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Did the headline grab you? Let’s be honest. Most of us don’t really want to eat a frog, especially one as cute, happy, and probably poisonous as this one. But it’s a metaphor of sorts – popularized by Brian Tracy’s book, Eat That Frog! What it’s really about is tackling your most challenging and important task of the day – one you might be avoiding or procrastinating on.
The idea is to address this most significant and often difficult task first thing in the morning, as completing it sets a positive tone for the rest of the day and prevents the unfinished task becoming a source of stress. It could just as equally be about making an important decision.
The metaphor of ‘eating a frog’ is also about focusing on what truly matters and not getting bogged down by less important or more straightforward tasks. And it’s about devoting your time and attention to one task at a time, and finishing it rather than just starting it and then having to come back to it again later.
Another way of thinking about this is that you should do a hard thing each day. By doing so, you get accustomed to taking on difficult tasks and pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone. Over time, this habit helps you build persistence and resilience. You’ll learn how not to fear or avoid these harder and more important tasks. You’ll get better at completing them, and over time, they’ll seem less difficult. That, in turn, will allow you to push yourself even further, should you so choose, increasing your capabilities, productivity, and value.
As a simple example, when I have a workout planned for the day, I like to get it out of the way before I head into work. On those days, I gain not just a sense of accomplishment, but I have more energy and focus throughout the day as well. As a distance athlete, albeit a mediocre one, the routine of regular workouts and preparing for events has also helped me stay focused and build mental toughness. I’ve learned how to power through – or at least keep going – even when I am struggling or having an off day. Today that came in the form of a long run as I gear up for a marathon in a few weeks. It wasn’t my best effort, but I got it out of the way before returning home to tackle other, less strenuous tasks, like writing this newsletter.
To be clear, the idea of ‘eating that frog’ or ‘doing a hard thing today’ isn’t necessarily about exercise. It’s about taking on your most crucial task head-on, overcoming procrastination, and prioritizing your time and energy effectively. And it can benefit you in all parts of your life, whether at work or in personal situations.
So, what’s your ‘frog’ going to be today?
J.R. Lowry
PathWise founder
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