A Mind Movie is a short, personal video vision board that combines images of your goals, positive present-tense affirmations and uplifting music into a moving picture of the life you want. Created by Natalie Ledwell and the Mind Movies company, it is designed to be watched for about three minutes in the morning and evening to help you visualise your goals and focus your mind on them every day.
Last updated: 30 October 2026
Reading time: about 15 minutes
How we wrote this guide: this guide was written by Saj Ali. Every research claim below links to the original study, its DOI or an official record.
Quick answer: what are Mind Movies?
- A Mind Movie is a video vision board. It “combines powerful images, positive affirmations and uplifting music into a 3-minute moving picture of your goals” (Mind Movies Matrix).
- You watch it twice a day. Mind Movies recommends watching for three minutes every morning and three minutes every evening (Mind Movies press release, 2012).
- It was founded by Natalie Ledwell. Natalie Ledwell set out to merge the law of attraction with modern technology in one simple method (Mind Movies, About).
- It is used around the world. The company reports 407,510 customers in 231 countries and more than 10 million lives touched (Mind Movies, About).
- Mental rehearsal is well researched. A meta-analysis of mental practice studies found it has a positive and significant effect on performance (Driskell et al., 1994).
Contents
- What Are Mind Movies?
- Where Mind Movies Came From
- How Mind Movies Work
- How to Make Your Own Mind Movie
- What People Use Mind Movies For
- What the Research Shows
- Tips for a Powerful Mind Movie
- Mind Movies vs Vision Boards vs Visualisation
- Who Mind Movies Are For
- Watch, Listen and Follow
- Frequently Asked Questions About Mind Movies
- Key Takeaways
- Explore More on Self Help Supermarket
- Sources
What Are Mind Movies?
A Mind Movie is a digital, moving version of a vision board. Instead of pinning pictures to a cork board, you create a short video that pairs images of your goals with positive affirmations and music. The company describes it as “a fun 3-minute video full of positive images and upbeat music” that harnesses “the power of visualization to program your subconscious mind with the outcomes you want in life” (Mind Movies Matrix).
The idea is that by watching your goals come to life on screen every morning and evening, you keep them clearly in mind, feel the emotions of achieving them and become more aware of the people, resources and opportunities that can help you get there. In the words of founder Natalie Ledwell, watching your movie twice a day “helps them to visualize their goals on a regular basis and to attract to them the people, resources and opportunities they need to achieve their goals” (Mind Movies press release, 2012).
Mind Movies is also the name of the company that created the format. It offers the Mind Movies creator software and app, ready-made Mind Movies, guided meditations and audio programmes, and courses on manifesting and personal growth.
Mind Movies at a Glance
| Created by | Natalie Ledwell and the Mind Movies team |
| What it is | A short video vision board of images, affirmations and music |
| Length | About three minutes |
| How often | Three minutes in the morning and three minutes in the evening |
| Based on | Visualisation, affirmations and the law of attraction |
| Reach | 407,510 customers in 231 countries, according to the company |
Details are from Mind Movies, About, Mind Movies press release, 2012 and Mind Movies Matrix.
Where Mind Movies Came From
Mind Movies was founded in 2007 by Natalie Ledwell, Glen Ledwell and their friend Ryan Higgins, a group of Australians who moved to the United States to grow the business. Natalie, who is the face of the company, says she was inspired by a gap in the personal development field: “there wasn’t a single method that merged the power of the law of attraction with cutting-edge technology” (Mind Movies, About).
After years of research and personal experimentation, she developed the Mind Movies approach to teach others the techniques she had used in her own transformation. The company’s stated mission is “to simplify the personal development industry by replacing complex modalities with practical, proven methods and technologies that bring fast results” (Mind Movies, About).
The law of attraction connection
Mind Movies grew up alongside the wave of interest that followed the 2006 film The Secret. Its 2012 Mind Movies 3.0 release was described as based on the principles of the law of attraction, “which states that like energy attracts like energy” (Mind Movies press release, 2012). Several teachers from the film, including Bob Proctor, Bob Doyle and Joe Vitale, endorsed the tool. Vitale said, “When you combine music, imagery and affirmations that you choose, the result is incredible” (Mind Movies press release, 2012). You can read more in our guides to The Secret and the law of attraction.
Natalie Ledwell
Natalie Ledwell is a speaker, author and host of the online series The Inspiration Show, where she interviews personal development teachers. Her videos on affirmations, visualisation and creating a Mind Movie are some of the best ways to learn the method in her own words.
