Create a 2026 Vision That Actually Works: Intention-Setting for Ambitious Stylists

Another year is knocking on our door, and if you're anything like me, you're feeling that familiar pull to dream bigger while also wondering if you'll actually follow through this time.

Here's what I've learned after years of setting intentions that fizzled by February: vision boards and goal-setting work, but only when we approach them differently than the Instagram-perfect versions we're used to seeing.

Start With Your Why (Not Your What)

Before you grab the magazines and glue stick, get quiet for a moment. What do you actually want to feel in 2026? Successful? Grounded? Creative? Free?

Your vision board should reflect the energy you want to embody, not just the stuff you want to acquire. Yes, include the dream salon space or the sold-out workshop, but anchor everything to a feeling state first.

Make It Specific AND Flexible

I know that sounds contradictory, but hear me out. Instead of "grow my Instagram," try "connect with 50 new stylists who resonate with my work." Instead of "make more money," get clear: "book out three months in advance at my new rates."

But leave room for the universe to surprise you. Sometimes the path to our dreams looks nothing like we imagined.

Three Categories That Changed Everything for Me

When I create my vision board now, I organize it into three sections:

Business Growth - What do I want to build, learn, or master professionally?

Personal Wellbeing - How do I want to feel in my body, relationships, and daily life?

Impact & Legacy - What kind of difference do I want to make for my clients, students, or community?

This keeps me from creating a board that's all hustle and no heart.

The Part Nobody Talks About

Your vision board isn't magic. It's a daily reminder system. Put it where you'll actually see it - not tucked in a drawer or hidden in your camera roll.

I keep mine in my salon space where I see it between clients. Every time I look at it, I ask myself: "What's one small action I can take today that aligns with this vision?"

That's where the real magic happens. In the daily choices, not the pretty pictures.

A Few Practical Tips

Go beyond magazine cutouts - print out screenshots of inspiring DMs, testimonials, or your own work you're proud of. Include words that light you up. Add textures, fabrics, or paint swatches if you're creating a physical board.

If digital works better for your life, create a vision board as your phone wallpaper on Canva or a private Pinterest board you check weekly.

And here's the thing that took me years to learn: you can have multiple vision boards. One for your five-year dream, one for 2026 specifically, one just for your business. Give yourself permission to explore different futures.

Your Intention Matters More Than Perfection

You don't need the perfect images or the most artistic layout. You need clarity, honesty, and a willingness to check in with yourself regularly.

So as we step into 2026, I'm curious: What's the one feeling you most want to cultivate in the year ahead? Start there, and let everything else flow from that truth.

Here's to a year of aligned action and dreams that feel as good to build as they do to achieve!

XO Jen