Want to set a NEW GOAL? Do THIS ‘lil process to ramp up your success!!

I’ve started back to college recently, and one of my first research papers was on goal setting!  Needless to say I spent hours going through journals and books digging for best practices to keep & achieve a goal!  In the end I got a really good grade on my paper, and learned a TON about goal setting in the process.  There is something I came up with that I wanted to share that incorporates a hodge-podge of things I narrowed down from my studies.  Here’s a breakdown in 3 easy to remember steps…that work!

#1– WRITE YOUR GOAL DOWN!

It is a FACT that 48% of those that write their goals down – achieve them!  Yes!  It’s true…just write em down!  You can’t skip this step, as simple as it may seem!

#2- IT MUST MEAN A LOT TO YOU! 

Your goal must have a true, meaningful purpose or simply don’t waste your time.  There’s a TON of proof on this believe me.  Find a quiet place & really ask yourself some deep/tough questions.  DREAM AWAY!  HAVE FUN!  If you do not feel energized & truly engaged with your idea, it’s probably something you won’t stick with.

#3- BREAK IT UP INTO ‘LIL PIECES & PUT IT WHERE YOU CAN SEE IT MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY!

The second biggest mistake that people make (not writing things down is #1) regarding goal setting is making them too vague or too big (unattainable).  To start out, break your big goal into little ones.  LITTLE.  Itty bitty.  This is very important.  You want to picture a staircase if you will.  Each time you complete your little goal (every day), you visually see yourself stepping up to the next step on the staircase… all the while seeing your ultimate goal shining down at you from the top.  And little by little you get closer…and closer.  Then BAM!  You are where you aimed to be!

READY?  Here’s what ya do!

Grab a pen.  Grab an index card (get mine anywhere).  Start writing your goals on one line at a time!  If it’s one great!  If it’s five (like mine)- that works too!

NOW!  Flip your card over and write down exactly why you started these goals in the first place.  Or maybe a favorite quote that gives you a push when you need it later.  OR!  Something that really hits you in the gut when you are slacking in any way to get you moving in the right direction again!  Look at this often, and when/if you hit a snag.  It works! 🙂

PLACE your card in a good spot that you KNOW you will see multiple times a day.  I keep mine under my alarm clock so I can look at it when I get up and before I go to bed.  It has been working like a charm!  Truly!  I have never had a process work as good- keepin it very simple just like the experts suggested.

My card is on its second month, and it’s been looked at (and flipped) every day.  I’m getting ready to fill out my next one, because what I had on this card is now habit and I don’t even have to think about them anymore.  On to the next!

What do you think?  Have any goals you want to set?  Think this might help you get there?  Give it a try- I would love to know what you think!!  Here’s to getting where we want to go!  🙂

 

 

 

 

 

Ready to BRULEE’ your BODY?

I’m serving up the recipe for a coffee/oatmeal body scrub that will have your skin drinking up the good stuff!  This scrub is amazing, and I swear I can smell it as I’m writing this!  It is SO GOOD, don’t be surprised if you find your arm stuck to your nose!

Ready?  No need to go and buy a fancy jar unless you want to.  Just go grab any glass container (mine is 8 ounces) with a tight-fitting lid you have handy.  Make sure it’s clean and dry.  If you want to go a step further and paint your jar, you can do what I did and simply paint it any color you want (acrylic paint), let dry and sand off edges (or not).  Let’s get MIXING!!

You will need:

1 cup ground Vanilla Bean Cream Brulee Coffee grounds (I used Archer Farms brand @ Target and Oh my goodness!!)

1/2 cup quick cooking oats (or old-fashioned oats ground up)

1/2 cup coconut oil

1/4 cup olive oil

1 TBS honey

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Note: This is not a face scrub – body scrub only.

MIX IT UP:     Simply mix all the ingredients together well and pour into your jar!  You do not have to refrigerate your scrub (unless you want too), and it will last on your counter (looking cute) for approximately 2 weeks….if it lasts that long – mine never does!  I would strive for all organic brands whenever possible.  If you do not have coconut oil the first go around, just try with olive oil and check the consistency as you go.  I aim to have about a 1/2 inch of oil that “settles on top” in my jar.  You really can’t  mess it up which is why I love it so much!

APPLICATION:     Anyone in the mood for a shower?  I am!  This scrub is absolutely amazing for your skin – especially maturing skin.  Smooth handfuls all over and rub in slow circles.  Don’t rub too hard!  And try not to eat it! 🙂 Don’t forget to move in an upward motion toward your heart; this aids in blood circulation (and gravity, let’s be real).  Breathe as you go- it’s soooo good!  For best results, keep the scrub on as long as you can to allow the ingredients to do their thing!  The coffee does wonders for tightening and smoothing!  You will be blinded by your glowing skin!  YOU’LL SEE!!

