you.
Place it somewhere you’ll see every day—your bedroom wall, your desk, or even as your phone wallpaper.
Step 5: Revisit and Revise
A vision board isn’t a one-time thing. You can update it as your dreams evolve. Some people do it every year, like a ritual. Others keep it open-ended.
Lessons I Learned from My Vision Board
-
Clarity leads to courage
When you know what you want, you’re more likely to take bold action. -
Visualization breeds consistency
I stayed motivated because I saw my dreams every day. -
You don’t need to know the how
Just begin. Trust the process. The how will reveal itself along the way. -
Your environment matters
Surrounding yourself with positive images shapes your mindset more than you realize.
Dream, Visualize, Become
My first vision board was made with scrap materials, but it built the foundation for a life I’m deeply proud of. It helped me go from a small town in Vietnam to classrooms, stages, and cities I had only seen in books.
So here’s my invitation to you: make your own. Don’t worry if it’s perfect. Just make it honest.
Your vision board is not about creating a fantasy—it’s about planting seeds for your future. And if you care for it, believe in it, and work toward it, many of those seeds will bloom.
