Using Visual Anchors For Your Goals

“Any idea, plan, or purpose may be placed in the mind through repetition of thought.” ~ Napoleon Hill

Now that you have identified your intentions and goals, you must keep them at the forefront of your mind and heart. One of the greatest obstacles to any goal is forgetting your goals after you have set them. If this is your story, then you are not alone.

Here, we will explore an important step for actively creating the life you want and receiving the goals you set for yourself. It’s all about visuals. Keeping your intentions alive every day is critical to the success of that goal.

Visuals activate creative energy inside of you and creative energy is what you need to manifest your goals.

In this article, I will show you 5 ways to visually anchor your goals and ramp up the feel-good factor around manifesting your desires. When you are excited about your goals, it’s much easier to be persistent and take consistent, inspired action. I suggest following through with at least one of these 5 ideas in the following week. If you are really ambitious, you could do all 5! Do what works for you. There is no rush on this. In the coming months, continue to add visual anchors around you.

1. Create a Vision Board

Find pictures from magazines (or the Internet) that represent your individual goals. If traveling is one of your goals, you can easily find pictures from travel brochures. Go to your local travel agent and pick up a few. Set aside about 20 minutes one day and cut out the pictures.

Next, glue the pictures to a large poster board or attach to a white display board. Make a collage with them. You may organize them any way you wish. There really are not rules here. After you have adhered your pictures to the board, step back and admire it. Does it evoke any emotion? Your board needs to INSPIRE and UPLIFT you. If it does, display it somewhere. Make sure you can easily see it. If you feel a bit shy about your board, think about putting it on a blank wall in your closet where only your eyes can see it. Don’t worry, you will find a place for it. Also, you don’t have to talk about your goals with anyone. Keep them private, if you wish. Yet, DISPLAY the poster somewhere. Let those goals breathe!

Hint: Include a photo of YOU in the center!

2. Create a Vision Book

A vision book is a collection of photos in an album or in an artist’s sketchbook. This is my personal favorite because I can easily carry it around with me. Smaller ones are fun since they easily fit in a purse or briefcase.

You can even set aside three to five pages of your companion journal to add photos as visual anchors. This way, you have it right there with you and with your written goals.

3. Surround Yourself with Goal-Inspired Objects

Let’s say you REALLY want new hardwood floors.  How badly do you want that pretty new floor?  Are you willing to do something slightly wacky to increase your chances?

Go to your local home improvement store and buy one or two samples of hardwood planks.  Look around and pretend you are ready TODAY to select the floor you want.  Have fun with it and feel the excitement and gratitude around having new flooring.  Really feel it.

Then, take your wood sample and display it somewhere obvious. Place it underneath your calendar at work so you’ll look at it all day long.  Or, place a wood sample by your nightstand.  This is what I call a visual anchor and it will help you speed up the process of getting your wood floors.

How does this work, you ask?  Well, the anchor serves as a constant reminder.  You’ll never forget your goal.  You’ll find yourself making choices that support your goal.  For example:  If finances are preventing you from installing the floor right now, you’ll notice yourself saving money for the floor or curbing your spending.  It does work.  Your subconscious mind wants to help you with your goals.

4. Using Words as Visual Anchors

Suppose one of your goals is “getting fit”. To anchor yourself to this goal, frame a picture of your ideal body and place it on your desk. Frame positive sayings or make up a personal mantra such as “I am in the process of becoming fit.” Place these frames in key locations such as the bathroom, kitchen, or your office. While you’re on the phone, you’ll have plenty of time to gaze at your anchors.

Another great anchor is a fitness magazine. Subscribe to your favorite magazine and take time to read it each month. Doing so will help you stay focused on your goal of becoming fit.  Every time the magazine arrives in the mail, make sure you set aside focused time to devour it!

5. Create a Video or a Mind Movie

You can make a 30 second slideshow for free on sites such as Animoto.com!  It’s very fun and super easy.  They even have the music.  I suggest alternating photos with words (I AM radiant, I AM fit, etc).  Watch your video as a daily ritual.

Every year, I create a Mind Movie with my intentions and goals for the year and I watch it faithfully everyday, so I know this really works!

This week, think about the visual anchors you’d like to create or buy.  Dash out and create or buy one today, if you’d like.  Then, PROUDLY DISPLAY it!  As time goes on, you’ll add additional anchors, so don’t feel rushed to do it all this week.

Continue to write down your goals each week. Keep then in the forefront of your mind and heart. Feel into those goals. What will you feel once you have them? Feel into that feeling! Totally immerse yourself in your new life story. And, act as if you have already received them!