Action Boards

For years, I found myself leaning towards skepticism when it came to the idea of vision boards. The concept seemed too fanciful, too much like wishful thinking. However, my perspective shifted when I had the opportunity to speak with the renowned neuroscientist and medical doctor, Dr. Tara Swart Bieber. She unveiled the fascinating science behind vision boards, shedding new light on this practice that has captured the imaginations of so many.

Dr. Swart Bieber explained, "In our modern world, we are constantly bombarded with a deluge of information. Our brains have adapted to filter out anything that doesn't appear immediately relevant to our survival. This means our minds are primarily focused on keeping us alive, rather than on achieving success or taking calculated risks." This survival-centric thinking can hinder our ability to pursue our dreams.

The brain, however, is a powerful tool that can help us create the life we desire. To activate its full potential, we need to intentionally prime it. Crafting a vision board, according to Dr. Swart Bieber, is a way of signaling to your brain that you're safe and can shift your attention from mere survival to thriving. This process, known as selective filtering, essentially tells your brain that you have the essentials—food, shelter, security—and now it's time to focus on the goals you want to achieve. "This, in turn, triggers selective attention, making you more attuned to the opportunities and cues that will lead you towards the realization of your aspirations," she explained.

This phenomenon of selective attention is something most of us have experienced. It's like when you suddenly notice a particular word everywhere after learning it or spot the car models you were considering buying all over the streets. The cars were always there; what changed is where you directed your focus.

To make your vision board even more effective, Dr. Swart Bieber recommends incorporating "value tagging." This involves consciously identifying the elements in your life that hold importance so that your brain can prioritize them. Taking this a step further, you can create what she calls an "action board," which combines selective filtering, selective attention, and value tagging into a single practice.

But why choose an action board? Dr. Swart Bieber clarifies that the belief in manifesting your ideal life without taking any tangible actions is a notion that needs revising. "For far too long, there's been this notion that you can simply sit at home, daydream about your perfect life, and wait for it to materialize. Based on neuroscience, I cannot endorse this belief," she asserted. "It's more beneficial for your brain, your sense of agency, and your belief in your own capabilities when you can show yourself the steps you took to bring about those results." By connecting your visions with specific actions, you significantly increase the likelihood of turning them into reality.

For those who may not be entirely sure about the specific goals they want to include on their action board, Dr. Swart Bieber suggests focusing on representing a feeling rather than concrete items. While financial goals or travel destinations are fantastic additions, it's perfectly acceptable to explore images or words that resonate with you, even if you're uncertain about why they do.

Whether you choose to create your action board online or through traditional means using cutouts from magazines and foam board, the key is to have a tangible representation that you can view regularly. This way, your brain can engage in the three crucial cognitive processes triggered by visual cues. Dr. Swart Bieber recommends refreshing your action board once a year.

After years of dedicated research into neuroplasticity, Dr. Swart Bieber has concluded that action boards are among the most potent tools for achieving change and transformation. So, pick a meaningful moment, perhaps a fresh start, and create your action board. Harness the power of neuroscience to take a significant step towards the life of your dreams.