Nikki Barua - Digital Event
Sept. 10, 2024
I. Hello & Welcome
II. Nikki's Connection to Vision Boarding
· Vision boarding is one of her favorite topics
· Attributes the ability to dream big and achieve seemingly impossible goals to this practice
· Has spent years honing the practice and teaching it to others
· Hopes to inspire and help the audience achieve their dreams through vision boarding – i.e., putting practices into place to get results
III. Journey back to 1984, Childhood in India
· Growing up in India during the 1980s there was a lack of exposure to Western media due to a closed economy: Only one TV channel with limited content, No foreign magazines or goods.
· Societal expectations for girls and women: School as preparation for marriage, Stay-at-home moms are the norm.
· Grew up with a lack of inspiring role models within her immediate circle, “If you can’t see it you can’t be it.”
IV. Making an Impact – The Gift of her First Vision Board
· When she was 10 yrs old Nikki’s father created a collage on the inside of her closet door out of photos of inspiring women, Margaret Thatcher, Amelia Earhart, Indira Ghandi, etc. In the center, he sketched a photo of her face with her name. He never said a word about it. I was 10 years old and fascinated by these people, I saw myself in the center of them and created a sense that I belonged with them over time
· Over time Nikki reshaped her thinking around what her purpose really means and realized a few key things:
o 1 – Life is about service and contribution and impact
o 2 – When you are driven by purpose you think “big” so you will have a big impact
o 3 – Seeing is believing, and seeing something over and over again over time makes it believable and “feel” true
· To this day when Nikki encounter’s a situation where she questions if she can do something she goes back to this mental image from childhood
V. The Power of Vision
· Anything is possible if you are driven by reason
o Nikki harnessed this mentality when she came to America in 1997
o One of her biggest motivators was to escape arranged marriage
· Destiny is shaped at turning points, i.e. absolute decision-making moments in life, not after certain decisions have been made
As an immigrant Nikki felt like an outsider so she began to focus on what she saw as a formula for success, i.e. fitting in to be like everyone else – but she lost herself in the process and became disconnected from her own vision of herself.
VI. Hitting Rock Bottom and Self-Discovery
Nikki experienced a tragic event and hit rock bottom, which led to engaged introspection and brutal honesty
She realized she was living a fake life and had lost sight of her true purpose
Her childhood collage/vision board served as a reminder of her original aspirations
VII. Making Your “Mess” Your Message
Nikki discovered that sharing her struggles with others could turn them into a source of inspiration
It is a key understanding that challenges offer opportunities for growth and transformation
Life is a series of challenges and adventures, and overcoming challenges leads to personal growth and reaching higher levels
To do this you must continually improve your skills, attitudes and resources.
VIII. Agency and Challenges
We all have the agency to choose our path and pace in life.
Challenges and levels are inevitable.
Viewing challenges as opportunities for growth and adventure leads to leveling up.
IX. The Secret to Vision
Know Your Why: Understand your driving force and what truly matters to you.
Dream Big: Don't be afraid to have ambitious goals.
Embrace Brutal Honesty: Be honest with yourself about your desires and purpose.
X. First Steps of Vision Boarding:
Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.
Focus on personal development rather than wishing for easier circumstances.
Transformation requires clarity of purpose and a willingness to change.
Knowing your "why" is essential for achieving your vision.
XI. The Process of Vision Boarding - Achieving Goals
Research shows a low success rate in achieving goals
Lack of success often attributed to lack of commitment or motivation
True cause may be lack of proper habits and strategies
Understanding one's purpose is crucial for success
Constant self-questioning: "Am I operating in alignment with my vision?"
Mental model to stay on track amidst distractions
XII. The Six “F” Framework
Use these as a guide for self-discovery and goal setting
Six Fs:
Family and friends
Fitness
Fortune (wealth and abundance)
Freedom (time, space, flexibility)
Fun (joy, play, flow)
Fame (reputation, expertise)
Use a Self-assessment on a scale of 1 to 10 for each F
Use the 6 F assessment to:
Identify and understand your driving force
Define your core values that support your purpose
Continuously check-in to make sure your actions align with your vision, i.e. accountability along the way
