Swap Your Vision Board for a Values Board with this Step-by-Step Guide
It is not what we get. But who we become, what we contribute… that gives meaning to our lives.
-Tony Robbins
It’s the start of a New Year.
You need a major reset moment.
You’re trying to make a difficult decision.
You’re feeling overwhelmed and disoriented.
You urgently need to reconnect with what matters most…
What tool or resource will bring clarity and renewal?
Visualize Success with a Vision Board
If you’re in a season of life where your momentum feels thwarted or you just want to get yourself centered and motivated, one creative tool to explore might be a vision board.
A vision board is a visual representation of your goals, dreams, and aspirations, typically created by collecting images, quotes, and symbols that represent what you want to achieve in life. The process of making a physical vision board involves cutting out pictures from magazines or printing images from the internet, and then gluing them onto a board or poster (or any other number of creative techniques).
If you are not a crafty kind of person, you might prefer a digital one instead. In either case, the idea is to create a visual reminder of your desires and dreams, with the hope that seeing them regularly will inspire action and bring those goals into reality. It’s a creative, motivational tool designed to help you stay focused on your long-term vision.
If you’re in the mood to try this out, here are some particularly inspiring tutorials (please note, special software may be required):
Embrace Authenticity with a Values Board
While vision boards can be incredibly motivating, not everyone may find them inspiring. The process of creating a vision board may for some feel like a pressure-filled task where you feel obligated to choose "perfect" or idealized goals. This perfectionism can make the process overwhelming or discouraging, rather than inspiring. It may also lead to a sense of failure if the envisioned goals aren’t achieved — or if the board doesn't reflect a realistic path to success.
Although they can help to increase motivation for your goal-setting, vision boards often focus on the "what" (what you want to achieve), but not the "why" (why those things matter). If you don’t have a clear idea of why you want something, you may find it difficult to stay committed to a successful pursuit of your dreams and goals. If you lack a deeper connection to your core purpose and values, your goals can feel empty or fleeting — which may lead to a lack of lasting motivation and a struggle to maintain momentum.
If you're someone who feels disconnected from the traditional vision board as a motivational tool, let me propose an alternative: a values board.
A values board is a tool that focuses on visualizing your core principles and beliefs. It serves as a visual representation of the values you’ve identified—images, words, symbols, or quotes that remind you of the core concepts that matter the most. Instead of simply visualizing external goals as you do with a vision board, it helps you stay grounded and intentional in your daily life, providing a clear framework for decision-making and giving you a visual reminder to align your actions with your deepest beliefs. It’s an inspiring tool for those who want to create meaningful growth from the inside out.
In this post, I will explore why a values board can help you live with more intention, as well as give you a simple process for creating your own values board.
The Profound Power of Clarifying Your Values
For a long time, I dismissed values work as just fluff—unnecessary, particularly compared to the urgency of chasing goals and checking off my to-do list. But the deeper I got into that daily hustle, the more I realized something was missing. When it came time to make big or complex decisions, I felt stuck.
My values were in conflict, but I did not have effective tools to figure out why or how to move forward.
Maybe you have experienced something similar? Life has a way of pulling us in a million different directions, and even when you want to live in alignment with what matters most, it’s not always easy. It’s a daily commitment, and some days, it feels like a real challenge. But knowing (and visualizing) your values makes that process a little clearer—and a little easier.
Understanding your values empowers you to:
✔️Make decisions with more clarity and less confusion
✔️Say "no" with more confidence, making it easier to say "yes" to what truly matters
✔️Strategically protect your time and energy
✔️Create more consistency in your life, reducing inner conflict and stress
✔️Design a life that feels more authentic and fulfilling
✔️Build stronger relationships that are based on clear principles
Although there are many benefits, living in line with your values doesn’t just happen on its own. It’s a practice. Some days, you’ll succeed. Other days, you’ll slip up. But when your values are clear and visible, you’ll get back on track more easily.
A values board is a visual guide, continuously aligning your actions with what you care about most. When you’re faced with hard decisions or complex situations, this visual cue gives you a way to stay connected to your core beliefs on the tough days, and helps you make choices that are more aligned with who you really want to be.
How to Identify Your Values
You may already have a good handle on your core values. If you don’t yet, take heart — clarifying your values doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Here’s a simple step-by-step process to help you get clear on what truly matters:
1. Reflect on Key Life Moments
Think back to times in your life when you felt proud, accomplished, or deeply fulfilled.
