Time to Eat the Frog
In the spirit of the New Year, we thought we’d talk about something many of us have made resolutions to get rid of over the years: procrastination. Nobody wants to do it. We all know it’s a bad habit that kills productivity and limits potential and it’s something that most of us have struggled with at some point in our lives. But what can we do about it?
Well, have you tried eating a frog?
No, that’s not a typo. It’s a strategy to overcome procrastination. The phrase “eat the frog,” popularized by productivity expert Brian Tracy, refers to the idea of tackling your most difficult or least enjoyable tasks first thing in the morning. The idea is that by getting the “frog” out of the way, you’ll be able to move on to other tasks with a sense of accomplishment and momentum.
But why a frog?
The metaphor is meant to convey the idea that this task is something that you really don’t want to do, much like how most people would rather not eat a frog (hands up if you’re in that group). And once it’s out of the way, the rest of your day can be smooth sailing.
So how do you actually go about “eating the frog”? Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Identify your frog: Take a few minutes to think about the tasks on your to-do list and determine which one is the most difficult or least enjoyable. This is your frog.
- Set aside time for the frog: Make sure you have a dedicated block of time to work on your frog. It’s important to avoid distractions during this time and focus solely on the task at hand.
- Break the task down: If your frog is a particularly large or daunting task, it can be helpful to break it down into smaller, more manageable chunks. This can make it feel less overwhelming and help you make progress more quickly.
- Get started: Once you have your frog identified and your time set aside, it’s time to get started. It’s natural to feel some resistance or hesitation but try to push through it. Remember, the sooner you get the task done, the sooner you can move on to other things.
Eating the frog might not be the most pleasant experience, but it can be a powerful tool for combating procrastination and increasing your productivity.
By tackling your most difficult tasks first thing in the morning, you’ll be able to start your day off on a positive note and build momentum as you move through the rest of your to-do list. So the next time you find yourself faced with a task that you’re tempted to put off, remember: eat the frog and get it done!
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