Creating Success Through Success Collages

Success collages are based on the law of attraction. The main principle behind the law is that we create our lives through what we focus on, consciously and unconsciously. This concept is not new. However, this idea gained much attention in 2006 because of the firm, The Secret., which stressed that what manifests in our lives is a direct result of our thoughts and feelings.

Success collages are also known as treasure maps, life maps and dream boards. Regardless of the name, it is a collection of pictures, slogans and words which represent what you want to see happen in your future. What would make you feel successful? It could be one year, five years or ten years from now. I think of a success collage as a visual representation of my goals and dreams. There are several different types. The most common forms being: 1) boards, 2) books, and 3) note cards.

The one I am most familiar with is the success board. On a large flat surface like cardboard, poster board or canvas board, you paste pictures of what you want to achieve. Let’s suppose, you want to have a prosperous career as a well-known writer. Your board could have pictures of people reading books, lots of money, a fancy sports car, a beautiful house by a lake, a person writing while drinking a cup of coffee or at a desk. You could include pictures of a person at a computer typing. You may want to include slogans saying “Write Your Way To Success” and “Write Now - Your Future Depends On It”. You would want to include pictures of yourself and some of your favorite words, such as Dream, Dare, Achieve as well as your favorite quotes. If you have a business card for your writing business you can include that as well as a mock-up cover of your book.

Once your board is completed, you want to hang it in a place where you will see it several times each day (like your office, bedroom or exercise room). Some people prefer to place their boards in a private place where others cannot easily see it. They do not want people asking them questions and then giving their not-so-positive comments, like “Why would you want to do that?”" or “You don’t have enough money (or experience) to pursue that goal," or any other disparaging comments. If you would find such questions or remarks discouraging, you should find a secluded place for your board. Wherever you choose, you need to look at it regularly so you can be focused on what you want to accomplish.

I can attest that success collages can manifest what you want in your life. I created my first one about seven years ago when I decided to be a motivational speaker and trainer. In my collage of pictures, slogans and words, I pasted photos of Les Brown and Jewel Diamond Taylor. They are my favorite motivational speakers. I hold them in very high regard. At the time, I did not know either of them personally. Three years later I recorded a CD with Les Brown. On it we are exchanging interesting stories and insights about the principles I use in one of my programs, The Success Formula. Also I have shared the platform with him on several occasions and am part of a speakers network he formed.

Five years ago, Jewel Diamond Taylor was the speaker for a women’s group I co-founded with a friend and business colleague. The meeting was held in my home. Ms. Taylor was in my living room talking and motivating about 40 women and immediately above her was my office where my success collage (with her photo) was hanging on the wall. So I know that success collages work. I encourage you to do one and see for yourself.

It is important to understand that just looking at your board alone is not enough. You must do the work required to make your dream a reality. The success board is to keep you focused and help you attract the situations you want as you work diligently on your goals. Some of the actions you will want to take are outlined in two books I co-authored with other speakers and trainers. One is the “The Power of Motivation” and the other is "303 Solutions For Reaching Your Goals & Living Your Dreams". To order copies, click here.

For the past eight years, every January I have either been involved in planning or actually hosting a success collage creation event for friends and colleagues. Each year the attendance grows. The first year there were about 15 women, the following year about 20 and this past January (2008) I had over 40 women in my home creating their collages. It is a great way to bring people together to talk about and focus on their dreams in a creative way. Consider having one. If you want details on how to plan and host such an event, please email me at Donna@JustGetSerious.com

I wish you the best of success in all your endeavors.

Donna Satchell, President of STARR Consulting & Training is a speaker, trainer and author. She provides programs in customer service, team-building, time management, public speaking as well as motivational speeches which inspire individuals to live more successful lives. Please visit www.JustGetSerious.com for information about products and services as well as to view videos of Donna’s speeches. Contact her at 770-498-0400 or Donna@JustGetSerious.com.

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