How Mind Movies Work
A Mind Movie brings together three ingredients that each have a long history in personal development:
1. Images
Pictures of your goals act as a visual target. Seeing them regularly keeps your attention on what you want and makes the goal feel more real and reachable. This is the same principle as a visualisation practice or a traditional vision board.
2. Affirmations
Short, positive statements written in the present tense, such as “I am confident and calm”, give words to the image. Affirmations help you rehearse a new story about yourself and your life.
3. Music
Uplifting music adds emotion. Mind Movies stresses that feeling the emotions of your goals, not just thinking about them, is what makes the practice powerful.
Why morning and evening?
Mind Movies recommends watching in the morning before you start your day and in the evening before bed. The company says these are especially good times “so that your subconscious mind can mull over and sort out how to achieve your goals throughout your day and while you sleep” (Mind Movies help centre).
Other Mind Movies products
- Mind Movies Creator and app – drag-and-drop tools for making your own movie, with a library of images, music and affirmations (Mind Movies press release, 2012).
- Ready-made Mind Movies – pre-made movies on themes such as health, wealth, love and confidence.
- Mind Movies Matrix – movies combined with brainwave entrainment sounds and subliminal messages, designed for three minutes in the morning and three in the evening (Mind Movies Matrix).
- Meditations and courses – guided meditations, subliminal audios and programmes on manifesting.
How to Make Your Own Mind Movie
You can create a Mind Movie with the official Mind Movies tools, or with any simple video or slideshow app. The official creator lets you upload your own images, music and present-tense affirmations or use its built-in library, and the company says you can make one in as little as 10 minutes (Mind Movies press release, 2012).
- Choose your life areas. Pick the areas you want to focus on, such as health, relationships, career, money, home, travel or personal growth. Two to five areas keeps your movie focused.
- Get clear on your goals. For each area, write down what you would love to have, do or be. Be specific: “running a 10K in spring” is clearer than “being fitter”.
- Write present-tense affirmations. Turn each goal into a short, positive statement in the present tense, as if it is already true. For example, “I am strong, fit and full of energy” or “I love my calm, bright home.”
- Find images that move you. Choose photos or short clips that show each goal as already achieved. Use pictures that spark real feeling. Your own photos work well.
- Pick uplifting music. Choose a song or piece of music that lifts your mood and makes you feel motivated. Aim for about three minutes in length.
- Put it together. Pair each affirmation with an image and set the slides to your music so the whole movie lasts around three minutes. Start with an opening affirmation and end with a line of gratitude, such as “Thank you for all that is coming to me.”
- Watch morning and evening. Watch your Mind Movie each morning before your day begins and each evening before bed. Let yourself feel the emotions of already living your goals as you watch.
- Take one action. After watching, choose one small step toward a goal that day. Update your movie as your goals change or come true.
Watching your Mind Movie regularly keeps your goals in view every day. Many people also keep a copy on their phone so they can watch it whenever they need a boost (Mind Movies press release, 2012).
What People Use Mind Movies For
People use Mind Movies for almost any goal they can picture. Popular themes include:
- Health and fitness – images of an active, energised life with affirmations such as “I love moving my body every day.” Our guides to weight loss and healthy eating pair well with this.
- Love and relationships – picturing a warm, loving partnership, family or friendship. See dating and finding a partner.
- Career and money – a fulfilling job, a growing business or financial freedom.
- Confidence and self-belief – seeing yourself speaking up, performing well and feeling worthy. See self-confidence.
- Home and travel – a dream home, a move or places you want to visit.
- Personal and spiritual growth – calm, gratitude, purpose and joy.
- Motivation – a quick daily reminder of why your goals matter. See motivation.
Many people also make a movie for a single big goal, such as a wedding, a race or a new business, and watch it daily in the months leading up to it.
What the Research Shows
Mind Movies brings together practices with a substantial research base, including mental rehearsal, picturing goals, affirmations and goal setting. Here is what studies of these practices have found.
Mental practice and imagery
A meta-analysis of mental practice research found that rehearsing a task in your mind “has a positive and significant effect on performance”. The effect was influenced by the type of task, the time between practice and performance and the length of the practice (Driskell et al., 1994). In a well-known study, people who mentally practised strong muscle contractions for 12 weeks increased their finger strength by 35% and elbow strength by 13.5% without physically training, and their brain signals to the muscles grew stronger (Ranganathan et al., 2004).
