You must be staying in Singapore. So do I! Vision boards are a great idea, I’m making them using Powerpoint. They really help! =)

And thanks for your kind words on the article . I like your writing too. Conversational, helpful and warm. Do keep up the good work and I’m sure I’ll see more of you in the blogosphere! This layout was a premium theme I bought. Did some minor customizations myself. Glad you liked it!

Cheers
Ellesse

I never really thought about using part of my vision board for social activity / social activeness, but I’m gonna give it a shot. (Most of the time, I keep it work-related, as that’s the area I’m always focused on.) Nice post! It’s rare to find something online that’s so well thought out and straight to the point.

I’m also glad my updates has actually brought your attention to linking activities with the Vision Board. In fact, I would probably associate a large part of my success with the vision boarding to writing my updates on the blog. Why?

Because When I’m writing down my updates, I’m constantly reflecting on the sequence of events that has happened and helps me brainstorm ways to achieve those areas that I’ve been visioning. For example, when I was writing down my first update for the financial wealth, I realized I was spending too much time reading up that I was leaving my money idle, and not investing it. That kind of prompted me to go for a passive portfolio first so that I still get to maximize my returns while learning.

It also acts as a gratitude journal. Because through making the effort to write them down, I learned to appreciate the improvements no matter how small or insignificant it may seem to be. And guess what, recently I read from a scientific research that people who keep a gratitude journal is 25% higher in terms of general well being and satisifaction with life than those who don’t! It’s a bonus, isn’t it?

So now I am paying attention.

One very interesting thing did happen with my vision board that I thought I would relate here.

When I wrote an exercise describing a day in my life as a visualization exercise, I created this house with a bedroom open to the sea. I described the scene in detail. About two months later I was amazed to find that visualization in the form of a large art canvas. I of course bought the canvas and put it up on my wall to look at everyday.

About two months after that, I found an article in a local newspaper talking about real estate with a seaview. Hanging on the wall of the bedroom was the exact same art work.

Now I am actively looking for the house.

Nick

• Visualize Your Goals : I personally use this and highly recommend it. The latest version even allows you to have audio MP3 music, and contains a free affirmations & picture library. But it costs USD 39.
• My Vision Board : A vision board community. Allows you to have your own vision board created for free and I think there’s a diary journal for users to jot their progress too if I’m not wrong. I’ve never used that though.
• MS Powerpoint : Yes. Just load your favourite pics with your own affirmative wordings and use animation to spice it up. Very effective and it’s free if you’ve already got the powerpoint software, that is.
• Wallpaper/Screensaver : Create your own picture file using MS Paint and save it as a wallpaper or screensaver.

As for the mindmapping software for goals, a couple of options :

• Mindgenius : It’s a premium software but I like it for it’s graphics. Definitely excellent for visual learners/goal setters. If you’re interested to know how you can mindmap your goals, can refer to this article.
• Freeminds : It’s a very fast, nifty open source software that I’ll recommend if you’ve got budget issues. But as I’m a visual learner/goal setter, the lack of graphics and stuff is a disadvantage. It’s just a personal preference though.
• Bubble.us : Similar to Freeminds except that it’s online. Very cool if you’ve want to share group goals.

As for motivational songs, Chris, it’s a good idea for another article… I’ll work on this… maybe you can give me some other suggestions and I’ll compile them for the benefit of other Goal Setting College readers!

P.S. Everyone, feel free to add your favourite songs into this list!