Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time

by Brian Tracy

Your “frog” is your biggest, most important task, the one you are most likely to procrastinate on if you don’t do something about it.

The first rule of frog eating is this: If you have to eat two frogs, eat the ugliest one first.

Continually remind yourself that one of the most important decisions you make each day is what you will do immediately and what you will do later, if you do it at all.

Clarity is perhaps the most important concept in personal productivity.

The most valuable tasks you can do each day are often the hardest and most complex.

Rule: Resist the temptation to clear up small things first.

Rule: Long-term thinking improves short-term decision making.

Before starting on anything, you should always ask yourself, “What are the potential consequences of doing or not doing this task?”

With a clear long-term vision, you are much more capable of evaluating an activity in the present to ensure that it is consistent with where you truly want to end up.

Motivation requires motive.

The cleaner and neater your work environment, the more positive, productive, and confident you will feel.

Rule: Continuous learning is the minimum requirement for success in any field.

One of the simplest and yet most powerful ways to get yourself started is to repeat the words “Do it now! Do it now! Do it now!” over and over to yourself.

If you feel yourself slowing down or becoming distracted by conversations or low-value activities, repeat to yourself the words “Back to work! Back to work! Back to work!” over and over.

Set the table: Decide exactly what you want. Clarity is essential. Write out your goals and objectives before you begin.

You can accomplish the biggest and most complicated job if you just complete it one step at a time.