What were the common threads in those moments?
Was it your honesty, creativity, or maybe your courage that made you feel aligned with your true self?
Digging into these moments can reveal the values you were living by, even if you didn’t consciously realize it at the time. Notice how these moments made you feel—those emotional responses are key indicators of what you truly value.
2. Examine Role Models
Think about people you look up to, whether they’re mentors, public figures, or people close to you.
Who do you admire most, and why?
What traits do they possess that resonate deeply with you?
Maybe it's their resilience, compassion, or commitment to justice.
Often, the qualities we admire in others reflect values we hold or wish to embody in our own lives. What do you admire in others, and how can you cultivate those values within yourself?
3. Look for Patterns
Take a step back and review past decisions, challenges, and turning points in your life.
What were the things that mattered most to you in those situations?
Was it fairness, freedom, or perhaps growth and self-improvement?
Look for recurring themes in how you’ve acted or what you’ve fought for over the years. The situations where you felt most connected to your actions are often a direct reflection of your core values.
4. Use a Values Inventory
Sometimes it helps to get a little more structured. Consider using a values inventory—a list of common values that you can work through to identify what resonates most with you. Start by selecting a broader list, around 15-20 core values that feel important and true to who you are. Then, take the time to reflect on each one—
Why does this value matter to you?
How does it show up in your life?
It’s best to narrow down to a list of 5-10 top values so you’re selecting the principles that you really want to prioritize and not trying to capture it all.
5. Write out Values Statements
After you have your list of top 5+ values, write a short statement to express what each value means to you.
Once you’ve identified your values, it’s time to bring them to life through a Values Board.
How to Create Your Own Values Board
Creating a values board is a fun and meaningful way to clarify what matters most to you. Whether you prefer something hands-on, artistic, or digital, there are plenty of ways to make a visual reminder that keeps you aligned with your core beliefs.
How to Create a Physical Values Board
A physical values board can be a great option if you prefer to work with your hands and don’t want to involve technology in the process.
Here are some different options to explore:
1. Handwritten Mind Map
If you enjoy brainstorming and connecting ideas, try creating a mind map. Start with your main value in the center, then branch out with related values, qualities, or images that resonate with you. Use colored pens, doodles, or symbols to make it personal and engaging. This hands-on method is a great way to reflect on your values creatively and visually.
See these mindmapping tips from Mural.co.
2. Artistic Collage with Photos and Quotes
If you’re visually inclined, consider creating a physical values board by collecting images, quotes, and photos that represent your core beliefs. You can gather materials from old magazines, printed images, or personal photos that hold meaning for you. Arrange them into a collage on a poster, corkboard, or canvas, creating a vibrant, artistic piece that reflects your values. It’s a fun, tactile way to connect with your values in a visual, creative way.
Explore this step-by-step tutorial from The Indigo Project.
3. Letter Board Display
For a minimalist yet impactful option, use a letter board to display your values. The beauty of a letter board is its simplicity and elegance, allowing you to spell out key words or quotes that reflect your beliefs. It’s easy to update and can be displayed anywhere in your home or workspace as a constant reminder of what matters most to you.
Check out these creative Etsy letter boards or these Amazon best selling letter boards.
4. Whiteboard or Bulletin Board Values Board
If you like the flexibility of frequent changes — or if you’re displaying team values in an office environment — a whiteboard or bulletin board can serve as excellent tools. A white board offers a clean, clutter-free space to write out your values, while a bulletin board provides a space to post relevant photos, quotes, and printed materials that correspond to your values. For either option, you can update as your values evolve, making it a dynamic, interactive way to keep your focus sharp. If you opt for the whiteboard, you can use it as a space to continually revise your values-based goals or tasks. If you choose the bulletin board option, you can continually post visual reminders of your values-based achievements and milestones.
Explore these best office whiteboards or these highly recommended bulletin boards.
5. Definition Poster Printable Gallery Wall
If you prefer a clean, modern aesthetic and want to create a more structured display of your values, consider designing or purchasing a series of definition prints, and printing and arranging them to serve as a gallery wall in your home or office. This approach involves selecting your top 3-8 core values and crafting a custom print for each, featuring a simple definition, quote, or personal reflection that encapsulates the essence of each value. You can use design tools like Canva or Adobe Spark to create minimalistic definition posters, and then print them out for a gallery wall in your home or office. Arrange the posters in a gallery-style layout.
