When Cherry Blooms founder Jellaine Ross followed her instincts and left a job in corporate marketing for the beauty industry, she had no idea that thanks to vision boards she would meet Oprah and turn her company into an international, multi-million dollar success.
We chatted to Jellaine, who credits the success of her beauty business to her vision boards, on why visualising our success is so important.
RESCU: Why is physically seeing our ambitions so important to our success?
Jellaine Ross: Vision boards are like a life-design visual blueprint on what you want. It helps give you clarity and stay focused on what you actually want in life. The images are a reminder that cultivates the self-belief that we can do it and propels us forward to have the attitude and mindset to take the steps required to be successful. If it makes us feel good looking at the vision board, that’s what gets us motivated and constantly thinking about it. What you think about most you get.
RESCU: What areas of the home or office do recommend vision boards be placed?
Jellaine Ross: Where you spend the most time like your office, dressing table where you get ready in the morning or even in the shower behind the glass, as you will no doubt be looking at it every day when you are feeling relaxed. I have them in all three areas. I also have a digital photo frame with all thousands of photos throughout the years to remind me of all the great things I have experienced and created for myself, which make me grateful and uplifts me every time I see it. When you are grateful, you allow yourself to receive more of what you want. I really believe in the Law Of Attraction.
Does size matter when it comes to vision boards?
Jellaine Ross: The bigger the better! I typically use large corkboards as I can never fit all that I want on a small board and I always have more than one around my house.
RESCU: Everyone is different, but sort of pins worked best for you?
Jellaine Ross: Images of people who have the moment I want to create for myself. Like a mother and daughter in front of the Eiffel tower – that’s something I want to create for myself one day when my daughter is a little but older.
RESCU: Does a digital vision board differ from a tangible one?
Jellaine Ross: I think a physical vision board is more powerful as its always there, digital ones are good for collecting ideas and images that you can print and stick on the physical vision board. You’re more likely going to view the images on a physical vision board then on your computer.
RESCU: Is there a certain time of day you suggest taking time out to create a vision board?
Jellaine Ross: Whenever you are most relaxed and what I call “in flow”. For me it’s late at night when everyone’s asleep and I catch up on my ‘me-time’. I also suggest on a laid-back Sunday afternoon.
You have to be able to feel the emotions when finding, cutting and sticking the images on the board otherwise its power doesn’t manifest as quickly. When you feel real joy and get goose-bumps, that’s where the real power lies as its signalled something in you to attain it. Unconsciously your mind will start finding how to have it for real. You will start noticing coincidences about that particular image, maybe an opportunity or a person you meet will help bring it about. That’s when you know you’re on the right track and after a while you just expect it to happen and it won’t seem as spooky when it does.
RESCU: If we happen to get distracted – what’s your top tip for keeping up our pinning momentum?
Jellaine Ross: Re-assess if those images you pinned still inspire you, if not change them around so it re-ignites your motivation to make them happen. Go through the latest magazines you read and start re-designing.
Jellaine’s Top 10 Tips to get started on your Vision Board:
- Firstly, write down your theme for the vision board. Base your board on the life you want to create.
- Pick up a board from Officeworks, Kmart or KikkiK (pictured) and get prepared with pins, tape and glue. Alternatively you can simply use a sheet of cardboard or a get creative with a canvas.
- Don’t be afraid to create more than one vision board depending on your goals and interests.
- Make sure that you’re in a good mindset before you start, that you feel creative and give yourself time – don’t rush it.
- Collect inspiring imagery, quotes, fabrics, maps, materials and other items which you are grateful for. If you can’t find a particular image in a magazine, use Google or Pinterest.
- Reassess your vision boards at the beginning of each year. Use the holidays as the perfect time to reflect and review what you want to experience in the coming year.
- Don’t be afraid to place your vision boards around your home or office, such as the kitchen, bathroom, above a dressing table. If you can’t see them it’s hard to be inspired. I even have one in my bathroom!
- Work with your partner or children to create a board reflecting the things you want to achieve as a family or couple. It’s a great bonding experience and a chance to align your values.
- Remember, vision boards are a work in progress. Throughout the year, if an image resonates with you add it to the vision board. If something no longer does, remove it and pin an image that does inspire you at that moment.
- Set intentions with a vision board even if you don’t know how you will accomplish it.
