Intentions and Action Boards

Action Your Intentions

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the sheer number of goals or dreams you want to achieve? If so, an action board might be a useful tool. Often referred to as vision boards, action boards offer a powerful way to clarify your intentions and focus your energy on achieving them. Backed by neuroscience and popularised by experts like Dr. Tara Swart, action boards are more than just collages—they are visual blueprints for success.

What Are Action Boards?

Action boards are visual representations of your goals, values, and intentions. They typically involve images that resonate with what you want to achieve in life. Unlike traditional goal-setting methods, action boards engage your subconscious mind, making your intentions more tangible and emotionally compelling. As Dr. Tara Swart, a neuroscientist and leadership coach, explains in her book The Source, visualising your goals activates the brain’s reward system and enhances motivation.

The Neuroscience Behind Action Boards

Dr. Swart emphasises that the brain is highly responsive to visual cues. When you create an action board, you’re essentially programming your Reticular Activating System (RAS), the part of your brain that filters information and helps you notice opportunities that align with your goals. By consistently looking at your action board, you train your brain to focus on what truly matters, filtering out distractions and increasing your chances of success.

How to Create an Effective Action Board

1. Clarify Your Intentions: Start by reflecting on what you really want to achieve. If you want to travel, ask yourself why you want to travel - what would you get out of it, how would it make you feel, what are you trying to achieve. Be specific about your intentions, whether they relate to your career, health, relationships or personal growth. Wanting to see if you can successfully travel alone is very different to researching regional food for a project, (they aren’t mutually exclusive, but they are two separate things and on your action board would probably have two different images.)
2. Gather Visuals: Collect images, quotes, and symbols that align with your intentions. These could come from magazines, online resources, or personal photos.
3. Organize Thoughtfully: Arrange your visuals in a way that feels intuitive and inspiring. You might group similar goals together or create sections for short-term and long-term aspirations. You might paste them to a sheet of paper or hand them on a peg line.
4. Place It Strategically: Display your action board in a space where you’ll see it regularly, such as your workspace or bedroom. The key is to keep your goals front and centre in your mind.

Incorporating Action Boards Into Your Routine

The true power of an action board lies in its consistent use. Here are some tips for integrating it into your daily life:

• Visualisation Practice: Spend a few minutes each day visualising yourself achieving the goals on your board. Imagine the emotions, actions, and outcomes in vivid detail.
• Set Micro-Actions: Use your action board as a guide to identify small, actionable steps you can take toward your goals. For example, if your board includes a picture of a fit and healthy person, your micro-action might be a 10-minute workout.
• Reflect and Adjust: Revisit your action board regularly to assess your progress. Replace outdated images or add new ones as your goals evolve.
• Brain Train: Instead of scrolling before you go to bed, spend a few minutes looking at your action board and dreaming about all those things you’re going to do and achieve! Your brain processes whilst you sleep so it makes sense that feeding it positive images before you drift off is healthier that filling your mind with world issues and everyone else’s successes and failures.

If you like the idea of using an action board you are welcome to join us on Wednesday 29 January at our group Pod session when we’ll be discussing them in more detail. It’s a free session but you need to book.

Alternatively, you could book onto one of Helen’s 30-minute intention sessions where you can discuss your business and wellbeing goals for 2025. Helen will spend some time helping you to create personalised SMART objectives (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound). There will then be the opportunity to add a little accountability to your practice by booking short quarterly follow up sessions. You can book accountability sessions here.