How to Create an Imaginary Board of Directors

While I may not technically be on a first-name basis with Janelle Monáe or Dolly Parton, I feel like I know them well enough to imagine the advice they would give me if I could text them in a moment of panic.

Sometimes that perspective is all you need.

Your Imaginary Board of Advisors

Janelle and Dolly are both valued members of my Imaginary Board of Directors. It’s a list of folks I admire and can turn to for some made-up guidance whenever I need it.

You can design your own Imaginary Board of Directors as a creative way to solve problems and overcome challenges. The process is easy enough:

Brainstorm a few artists, business owners, podcasters, authors, historical figures, or fictional characters that inspire you.
You could write these names on a Post-it note, tack them up on your office wall, and call it a day. (In fact, this is a prompt in our Self-Care Master Plan!) But, being the visual person that I am, I think there's something powerful about creating and displaying photos of your Imaginary Board of Directors. That way, it's like they're with you during every boring Zoom call!
After you come up with your list, take a moment to reflect on what values these folks represent. How do you want to incorporate their mindsets into your life?

My board represents values I want to live daily—generosity, ambition, and creativity.

My Imaginary Board of Directors (clockwise starting at the top): Mary Oliver, Jeni Britton Bauer, Janelle Monáe, Lynda Barry, Fred Rogers, Dolly Parton, and Michelle Obama.

Imaginary Board of Directors - Free Period Press