FUN TIPS:     Go with the season!  Using the same recipe, just choose a different ground coffee like PUMPKIN/CINNAMON for FALL or PEPPERMINT/SUGAR COOKIE for WINTER!!  OR… try adding raw coarse sugar into the mix for a foot scrub for soar, dry feet this coming winter season!  The choices are endless, so let me know what you think and better yet, comment with any good varieties you conjure up!  Happy scrubbing!

 

 

 

It’s All in the Name

Why Jane Eats Cake?  I’m obviously not a pastry chef, but I can take down some baked goods!  So let me get on with it.  My site is primarily a lifestyle site for all things fun and female.  I’m your average gal who likes to dabble in this and that.  In my head I’m a jack of all trades – master of nothing, so I will be sharing anything that I have come across that makes life easier and more productive.  There seems to never be enough time in a day, so I’m always looking for ways to make things easier!  Aren’t we all!

Cake.  Lovely cake.  Chocolate cake, pound cake, angel cake, cup cakes…need I go on?  Cake represents many things in my life, which is why I chose it to go alongside Jane- my middle name.  As I mentioned in my ABOUT page, I have been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder.  Due to ups and downs (and other things) – I’m an emotional eater.  In my mind everyone is an emotional eater, it’s just that some do it in a healthier fashion!  My relationship with food has been up and down as far back as I can remember.  I also know there is no shame in admitting it.  You cannot change what you don’t realize right?  I have learned that it’s part of my personal make up.  At this point in my life, it’s more about mastering the “maintenance” aspect of my relationship with food and not pressuring myself to be someone I’m simply not.

So here is where all the fun recipes come in to play, along with the exercise and metal health aspects I will be incorporating.  A bit of this and a bit of that.  Things I have found or learned that could possibly be someone else’s new best friend!  Cake is delicious, pretty, creative, layered, and bad in all the right ways.  This is Why Jane Eats Cake.  Welcome!

Feeling a little on Edge? Here are 2 easy ways to feel balanced fast!

We all feel a bit off sometimes, and it typically comes from out of no where!  Here are 2 simple ideas to get the pep back in your step!  Or you could just look at the hedge hog – he makes me smile inside every time (or maybe not if you don’t like hedge hogs).  There’s a lot of words, but I promise that doing the task itself is simple!  These two tricks are brought to you by my doctor and one of my favorite books.  Read on and bring on relaxation…

FLIPPED PUZZLE–  Grab a Word Find puzzle (not a cross word & large print is better for this), a pen of course & find a quiet place to park yourself for at least 5-10 minutes & maybe some hot tea.  This is hard sometimes I know, but what’s the point in moving on in a state of wanting to pull your hair out or someone else’s!

NOW for the flip part…do not use your dominant hand.  If you write with your right hand, hold the pen with your left hand and start finding those pesky words!  This is not about perfection!  Don’t throw the book across the room if your circles are not perfect! This is about using a different part of your brain and snapping it out of whatever spiral it was going down (big or small).  This is a great exercise for memory as well.  So relax, breathe, finish your puzzle and then see how you feel!  Give it a couple of tries.  I’m hooked!

TIP: stock up on puzzle books at the Dollar Store ($1 vs $5) & keep a book to grab when you need it!  In the car, office, nightstand, liquor cabinet, you get the idea.

BODY SQUEEZE 4 – This is easy, effective and can be done anywhere!  Simply sit in a comfortable chair or lay down someplace quite if possible.  Find your happy place.  Find your breath (listen to your breathing, feel your heartbeat, or focus on the belly area).  Start with your toes and squeeze as hard as you can comfortably and hold for 4 seconds (breathe normally/deeply or hold breath for 4 seconds as well).

While squeezing, it’s important to focus your thought on your breath and the body part.  Nothing else.  This takes practice, so just go with the flow.  Even a little goes a long way.  Move from your toes up to your calves – squeeze 4 seconds & release still maintaining even breath.  Move up to your knees, booty, hips, stomach, hands, shoulder blades, shoulders, neck and face.   Don’t go crazy on the squeezing now, but I will say the harder I can, the better results I have.

TIP:  If you have a favorite candle or spray – use it!  It aids areas of the brain to calm down & focus.  Picture your worries and frustrations leaving your body when you release the squeeze.  SHORT ON TIME? Focus on your toes, hands, jaw and face.  Happy squeezing!!