Picturing the steps as well as the goal
In a study of students preparing for an exam, those who mentally pictured the process of studying well studied more, felt less anxious and got better grades (Pham & Taylor, 1999). This suggests that a Mind Movie can be even more helpful when it includes images of the daily steps toward a goal, such as training, practising or saving, as well as the end result.
Imagining your best possible self
Writing about your “best possible self”, the person you hope to become after your goals have come true, for 20 minutes a day over four days improved wellbeing in a study of 81 students (King, 2001). A Mind Movie is a visual version of the same idea.
Affirmations and clear goals
Research on self-affirmation shows that brief exercises that remind people of their core values can improve outcomes in education, health and relationships, sometimes for months or years (Cohen & Sherman, 2014). Thirty-five years of research on goal setting also found that specific, challenging goals lead to better performance than vague goals such as “do your best” (Locke & Latham, 2002). Both findings support making your affirmations meaningful and your goals specific.
Tips for a Powerful Mind Movie
- Use the present tense. Write “I am” and “I have” rather than “I will”, so the movie feels like a picture of now.
- Keep affirmations short. Aim for under 10 words so you can read them comfortably as the slides change.
- Choose images that stir emotion. If a picture leaves you flat, swap it for one that makes you smile.
- Include the journey. Add a few images of the steps you will take, based on the research on process simulation (Pham & Taylor, 1999).
- Be specific. Clear goals are easier to picture and work toward (Locke & Latham, 2002).
- Add gratitude. Ending with a thank-you line helps you finish on a positive feeling.
- Refresh it. Update your movie every few months, or when a goal comes true, so it stays exciting.
- Pair it with action. Treat each viewing as a prompt to take one small step that day.
Sample affirmations by life area
| Life area | Sample affirmation |
|---|---|
| Health | I wake up rested and full of energy. |
| Relationships | I give and receive love easily. |
| Career | I do work I love and I am well rewarded for it. |
| Money | I manage my money wisely and it grows every month. |
| Confidence | I speak with calm, clear confidence. |
| Gratitude | I am grateful for everything that is coming to me. |
Mind Movies vs Vision Boards vs Visualisation
| Mind Movie | Vision board | Guided visualisation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Three-minute video | Poster or collage | Eyes-closed imagery |
| Uses music | Yes | No | Sometimes |
| Uses affirmations | Yes, on screen | Sometimes | Sometimes, spoken |
| Portable | Yes, on your phone | Usually on a wall | Yes |
| Time each day | About six minutes | A glance | 5–20 minutes |
Many people use all three. A vision board keeps your goals visible at home, a Mind Movie gives you a short, emotional boost on the go, and a quiet visualisation or meditation deepens the feeling. If you enjoy affirmation-based methods, you might also like Abraham-Hicks and the Silva Method.
Who Mind Movies Are For
Mind Movies may suit you if:
- You are a visual person who responds to pictures and music.
- You have tried vision boards and want something more engaging.
- You want a simple, short daily practice that takes about six minutes.
- You are drawn to manifesting and the law of attraction.
- You want a daily reminder of your goals to stay motivated.
- You enjoy creative projects and would like to make something personal.
Mind Movies works best as a tool for focus and motivation alongside real-world action. Watching your movie each day and then taking one step forward combines the best of visualisation and goal setting.
Watch, Listen and Follow
Learn what a Mind Movie is from Natalie Ledwell, follow a step-by-step tutorial and see finished Mind Movies in action.
Videos
- What Is A Mind Movie? LOA Guru Explains! – Visualization – Mind Movies – Natalie Ledwell . Natalie Ledwell explains what a Mind Movie is.
- How To Make A Mind Movie (Tutorial) – Law Of Attraction – Mind Movies – Natalie Ledwell . A step-by-step tutorial on making a Mind Movie.
- Mind Movies Creation Demo! – Natalie Ledwell . A demonstration of creating a Mind Movie.
- Natalie Ledwell’s Mind Movie – Natalie Ledwell . Natalie Ledwell shares her own Mind Movie.
- Manifest Financial Abundance | Watch this 3 minute Mind Movie – Natalie Ledwell . A three-minute Mind Movie on financial abundance.
- 10 Affirmations To Change Your Limiting Beliefs – Law Of Attraction – Mind Movies – Natalie Ledwell . Ten affirmations to change limiting beliefs.
- How to create the life you want – Natalie Ledwell – Mind Movies – Women’s Video Revolution – Girl Director TV. Natalie Ledwell on how to create the life you want.
