Vision Board Hack: Use Your Phone Wallpaper to Train Your Brain for Success
Every year, I choose a word – something that keeps me grounded in what I want to create for myself. And every year, I make a vision board. But here’s the thing – I don’t just slap some pretty pictures on a poster board and hope for the best. I use my vision board like a roadmap, checking in, adjusting, and – my favourite part – taking things off when I’ve actually achieved them. Because, yes, vision boards work. And science backs it up.
The Reticular Activating System: Your Brain’s “Hey, Pay Attention to This” Filter
Ever notice that when you start thinking about getting a new car, suddenly you see that exact make and model everywhere? That’s not magic – that’s your Reticular Activating System (RAS) at work. Your RAS is a network of neurons in your brainstem that filters the millions of bits of information coming at you every second. It decides what’s important based on what you focus on.
Vision boards work the same way. When you intentionally put images and words in front of you that represent your goals, your brain starts filtering the world differently. It’s not that opportunities weren’t there before – it’s just that now, your RAS is making sure you see them.
🎥 Want a quick breakdown of the RAS? Watch my short video here.
The Neuroscience of Vision Boards: Why This Isn’t Just Woo-Woo
Neuroscience tells us that visualization is powerful. Studies have shown that mental imagery activates the same neural pathways as actually doing the thing. Olympic athletes use this technique all the time – picturing themselves crossing the finish line strengthens the brain-body connection, making the goal feel more achievable.
Your vision board does the same thing. Seeing your goals daily reinforces the neural pathways that say, this is possible for me. It also helps shift your identity – if you see yourself as someone who takes road trips with your family, moves into your dream home, or grows a thriving business, you’re more likely to take the actions that align with that reality.
Dream Big: What Do You Actually Want?
Before you start slapping images on your vision board, take a second and ask yourself: What do I actually want my life to look and feel like? Not what society tells you to want, not what your parents, kids, or friends think you should want – what truly lights you up?
Don’t play small here. This is a vision – you don’t need to know the how yet. You just need to let yourself dream freely. Picture the version of you who wakes up excited, who feels aligned, who is living a life that feels like a full-body YES.
Once you’ve created your vision board, do a gut check. Look at each image and ask yourself, Does this feel like a hell yes? If not, swap it out for something that does. This board is 100% for you.
My Favourite Vision Board Hack: Your Phone Wallpaper
Now, as much as I love a good Pinterest-worthy board, I’ve found that the most effective vision board is the one I see constantly. Enter: my phone wallpaper.
Think about it – how many times a day do you check your phone? (If you just said not that much, I’d like to politely call BS.) By using your phone wallpaper as your vision board, you’re giving your RAS a direct, daily reminder of your goals.
Here’s how to do it:
- Create a collage.
- Include your word of the year.
- Keep it simple.
- Update it as you go – This part is so satisfying. I’ve taken off images of road trips, moving boxes, my husband’s Lasik surgery, and even blog traffic goals as they’ve become real life.
Grab Your Free (for a limited time!) Vision Board Wallpaper Guide!
If you want a step-by-step guide to creating your own phone wallpaper vision board, I’ve got you covered! Download my free Vision Board Wallpaper PDF here.
Your Future Starts With What You See Today
If you’ve been feeling stuck, unsure, or just in need of some fresh motivation, try this. Make your vision board. Put it somewhere you can’t ignore it. Watch how your brain starts finding ways to make it happen.
Because trust me, there is nothing like the feeling of realizing you’re living inside what was once just a picture on a screen.
What’s going on your vision board this year? Drop a comment – I’d love to hear!
Are you a mompreneur that’s looking for more ways to shift your money mindset? Try these simple Law of Attraction exercises.