Ketchup or Barbecue Sauce?
In case you're wondering, today we're discussing productivity.
They say "eat the frog" first thing in the morning: get the least pleasant thing out of the way as early as possible. It's a useful image that helps us get things done.
It's really simple:
- Identify one important task for the day. JUST PICK ONE.
- Finish the task. Break it down into smaller steps if you need to, but don't put it off.
- Repeat the process tomorrow.
Distraction and procrastination become problems for a range of different reasons. Maybe you aren't sure how to start, or you've never done that thing before. Maybe there's an emotional trigger and it blocks you from going forward. Or maybe you're dreading that task with every fiber of your being.
Planning the task is part of finishing it. When you start to break it down, you're already making progress. Be patient with yourself, and just work at it. You'll feel great when it's done because finishing things produces a sense of accomplishment that builds overall motivation.
If you need advice about frog eating and other techniques, try todoist.com. I love their articles and I use that app to help me keep track of stuff.
Leave a comment and tell me which sauce you like on your frogs. :-)
Recent Comments
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Very good. I procrastinate all the time for fear of failing, working on the principal that if I don't start, then I can't fail. Dumb I know.
Sounds like self-preservation to me. We've all been taught that failure is bad, but it's really just part of the process.
Pick a frog and start tomorrow!
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I'll pass on the frog eating but I'm sure you've seen that book by Brian Tracy "Eat That Frog". It's one of my favs to help with procrastination which has always been an issue for me.
You're right though. When I finish something (that frog), it feels SO good and motivates me to do more.
~Debbi
That's exactly the method!
Brian Tracy developed the idea out of a quote from Mark Twain, “Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.”
Thanks for reading.