Find tips for creating a gallery wall here and here.
Find printable definition posters here and here.
Test out this definition poster generator here or learn how to create a DIY definition poster here.
How to Create a Digital Values Board
If you prefer to integrate technology into your creation, there are many options for designing a digital values board. Learn about the various digital formats you can use for your values board:
1. Pinterest Values Board: Create a resourceful values board through pinning a collection of pins related to your values. Include pin images, quotes, tips, and articles that relate each value. You can easily rearrange them for different groupings or categories.
See my examples here on Pinterest:
2. Digital Mind Map: A mind map allows you to visually organize your core values in a branching structure, helping you see connections between different values. Learn more about mindmapping from Mural.co.
Miro Mind Map: Start with a central value in the middle of the screen (e.g., "Integrity") and branch out with related values (e.g., "Honesty," "Accountability").
Canva: Use Canva’s free mind map templates to create a custom design, adding icons, colors, and text to represent each value and its connection to others.
Canva Templates: With a free Canva account, you can customize mind map templates like this one or this one.
3. Values Word Cloud: A word cloud is a visually striking way to represent your core values by varying the size of each word based on its importance. To create one, simply list the values that matter most to you, input them into a word cloud generator, and customize the design with colors, fonts, and layouts that reflect your personal style. The most important values can be made larger, while secondary ones are smaller, creating a visually dynamic display. You can then download the word cloud and use it as a digital background, print it out, or display it on your personal devices. For a quick tutorial, check out All you need to know about word cloud: A Complete Guide.
You can use various software for to create your Values Word Cloud:
WordArt (a popular pick)
4. Values Organizer in Notion or Trello: Trello is a visual project management tool that uses boards, lists, and cards to organize tasks and track progress, while Notion is an all-in-one workspace that combines note-taking, databases, and task management, offering highly customizable organization.
To create a digital values board using Notion or Trello, start by creating a new board or page dedicated to your values. In Notion, use text blocks, images, and even databases to create a visually engaging layout where each value is represented as a separate section, page, or card. You can add descriptions, relevant links, and personal reflections for each value.
In Trello, create separate cards for each of your values. Each card can include text, images, and links, and you can organize them into lists (e.g., "Core Values," "Supporting Values"). Both tools allow you to update and rearrange your values as they evolve, providing an interactive, easily accessible way to track and reflect on your personal growth.
Learn more about the features of each here:
5. Digital / Printable Poster with Canva, Adobe Spark, or Slides: If you prefer a versatile approach with the opportunity to design a printable, a digital values poster is a great option.
If you use Canva or Adobe Spark, begin by selecting a template to work with or start from scratch choosing a size that works for you. Place each of your core values in a prominent spot, using clear, large fonts and incorporating simple icons or images that visually represent each value. Play with color schemes that reflect the essence of each value for added emphasis. In Google Slides, you can create a single slide in a large format and arrange your values creatively with text and design elements like lines, shapes, or icons to give it a clean, professional look. This design method allows your values to stand out, making them easy to reference at a glance.
To create a digital values board with a slide deck (PowerPoint or Google Slides), start by choosing a template or blank slide. For each of your core values, create a new slide and include a title for the value, a brief description or definition, and any relevant images, quotes, or symbols that represent that value. You can customize the design with color schemes, fonts, and layouts to reflect the mood or theme of your values. For added interactivity, consider adding animations or transitions between slides. You can also insert hyperlinks to related resources, articles, or videos that deepen your understanding of each value. Once your slide deck is complete, you can use it as a dynamic digital tool, displaying it on your devices or sharing it with others.
Check out these free pre-designed Canva templates that you can customize (you do need a free Canva account to access):
Vision Board Poster (can easily convert to a Values Board)
Vision Photo Board (can easily convert to a Values Board)
Whether you create a crafty, tactile values board or a creative digital version, let this values board serve as invitation to live with intention, to reflect more deeply on what truly matters, and to make meaningful choices that create greater fulfillment in your life and work.
Tools to Explore Your Core Values
If you love the idea of a values board, but want to simplify the process, check out one of my Core Values digital downloads from The Coaching Design Co. (the creative extension of The Leadership Coaching Lab). Or — sign up for my newsletter and get a free Core Values Discovery workbook to kickstart the process.
