The Neuropsychology of Vision Boards
By Reina Lombardi
A vision board is a powerful tool for creatively connecting you with your goals. It offers a visual way of communicating goals and dreams.
Dr. Tara Swart, a neuroscientist, psychiatrist, and executive coach, has brought a scientific lens to understanding how vision boards use our brain to achieve goals. In her book, The Source, she shares how the brain’s neuroplasticity, reward systems, and attentional networks become activated through this process.
One of the key neuropsychological principles behind vision boards is neuroplasticity. Simply put, it is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. When you visualize your goals—whether personal or professional—the brain engages the same neural circuits as it would if you were physically performing the action.
This is where vision boards come in. They allow you to consistently expose your mind to images and words that represent your aspirations, effectively “rewiring” your brain to associate these goals with your future reality.
Dr. Tara Swart emphasizes the importance of visualization in her work. She explains that the brain does not distinguish very well between real and imagined experiences, which means that repeatedly visualizing success can prime the brain to feel more confident and capable of achieving those outcomes. This process not only fosters motivation but also helps reduce self-doubt. The more you mentally rehearse your goals, the stronger the neural pathways associated with those behaviors become, which can significantly influence your actions and decisions.
Another key brain structure involved in the process of goal setting and visualization is the reticular activating system (RAS). It is a bundle of nerves at the brainstem responsible for filtering incoming information. The RAS acts like a gatekeeper, allowing relevant information to reach your conscious mind while filtering out what it deems unnecessary. By focusing on specific goals—represented visually on a vision board—you effectively train your RAS to prioritize opportunities and information that align with those goals.
For example, if your vision board contains images of professional success or symbols of financial abundance, your brain becomes primed to notice opportunities, conversations, or environments that may lead to career advancement or wealth-building activities. This is a cognitive bias known as the “Baader-Meinhof phenomenon” or “frequency illusion,” where things you’ve been thinking about seem to appear more frequently. The reality is, they’ve always been there, but your RAS is now filtering them into your awareness.
Another neuropsychological principle linked to vision boards involves the dopamine reward system. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure, motivation, and reward. When you set a goal, your brain starts to release dopamine as you progress toward achieving it. Vision boards help activate this system by providing a constant visual reminder of your goals, keeping the brain engaged and motivated to work toward them. Swart notes that this anticipation of reward is crucial for sustaining long-term motivation.
The images and words on your vision board create a feedback loop: each time you visualize a positive outcome, your brain experiences a small release of dopamine, reinforcing your desire to take action toward the goal. Over time, this consistent exposure to goal-related stimuli enhances motivation and decreases procrastination.
Swart highlights the importance of emotional resilience and a growth mindset in achieving goals. A vision board can provide emotional support during moments of doubt or setbacks by serving as a reminder of what you’re working toward. When you visually reconnect with your purpose, it helps to shift your mindset back to one of possibility and perseverance. Neuropsychologically, this taps into the brain’s ability to regulate emotions, using visualization as a tool to recover from stress or failure.
Research in neuroplasticity, the RAS, the dopamine reward system, and emotional resilience supports the neuropsychological principles behind vision boards. Dr. Tara Swart’s work emphasizes that consistent visualization and intentional focus can reshape the brain to prioritize opportunities, enhance motivation, and reduce stress. By creating and engaging with a vision board, you’re training your brain to achieve the future you desire.
Join us on December 7th as we guide you through the process and provide you with everything you will need to create a Vision Board for Your Best 2025. Call or text (239) 297-7099 to RSVP.