Vision Boards are Great, But Have You Tried an Action Board?

We’ve all heard of vision boards—those collages of big goals, dreams, and the “why” that fuels them. They’re inspiring and important, no doubt. I love both the process and the product of making mine every year. But if you’re anything like me, you’ve also wondered, what’s the next step? How do I turn these dreams into something actionable, measurable, and, let’s be honest, doable?

Enter the action board, a tool that doesn’t just motivate you—it keeps you committed and accountable.

What Is an Action Board?

In her book The Source, Dr. Tara Swart introduced me to the concept of an action board, and let me tell you, it’s been a game-changer. While a vision board gives you a big-picture reminder of where you want to go, an action board is the GPS that maps out the daily steps to get there.

Think of it as the how to your why.

An action board lists the smaller, consistent actions you need to take to move closer to your goals. It’s less about dreaming and more about doing. And here’s where the magic happens: neuroscientifically speaking, this simple shift from vision to action can rewire your brain to help you stay focused, motivated, and disciplined.

The Neuroscience of Action Boards (Yes, Science is Involved, You Woo-woo Skeptics!)

1. Neuroplasticity: Building Better Habits Repetition strengthens the neural pathways in your brain that reinforce specific actions. By reviewing your action board daily, you’re essentially telling your brain, “Hey, this is important.” Over time, these pathways become stronger, and the actions feel more automatic and natural.

2. Dopamine: Your Brain’s Reward System Crossing off an action on your board delivers a hit of dopamine—the feel-good chemical. This creates a positive feedback loop that makes completing tasks more satisfying and encourages you to keep going.

3. The Reticular Activating System (RAS): Keeping You Focused Your brain’s RAS is like a filter that decides what gets your attention. When you consistently look at your action board, you prime your RAS to notice opportunities and solutions that align with your goals. It’s why, once you set your mind on something, it seems like the universe conspires to make it happen (spoiler: it’s your brain doing the work).

   
   

Adding “Signs of Success” to the Mix

Now, let’s spice things up with top performance coach Brian Cain’s Signs of Success strategy, which I learned about in his Mental Performance Mastery course. Cain’s approach is all about using visual triggers—think sticky notes, habit trackers, or motivational quotes—to keep you focused and celebrate progress.

Here’s the beauty of combining the two: an action board gives you a bird’s-eye view of your journey, while signs of success provide those on-the-ground reminders to keep going. Together, they create a system that reinforces habits, tracks wins, and keeps you locked in on your goals.

How I Use Both

Let me give you a real-world example. In the middle of 2024, I reprioritized my health, and set a goal to increase my average VO2 max (a measure of cardiorespiratory fitness) by at least 5 points (or more precisely by 5 mL/kg/minute) by the end of the year. My vision board had pictures of women hiking in nature and lifting heavy weights, looking strong and fit. I had quotes like “1% Better Every Day,” and "Training to flip cars, not fit jeans," and a photo of the cover of Blue Zones as a reminder that my big goal was health and longevity.

But the action board? That’s where the magic happened.

I listed my weekly step count goals, strength training days, boxing days, and rest days. I added a habit tracker to check off each completed workout and stuck a Post-it on my computer that said "I keep my promises to myself." Every morning, I’d glance at that board, and every evening, I’d cross off my progress.

By December 31st, not only had my average VO2 max increased by 5.7 mL/kg/minute (over my goal of 5), but I was able to help set the brisk pace (until the last 100 vertical feet, but we won't talk about that) in successfully summiting the tallest peak in Big Bend National Park with my friends and partner.

Why It Works

Combining an action board with signs of success is like giving your brain a cheat sheet for winning at life:

• Your prefrontal cortex stays focused on what matters.

• Your basal ganglia turns daily actions into habits.

• Your RAS helps you notice opportunities to move closer to your goals.

• Dopamine rewards keep you motivated to stay consistent.

It’s a system designed to make success inevitable, and it works whether your goals are professional, personal, or both.

Let’s Get Practical

Here’s how you can create your own action board infused with signs of success:

1. Start with Your Vision Board: Lay out your big goals and your “why.” What gets you out of bed in the morning?

2. Break It Down: Translate those goals into specific, measurable actions. What do you need to do daily, weekly, or monthly to make them happen?

3. Add Visual Cues: Incorporate habit trackers, sticky notes, or motivational quotes. Keep it dynamic—this isn’t a static piece of art; it’s a living, breathing strategy.

4. Engage Daily: Place your board where you’ll see it often. Spend a few moments reviewing it each morning to prime your brain for action, and celebrate your wins at the end of the day.

   
   

My Challenge to You

If you’re serious about achieving your goals, don’t stop at a vision board. Add an action board to your arsenal, and watch your progress skyrocket. It’s not just about dreaming—it’s about doing.

Combining Dr. Swart’s action board and Cain’s signs of success creates a powerful system rooted in neuroscience. This integrated strategy ensures you not only set ambitious goals but also stay disciplined, committed, and resilient as you work toward achieving them. By engaging your brain’s natural mechanisms for focus, habit formation, and reward, you make success not just a possibility but an inevitability.

Let’s make 2025 the year you turn your vision into reality, one action and one day at a time.

#ActionBoard #NeuroscienceInAction #PeakPerformance #MindsetMastery #TheLegalAthlete

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Listen now to 🎧 The Legal Athlete Podcast: “Build Your 2025 Game Plan: The Art (and Craft) of Success” on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube. -------------------------------

I'm Jess Sargus. With 22+ years in law, business, and high-performance sports, I’ve battled, grown, and thrived in high-stakes environments, and mastered strategies for achieving peak performance just like champion athletes. Now, I bring those insights to help trial lawyers like you take your practice to the next level when it matters most, and feel great doing it. I help you become a Legal Athlete.

If you're ready for some extra clarity, support, and accountability to master your mindset and execute under pressure, or if you need a high-performance speaker for your group to inspire and energize your audience with high-impact, actionable tips they can start using immediately, DM me today on LinkedIn or grab a slot on my calendar to set up a free exploratory call to get started!