Conquer Your Day: The Power of Eating the Frog

"Eat the frog" is a saying that can help you be more productive.

Even though this doesn't seem very tasty, the saying comes from a quotation that is sometimes credited to Mark Twain: "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 recommended to eat the largest frog first.”

Motivational speaker Brian Tracy first used the phrase "Eat the Frog" in his book "Eat That Frog: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time.” Tracy expanded on Twain's idea and created a whole productivity strategy based on it. According to Tracy, the "frog" is your hardest, most crucial task and the one you put off the most.

We all have chores that we dislike and instinctively attempt to avoid. For me, it involves collecting and classifying receipts so that my bookkeeper can input them into my accounting program. Accounting has never really appealed to me, and I find it even less appealing to collect documents before accounting.

On planned days, I "eat the frog" and go through all of the receipts before I begin anything else that morning, rather than ignoring the piles of paper in my in basket.

Eating the frog reduces procrastination, minimizes distractions, and helps you prioritize your responsibilities. I've discovered that I have a higher chance of finishing an activity if I plan which frog I will attack the following morning.

How can you tell if an action is a "frog"?

• Frogs typically involve complicated, multi-step procedures
• The activities that you aren't improving on are frogs; they frequently consume hours and deplete your vitality
• Frogs can present challenging and unpleasant tasks
• Frogs can engage in tedious, repetitive, and dull activities

After finishing your "frog," don't forget to treat yourself. This may be a quick walk around the block, a phone call to a buddy, or a little pause on social media.

I got on the treadmill first thing this morning before heading to my office. This is a far more effective way for me to get my exercise in. At least three times a week, I'm going to "eat the frog”!

Want other productivity ideas? Read:

• The 3 times you should lower your standards to increase productivity
• Spend 20% Less Time at Work & Maintain Productivity
• Tomatoes and Productivity