Eat the Frog (translated “Eat the Frog”)… .. doesn't sound like something you'd like to do. This statement was first introduced to the general public by Mark Twain. He once said:
“If your job is to eat a frog, it is best to do it early in the morning. And if your job is to eat two frogs, it's best to eat the largest one first. “
Where does the saying eat the frog come from?
Since then, many different people have adopted this phrase, but the one we're most interested in is Brian Tracy. He uses the principle in his famous “eat a frog” technique, and it's the focus of his classic time management book, Eat That Frog !: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done.
What is meant by the frog in “eat the frog”?
What is the meaning of Eat the Frog? Your working day probably consists of many different tasks. Some are more important than others, and there will also be tasks that you would rather not do at all.
Your frog is the only task you have on your to-do list that you don't feel any enthusiasm for. It is also that task that you are more likely to procrastinate.
What is the “eat the frog” technique exactly? The 'eat that frog' is a metaphor for tackling the most challenging or dreaded task of your day - the one you procrastinate but probably has the greatest positive impact on your day.
What should you do with your frog using the “eat that frog” technique? Eat the frog! Do it first, don't delay, just do it!
How do you identify the frog?
The key to this productivity method is a to-do list. Divide your list of tasks into the following categories:
- Things you don't really want to do, but you REALLY have to do
- Things you want to do and must
- Things you want to do but don't really need
- Things you don't want to do and don't really need
Your focus, or your frog, are the tasks in that first category. If you have two or more frogs, try (as Mark Twain said) to tackle the largest frog or task first.
How the “Eat the frog” method works
When you get up in the morning, or when you first arrive at the office, your goal is to complete the most unwanted task of the day first. It is best to identify this task the night of the previous day by making a to-do list for the next day.
Through your daily To do list you will get the most difficult or uncomfortable task out of the way first, you will feel energized because you started your day with something worthwhile and you will get more and more satisfaction because of this, become more productive, get more focus and energy to keep going.
Why Eat the Frog is Effective
Everyone should consider adopting this time management technique. Here are some reasons why:
You determine your agenda yourself
What is the first thing you do when you go to work? Are you the first to check your mailbox with all e-mails? Do you want to know if incoming messages need to be answered? This is a reactive prioritization and this way of working can quickly ensure that your entire working day is taken over. Instead, try to put your agenda first and don't allow other requests to derail your focus.
It helps to promote “deep work”
It is very easy to get distracted in the modern workplace. Chat messages, phone calls, meetings, emails, and all kinds of incoming requests can all be very distracting. And of course, let's not forget your social media feed. With the “eat the frog” method you try to reduce all these distractions, you really prioritize your actions and you get closer to your goals!
Helps you use your time much more optimally
For most people, the first hours of the day can be the most productive. Your willpower and energy are high and you get a lot more done. Use these early morning hours to your absolute advantage and leave the less stressful and less important tasks for when you've already exhausted some of your important brainpower.
Simplicity and flexibility
Eat the Frog is one of the simplest productivity tools, which means it's great to fall back on. It is incredibly flexible and universally applicable. It's an effective, yet simple way to make sure you're making progress on the meaningful things that matter most to you.
It makes you a winner
It's very easy to overestimate what you can achieve in a day. It is, in fact, human nature and is the main reason productivity tools often make you feel like a failure.
This Eat the Frog method is a bit different in its approach as it encourages you to focus on less, even when you are confident you could do a lot more. As a result, you feel much better about your workday, often at the start of the day, because you have completed the most important and most challenging task. This prepares you to blast through with full energy, focus and productivity and therefore prepares you to win!
Sources include BrianTracy (link), Checkify (link), Editors (link), Todoist (link)
