Unpacking the Myths: Why Vision Boards Don’t Work
Cracked Hat
Robert Carter
Vision boards—those dreamy collages of goals, affirmations, and magazine cutouts of luxury vacations—are often marketed as the ultimate tool for manifesting success. They promise to help you focus on your dreams, stay motivated, and achieve anything you desire.
But if you’ve ever spent hours crafting the perfect vision board only to feel like nothing’s changed months later, you’re not alone. As a therapist, I’ve seen countless people frustrated by their lack of progress despite their best intentions. It’s not that you don’t want success or that you’re not trying hard enough. The problem often lies in the approach itself.
Here’s the truth: while vision boards are visually inspiring, they often fail to create real, lasting change. In some cases, they may even stand in the way of your progress. Let’s explore why—and, most importantly, what you can do instead to turn your aspirations into reality.
Here’s the truth: while vision boards are visually inspiring, they often fail to create real, lasting change. In some cases, they may even stand in the way of your progress. Let’s explore why—and, most importantly, what you can do instead to turn your aspirations into reality.
Why Vision Boards Don’t Work
They Create a False Sense of Accomplishment
Have you ever imagined your dream career or perfect home so vividly that it felt real for a moment? That’s because your brain can confuse imagining success with actually achieving it. Psychologist Gabriele Oettingen calls this phenomenon “mental contrasting.”
For example, you might create a vision board with images of yourself on stage giving a TED Talk or running a successful business. Visualizing these scenarios can trigger a surge of dopamine, the brain’s “reward” chemical. While this feels great in the moment, it can trick your brain into thinking you’ve already made progress. Without concrete steps, that burst of excitement fades, leaving you feeling stuck or even discouraged.
They Focus on Outcomes, Not the Process
Vision boards are all about the “what”—that ideal career, dream vacation, or financial freedom—but they rarely address the “how.”
Imagine you want to be a published author. You put a picture of a best-selling book cover on your board and think about how great it would feel to hold that book in your hands. But what’s missing? The small, unglamorous steps it takes to get there: writing 500 words a day, revising drafts, submitting to publishers, and facing rejection.
Research shows that focusing on the process is far more effective than fixating on the outcome. Studies in behavior change and habit formation (James Clear, Atomic Habits) emphasize that success comes from consistent, actionable steps. For instance, breaking your goal into actionable steps, like setting aside 30 minutes each day to write, activates your brain’s planning and resilience centers. This keeps you motivated even when the journey gets tough.
They Can Reinforce Passive Thinking
Vision boards are often tied to the “Law of Attraction,” which suggests that thinking positively about your goals will attract them to you. While optimism is a powerful tool, success also requires effort. Without action, those beautiful images on your board can become a reminder of what you haven’t achieved, leading to feelings of disappointment and helplessness.
Let’s say you’ve been dreaming about switching careers but haven’t taken any steps to make it happen. Every time you look at your vision board, instead of feeling inspired, you might feel frustrated. “Why hasn’t this happened yet?” The reality is that change comes not from wishing but from intentional, consistent effort.
If vision boards aren’t effective, what’s the alternative? Research and neuroscience point to strategies that focus on effort, planning, and reflection. These methods engage the brain’s reward and planning systems, keeping you motivated and on track. Learn more in the next blog.
You’re Not Alone in This Journey
If you’ve been feeling stuck or frustrated because your dreams seem out of reach, know that it’s not your fault. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you don’t know where to start or how to move forward. The good news? You don’t have to figure it all out on your own.
As a therapist, I’ve helped many clients identify what’s holding them back, create actionable plans, and build the confidence to pursue their goals. Whether you’re navigating career challenges, creative blocks, or a major life transition, I can help you bridge the gap between where you are now and where you want to be. Let’s work together to turn your vision into reality.
Ready to take the first step? Let’s talk.
Resources:
Oettingen, G., & Reininger, K. M. (2016). The power of prospection: Mental contrasting and behavior change. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 10(11), 591–604. https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12271
Clear, J. (2018). Atomic habits: An easy & proven way to build good habits & break bad ones. Avery.