- How to Make a MIND MOVIE: Manifest Your Dream Life Using Neuroscience! – Alexie Gigi. How to make a Mind Movie, from a creator’s point of view.
- Mind Movies Success Story – Personal Development – Mind Movies – Natalie Ledwell . A Mind Movies success story.
Official Mind Movies resources
- Mind Movies, About – the company’s story and mission.
- Mind Movies Matrix – the Matrix programme of Mind Movies with brainwave entrainment.
- Mind Movies help centre – tips on when to watch your movie.
Further reading
- The Secret – Rhonda Byrne (2006). The book that popularised the law of attraction behind Mind Movies.
- Creative Visualization – Shakti Gawain (1978). A classic guide to using mental imagery for goals and wellbeing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mind Movies
What is a Mind Movie?
A Mind Movie is a short personal video vision board that combines images of your goals, present-tense affirmations and uplifting music into a three-minute moving picture of the life you want.
Who created Mind Movies?
Mind Movies was created by Natalie Ledwell, who founded the company with Glen Ledwell and Ryan Higgins to combine the law of attraction with modern technology.
How often should I watch my Mind Movie?
Mind Movies recommends watching for about three minutes every morning and three minutes every evening, ideally before you start your day and before bed.
Can I make a Mind Movie for free?
Yes. You can make a simple Mind Movie with any slideshow or video app using your own photos, affirmations and music. The official Mind Movies tools add ready-made libraries and templates.
How long should a Mind Movie be?
A Mind Movie is usually about three minutes long, roughly the length of one song.
What research supports Mind Movies?
Mind Movies draws on research showing that mental practice improves performance, picturing the steps to a goal helps people act on it, and imagining your best possible self improves wellbeing.
What is the difference between a Mind Movie and a vision board?
A vision board is a static collage of images, while a Mind Movie is a video that adds affirmations and music and can be watched anywhere on your phone or computer.
Key Takeaways
- A Mind Movie is a three-minute video vision board of images, affirmations and music.
- It was created by Natalie Ledwell and the Mind Movies company.
- The company recommends watching for three minutes each morning and evening.
- Mind Movies is based on visualisation, affirmations and the law of attraction.
- Research supports mental rehearsal, process visualisation, best-possible-self imagery and specific goals.
- It works best paired with one small real-world action each day.
Explore More on Self Help Supermarket
Use these guides alongside this one:
- Law of attraction – attract what you want
- Visualisation – picture your goals
- The Secret – the classic manifesting guide
- Abraham-Hicks – the art of allowing
- The Silva Method – mind control and imagery
- Psycho-Cybernetics – change your self-image
- Reality Transurfing – choose your reality
- Meditation – calm the mind
- Motivation – stay driven
- Self-confidence – believe in yourself
- Procrastination – get started
- Self-esteem – value yourself
- Browse all self-help techniques – compare every method on Self Help Supermarket.
Sources
- Mind Movies. About. https://www.mindmovies.com/about.php
- Mind Movies. (2012). Press release: Mind Movies 3.0. https://www.mindmovies.com/press/index.php?date=121016
- Mind Movies. Mind Movies Matrix. https://www.mindmovies.com/products/matrix_info.php
- Mind Movies Help Centre. What is the best time of the day to watch your Mind Movie? https://mindmovies.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/15283268382487-What-is-the-best-time-of-the-day-to-watch-your-Mind-Movie
- Driskell, J. E., Copper, C., & Moran, A. (1994). Does mental practice enhance performance? Journal of Applied Psychology, 79(4), 481–492. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.79.4.481
- Ranganathan, V. K., Siemionow, V., Liu, J. Z., Sahgal, V., & Yue, G. H. (2004). From mental power to muscle power: Gaining strength by using the mind. Neuropsychologia, 42(7), 944–956. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2003.11.018
- Pham, L. B., & Taylor, S. E. (1999). From thought to action: Effects of process- versus outcome-based mental simulations on performance. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 25(2), 250–260. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167299025002010
- King, L. A. (2001). The health benefits of writing about life goals. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 27(7), 798–807. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167201277003
- Cohen, G. L., & Sherman, D. K. (2014). The psychology of change: Self-affirmation and social psychological intervention. Annual Review of Psychology, 65, 333–371. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-010213-115137
- Locke, E. A., & Latham, G. P. (2002). Building a practically useful theory of goal setting and task motivation: A 35-year odyssey. American Psychologist, 57(9), 705–717. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.57.9.705
Self Help Supermarket guides are for general information and are not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.
