'Eat the Frog' Method: Stop putting things off
Identify one important task for the day and do it first.
I've been into self-improvement for about ten years now. I've read a bunch of different people, but one of the first ones I got into was the author Brian Tracy. I listen to his audiobooks every morning, and they've seriously changed how I think about being successful and dealing with tough stuff.
One thing I learned is that you gotta "eat the frogs" even when you don't wanna. đ¸ That means tackling the toughest task on your to-do list - the one you're most likely to procrastinate on. It's not easy, but it's worth it!
Productivity consultant Brian Tracy named the Eat The Frog method after this vivid piece of advice from Mark Twain. While there's more power and nuance to this method than meets the eye, it all boils down to this: Identify one important task for the day and do it first. At this point, you may be thinking, âONE TASK?1
So, how can you tackle your most challenging tasks with the âEat that Frogâ method?
We all have stuff on our to-do lists that we dread doing. You knowâthose daunting tasks that just seem too overwhelming even to start?Â
It's easy to want to avoid these types of tasks altogether. They can be super intimidating and make us want to give up before we start.Â
But with the right mindset and strategies, you can totally conquer those big challenges and come out on top.
Brian Tracy's "Eat the Frog" method has been around for many years and still proves to be one of the most effective ways to combat procrastination and deal with overwhelming tasks.
đ¸Â Eat The Frog is perfect when you:
Struggles with procrastination
Are busy all day with the wrong tasks, but youâre not progressing on the important stuff.
Donât have any productivity system in place.
Struggle to decide what to work on, so you spend your time on mandated tasks instead, like emails, tidying cupboards, running errandsâŚ
Feel overwhelmed most of the time.
The idea behind this method is simple: the "frog" represents the most complex and difficult task on your to-do list, which you should do first thing in the morning, even if you don't feel like it. By getting it out of the way early, you'll feel accomplished and motivated to tackle the rest of your tasks with more energy. Plus, finishing a tough task can feel like a weight off your shoulders and reduce the stress and overwhelm that come with procrastination.
It's important to note that the Eat the Frog method might not be your cup of tea but it is the method worth considering.Â
Tackle any resistance you might have first.Â
If you're feeling daunted by a tough task and don't know where to start, try breaking it down into smaller pieces that are more manageable.Â
Here's how to do it in four simple steps:
Establish your goal/task/frog đ¸
Break down your goal into concrete subgoals (mini goals) đ¸ đ¸
Identify actions you need to take to accomplish each subgoal đ¸ đ¸ đ¸
Add the timeline/ deadline to each subgoal â˛ď¸
Next time you feel swamped by your to-do list, here's what I want you to do.Â
Step #1 Identify your frog. Schedule the subgoals you need to take to eat the frog.Â
Step #2 Eat the subgoal by taking action you identified you need to take to accomplish this particular subgoal
Step #3 Repeat the same process daily by taking action on the subgoals.Â
By following these three steps, youâll gain momentum; before you know it, you've eaten the frog.Â
The most effective way to combat procrastination is to consider the consequences. So youâve followed my three-step process, broken down your big frog into manageable subgoals, and added the deadlines for each. You are all set, yet you still donât feel like eating the frog.
Think about what would happen if you did not complete your most challenging task.
What are the potential and highly likely consequences of not completing your frog?
âEveryone procrastinates. The difference between high performers and low performers is largely determined by what they choose to procrastinate on.â2
Your weekly activity for this week is to apply the âEat that frogâ technique to the task youâve been procrastinating on recently.Â