Eat That Frog
Tackle your most important or dreaded task first thing in the morning, before you do anything else.
What is Eat That Frog?
This method helps you stop procrastinating by front-loading your day with meaningful work. It builds self-discipline: once you consistently force yourself to do the hard thing first, you strengthen your “productivity muscle.” Emotionally, it relieves the guilt or stress of knowing that a daunting task is undone – you eliminate that worry early. As a result, you often feel a surge of accomplishment and freed-up mental space, which can make you more upbeat and productive with whatever comes next. “Eating the frog” essentially ensures each day starts with progress on your most valued goal, rather than getting lost in busywork.
“Eat That Frog” is a vivid metaphor from Brian Tracy’s productivity advice. The “frog” is your biggest, hardest, or most procrastinated task – the one you are most likely to put off. The method is simple: identify that task (your frog), and **do it first**, ideally early in the day. By getting it done, you not only make the most progress where it counts but also gain a psychological win. The technique urges you to resist clearing easy or minor tasks first; instead, use your freshest energy on the major task. Once the frog is “eaten,” the rest of your day feels easier by comparison.
How It Works
What is the single most important task on my plate – the “frog” I’m most likely to avoid?
Helps with: Identifying your top-priority or most dreaded task.
Why is this task important for me to finish? What benefits or relief will it bring once completed?
Helps with: Strengthening your motivation by recalling the value of the task.
What specific time in the morning will I commit to start working on this frog, and have I blocked that time out?
Helps with: Setting a clear intention and time for execution, to avoid morning distractions.
What might tempt me to postpone this task, and how will I prevent those distractions or excuses?
Helps with: Anticipating and mitigating your own procrastination triggers.
After completing this major task, how do I feel and what will I reward myself with (even if just a short break or acknowledging the win)?
Helps with: Reinforcing the positive effects of finishing the hard task, which builds momentum.
Best Used For
You have been procrastinating on a high-priority task or you feel a particular important task hanging over you. It’s especially useful if you tend to start days reacting to emails or minor to-dos and never get to the big stuff. Use it at the beginning of your workday or whenever your “peak” focus time is.
Not Recommended For
If your highest-priority task truly requires resources or input only available later in the day, you might not be able to do it first thing. Also, some experts caution not to ONLY do hard tasks if minor quick wins could create momentum. (However, generally this method has few downsides aside from needing discipline.)
In Practice
"Brian Tracy often quotes the old saying (attributed to Mark Twain): “If you have to eat two frogs, eat the ugliest one first.” In practice, that means if you have multiple important tasks, tackle the biggest and hardest first. By doing so, you avoid the temptation to delay the tough stuff."
"Advocates cite that this approach takes advantage of peak morning willpower. Research on productivity notes that early hours are when most people have the highest energy and least distractions, so you can push through a difficult task more effectively. The payoff is a boost in confidence and momentum for the rest of the day."
Scientific Foundation
Brian Tracy (2001)
Tracy emphasizes tackling the hardest task first by using the metaphor: *“If you have to eat two frogs, eat the ugliest one first.”* In other words, when faced with multiple important tasks, start with the biggest, most challenging one before anything else.
Checkify – Productivity Blog (2021)
Notes that **willpower and energy are highest in the first few hours of the day**, so doing your most difficult work in the morning takes advantage of your peak focus. By leaving easier tasks for later, you maximize your productivity when your brain is freshest.
Mark Twain (popular attribution)
The approach is encapsulated by a quote commonly attributed to Mark Twain: *“If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning.”* The idea is to get the unpleasant but important duty done early, rather than procrastinating on it.
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