Visualization Board

Wow - so I had to fight with my Mac to get this picture on here but I did it! I love my new Mac, it's just hard getting used to it after all these years with PC. Anyway, not the point. The point here is to talk about what this board is and what it means to me.


2009 is undoubtably a big year for me for a variety of reasons all expressed above on my visualization board (VB) and explained below.

Upper left corner - My MBA
The ULC of the VB represents my graduation with a Master's Degree in Accounting. Years ago, starting in 2003 to be exact I started on the journey to get my Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Accounting so that I could sit for the CPA exam. Here I am just 7 weeks from graduation. I will walk in June with the local campus which will be fun since I didn't walk for my Bachelor's graduation.

Lower left corner - Career Path
The LLC of my VB represents the choice(s) I have with my career. Suggested by my father and supported by my own meandering thoughts I have dedicated a portion of my VB to help me find a way for what I want to do with my career now that I (almost) have all the credentials I've worked so hard for. Should I stay with good ol' faithful Treehouse, which I love and am not interested in leaving, or should I embark on new challenges - ones that test the skills I've learned and earn me a paycheck worthy of my student loans? I'm not sure but it's definitely something I will be thinking about over the next 6 months.

Inside left side - My CPA
Ah, what I have been working for and what has me scared to death right now. My CPA. As you can see I have visualized a whole section for my CPA - what it means to me to have worked so hard for it, what it will mean to get it, what it will mean to have it, how it will look when I do have it (meaning visualizing my name with those initials), and a host of encouraging words to get me there.

Middle thought cloud - Character Building
Inside that little cloud I have included a quote that really sums up the next 6 months and some words that I want to work towards in regards to my attitude and overall character.

Middle stalk - The Three R's
Rest, relaxation and rejuvenation. I'm going to need to keep these 3 R's in mind as I am going crazy preparing for the CPA and all these other goals and afterward when life equalizes again.

Middle bottom - Foundation
I am thankful. That is the very foundation for my visualization.

Lower right corner - Past, Present and the Future
I am in the last year of my twenties and I want it to be a year of remembering what I've done this past decade (I've even included some pictures of some memories over the years - they are the tiny index pictures though, so I was limited to which ones I had available). I want to be fully present in the now this year and not get wrapped up in the end result. College flew by and now I want to feel every moment of the CPA and my other goals. I want to be in the Now. I also want to consider my future and what the next decade might have in store for me. Big possibility.

Inside right side - Physical Loveliness
I've really let myself go with my weight and after all I've done to shape my body I am really ashamed of myself. Not any more. This year I pledge to lose the pounds the old fashioned way - diet and exercise. This part of the board visualizes me in a smaller size. I have a lot of weight to lose and I'll need a daily reminder. At the same time, I want to learn to love myself for who I am - always, even if I am currently overweight. I want to celebrate my beauty. MY beauty, not Cosmo's or the Paris Hilton's of the world.

Upper right corner - Baltic Cruise
So in all this visualization, this is the funnest one to think about and fantasize on. For all the work, the school, the CPA, the clean audit, the weight loss, our 2nd wedding anniversary - EVERYTHING for all of those reasons and then just simply the reason: because, we are going on a 20 day cruise of Northern Europe. I've talked about this before and no doubt I'll create a separate blog when the time draws near but for now the URC of my VB is dedicated to this celebratory exploration.

So that's it. The VB hangs above my mirror in my "get pretty" area. I look at it everytime I look at myself in the mirror. So each day I will hold myself accountable for my actions and have to answer to myself if I fail at making my visualization a reality. I spent over 5 hours putting the VB together and I think about that when I look it. It will take that kind of focus and energy everyday to make these dreams come true. I also have the picture on my iPhone so I can think about it on the road if I so choose.

Well that's about all I can say about my board. Now it's up to me to keep this blog posted on my progress!