There’s a classic joke that goes like this:
“I procrastinate so much that if there was a competition for procrastination, I’d probably just show up late and miss it.”
Another one could be a motto for some people’s life (including me!):
“I’m not procrastinating, I’m just prioritizing my laziness.”
Who first ‘ate that frog’
“Eat That Frog” is a productivity strategy that was popularized by Brian Tracy, a renowned self-help author and motivational speaker. This strategy is based on the famous quote by Mark Twain: “Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” Tracy believes that by tackling your most difficult or unpleasant task first, you can overcome procrastination, boost your productivity, and achieve your goals faster.
The idea behind “Eat That Frog” is simple: Identify your biggest, most important task of the day—the “frog”—and tackle it first thing in the morning. By doing so, you’ll be more productive, more focused, and more likely to accomplish your other tasks throughout the day.
How you can use ‘eat that frog’ in your life
So, how can you apply this strategy to your everyday life? Here are some examples:
- Work on your most important project first thing in the morning. Whether you’re a student working on a paper, a freelancer with a looming deadline, or an employee with a major presentation, tackle your biggest task as soon as you start your workday. By doing so, you’ll be able to concentrate on the task at hand and make significant progress before you get bogged down with other obligations.
- Make that dreaded phone call. Whether it’s a call to a client, a customer, or a family member you’ve been avoiding, making that phone call as soon as possible will give you a sense of accomplishment and remove a weight from your shoulders. Plus, it’s usually not as bad as you think it will be.
- Tackle your least favourite household chore. Whether it’s doing the dishes, folding laundry, or cleaning the bathroom, getting it out of the way first thing in the morning will give you a sense of accomplishment and free up your time for other activities later in the day.
- Prioritizing exercise: Many people struggle to find time to exercise, but it’s an essential part of staying healthy. By “eating the frog” and prioritizing exercise first thing in the morning, you can ensure that it gets done before the day’s distractions and excuses set in.
- Conquering difficult work projects: If you have a work project that you’ve been putting off because it seems overwhelming, try breaking it down into smaller, more manageable tasks. Then, tackle the most challenging task first thing in the morning, when your mind is fresh and focused.
- Studying for exams: If you’re a student facing a big exam, “eating the frog” can be an effective way to ensure that you’re fully prepared. Identify the most challenging subject or topic and make a plan to study it first thing in the morning, when you’re most alert and focused.
- Building healthy habits: Whether you’re trying to eat healthier, quit smoking, or start meditating, “eating the frog” can help you build healthy habits. Identify the most challenging aspect of your goal and commit to tackling it first thing in the morning, when your willpower is strongest.
Who uses ‘eat that frog’ to smash their goals
There are several examples of how the “Eat That Frog” method has been used successfully in business. One such example is Brian Tracy himself, who has built a successful business empire by consistently using this method. In fact, he attributes much of his success to his ability to prioritize and focus on the most important tasks, rather than getting bogged down by the trivial ones.
Another example is that of Tim Ferriss, the author of the best-selling book “The 4-Hour Workweek”. Ferriss has credited the “Eat That Frog” method as one of the key factors in his success. He believes that by identifying and tackling the most important task first thing in the morning, he is able to accomplish more in a day than most people do in a week.
Many other successful entrepreneurs and business leaders have also adopted this method, including Richard Branson, Mark Zuckerberg, and Steve Jobs. They all recognize the importance of prioritizing and tackling the most important tasks first, rather than wasting time on low-value activities.
In fact, many companies have even incorporated the “Eat That Frog” method into their corporate culture. For example, one software company has a policy of requiring all employees to identify and tackle their most important task first thing in the morning, before doing anything else. This has helped them to become more productive and achieve better results in their work.
Overall, the “Eat That Frog” method has proven to be a highly effective tool for increasing productivity and achieving success, both in personal and professional settings.
Conclusion
By using the “Eat That Frog” strategy, you’ll be able to overcome procrastination, improve your productivity, and achieve your goals faster. But remember, the key is to identify your biggest, most important task and tackle it first thing in the morning. So, take a deep breath, gather your courage, and “eat that frog”!
If you want to dig deeper into the subject, check out Brian Tracy’s top Takeaways video
Internal links
In true Next Few Steps style, what one takeaway will you apply to your life immediately to help you become a demigod of productivity?
And if you have any other tips, tricks or comments, be sure to leave them below.