The Productive ‘Eat That Frog’ Strategy!

As a strict vegetarian who is bordering on vegan, I must confess that when I first came across this method, I was initially taken aback until I swiftly became aware that the popular strategy had nothing to do with eating frogs at all!

The ‘eat that frog’ strategy was made popular by the author Brian Tracy and is a highly productive technique that encourages tackling the most challenging or daunting task, at the start of the day. The concept is based on Mark Twain’s saying that if the first thing you do each morning is eat a live frog, then you can go through the remainder of the day knowing that the worst is over and done with. Well, I’m certainly not going to argue with that! In a workplace context, this strategy can be very effective to boost productivity, however revolting it may sound!

Eat that frog involves identifying the most critical and often the most difficult task, the one that you are least likely to enjoy, and complete it first. By addressing the hardest task at the start of the day, when energy and focus are at their peak, it becomes far easier to manage. This method helps in overcoming procrastination, as delaying challenging tasks can lead to stress, reduced productivity and a definite drop in motivation throughout the day.

This technique can be of benefit in busy working environments where tight schedules, frequent meetings and working towards deadlines can make it hard to maintain focus. By getting the hardest task out of the way, employees reduce their levels of stress and can build a steady momentum for the rest of their work. The strategy is also useful for remote workers who need their day independently structured.

Starting with the most demanding task eliminates the habit of spending the morning on smaller, less important tasks which can lead to a false sense of productivity. ‘Eating the frog’ ensures that key tasks receive undivided attention, resulting in more efficient and effective work.

The strategy is very easy to implement, which contributes to its popularity. With digital tools and task management apps, professionals are able to dedicate their peak focus to essential tasks before moving on to smaller or more enjoyable tasks. Simple and effective, it is great for those wanting to streamline their workflow and minimise procrastinating about the day ahead.

The concept certainly works for me and I find I work far more productively and efficiently since having implemented it, getting the least enjoyable or more taxing jobs out of the way first. This is after my avocado on toast, may I add, not a frog!