Eat that frog means to focus on the most important tasks and make sure those get done. Starting from here, instead of trying to do everything at once, the recommendation is to act immediately on the task that you are most likely to procrastinate on. This way apart from the fact that you have accomplished one of the tasks, you are also pleased that most likely the worst thing that you should have done that day, is already done.
Where it comes from
Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time is one of the many books written by Brian Tracy (born January 5, 1944). Brian Tracy is well-known worldwide as a self-development author and motivational public speaker. Through its own individual company, the author of the book is helping individuals and corporations to quickly and efficiently achieve their personal and also business goals.Eat that frog is a book based on the following statement:
If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And If it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.
Mark Twain
By transposing this into time management as a method of avoiding procrastination and being able to achieve more, Brian Tracy says that:
Your “frog” is your biggest, most important task, the one you are most likely to procrastinate on if you don’t do something about it….If You Have To Eat Two Frogs, Eat The Ugliest One First This is another way of saying that if you have two important tasks before you, start with the biggest, hardest, and most important task first.
Brian Tracy
The basic principles of Eat that frog
The method is based on several principles that can be applied to all our tasks regardless of the field of activity
- Don’t stay long in your thoughts, take action immediately
- Of two equally important tasks make the first one the most difficult
- Work like this constantly
In addition to these basic principles, Brian Tracy also details in his book 21 more techniques that will positively influence personal productivity. From these techniques, each person will have to choose what suits him best.
Step by step
Eat that frog is simple and easy to apply. The first action is to set goals. This step is necessary to know where you are going, to plan what you have to do and to act in that regard. Then
- Make a To-do list and do this in writing, not just in your memory
- Review the activities included in the to-do list and plan each day the night before
- Decide which is the most important and difficult task and do it first the next day
- Work on one task at a time
- Use any of the 21 additional techniques to improve your performance
- Repeat the procedure each day and work on it consistently
Make a decision to practice these principles every day until they become second nature to you. With these habits of personal management as a permanent part of your personality, your future success will be unlimited
Brian Tracy
Benefits of using the Eat That Frog Method
Eat that frog, by constant application, will help you upgrade your key skills. Improved self-discipline is one of the important benefits of using this method. You will put pressure on yourself and the results will motivate you to continue acting. You will become more determined in everything you do and you will make decisions much easier.
All this will lead to an efficient and efficient avoidance of procrastination and to a remarkable improvement of your personal productivity.
