In my previous productivity tip, I told you to not do a task if you’re able to get away with it. Unfortunately, not all tasks are able to be cast into the abyss. Sometimes, you just have to complete certain tasks no matter how much you hate them. To do this you’ll have to eat a live frog in the morning from time to time.
The idea of eating a live frog every morning comes from success guru, Brian Tracy, who wrote a blog post and even a book about it called Eat That Frog: 21 Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time. He defines “a live frog” as being a task that you really dislike doing. He also says that if you have two live frogs that need eating, then don’t procrastinate, but rather choose the uglier of the two and start chomping away at it.
What’s your live frog?
Do you hate balancing the books for the quarter? Then don’t leave it to later in the day, but start doing it in the morning. Get it out of the way. If you have a task that you don’t want to do and you leave it till later in the day, it will always be eating at you.
Eat your live frog quickly.
Slog your way through the task quickly (but not sloppily) and get it out the way. Put all of your energy into it. If it’s a physical task such as mowing the lawn, work up a sweat doing it. Try to give yourself a deadline to complete the task and challenge yourself to meet it.
Clean your plate.
Do you hate the fact that you have to clean out the garage? Then keep on cleaning it until it’s finished if you’re able to. If you have a partner or kids, get them to help you eat that live frog, too.
Keep chomping away until you’ve completely eaten the entire live frog. This is especially effective on those one-off larger tasks that need doing.
Don’t think too much or procrastinate.
It’s useless to think how bad a task is going to be and start making excuses why it’s okay to delay doing it until another time. This will cost you the sense of satisfaction that you can get from accomplishing the task. It will become a cloud of defeat over you and constantly be on your mind for failing to do what you know must be done.
Celebrate with “a yummy dessert”.
Once you’re done with your live frog, why not celebrate with a yummy dessert? This can be anything that you enjoy doing, whether it’s going for a walk, watching your favorite TV program, getting a massage, mud wrestling, or anything else that brings you pleasure.
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G'day! I'm Gordie, founder and editor-in-chief of Lifestyle Design For You. I want to welcome you to the center of the universe when it comes to lifestyle design and personal development blogs. We're a team of ten writers providing you with articles to help nourish your mind and improve your life. Lifestyle design is about designing your life so you can do what you want when you want. 
{ 35 comments… read them below or add one }
I love this tip…forgot about that video!
I’ll admit…I like to have a routine in the morning in which I work on things that make me feel comfortable. The problem is that I don’t really get anything done. I think eating an ugly frog first thing would be a great new habit to start.
I am sometimes tired when I wake up and will also do an easier and more enjoyable task until I’m fully awake. However, on days where I’m feeling fresh, I eat that wit gusto.
I haven’t heard the expression before, and it’s a great one! Any tips for dealing with a dozen or so Amazonian tree frogs?
Tree frogs make for some interesting photographic models.
Delegate where you can. Partner on some tasks perhaps. Eat one frog a week, etc.
I had started to think you had been living in China too long….
Thanks for the provocative idea Gordie
No worries, Kevin. I think I have been here too long and will be moving back to quiet, little New Zealand next year.
Hi Gordie. I enjoyed reading your analogy of swallowing a frog as doing a task we don’t like in the morning but getting it done anyway. However, what do you suggest for people who go to school in the morning?
Hi Tristan,
You can eat a live frog after school. I have to teach in the morning three days a week, so I just wait until my classes are finished and work on tasks in the afternoon.
Yuk I thought you were for real. My biggest problem is procrastinating. I have a habit of leaving small issues till later or last. Then they become big issues
Small live frogs are easier to eat than big ones.
Brian Tracy does indeed have some sound and effective advice on procrastinating and how to overcome it. Now if only there was an effective way with dealing with being overwhelmed.
Lol! I’m sure the gurus out there have an overwhelming amount of advice on how not to be overwhelmed.
To put it simply, do the ugliest of task first thing in the morning. I love that advice. I find myself always going for the easiest one first. Though I did manage to build momentum. Not all the time though. That is the only problem. Great post Gordie
Hey Karlil,
Welcome to my blog. Thanks for commenting.
I have to say that even after living in China for 10 years, the “live frog” analogy almost turned my stomach, especially your expressions like ” chomp at it” etc.
But that is the kind of writing that draws attention to your blog, Gordie! This is a great idea….doing the ugly things first thing in the morning. But it may not work for all all the time….as I may like to start off my day in a more pleasant way, and then when I am in a good mood, pepped up, prod myself to get an ugly task finished.
Nice writing and a very easy read!
Hi Amrita, long time no see!
I emphasize pragmatism on this blog. The best I advice I can give is to experiment and find out what works best for you.
Thanks for the comment!
I love this tip… I’ve heard of Brian Tracy’s book, but never read it. Now I know I need to Eat That Frog!! My frog is usually just waking up earlier, so I’m thinking that once I figure out how to chomp that one down, the rest of the day will be good.
Karen
I’m going to write a post soon on how to train oneself to become an early riser. Look out for it.
Hey Gordie, awesome tips!
I remember reading Eat That Frog on a plane to Seattle last year and I was really impressed with that book. I highly recommend it to everyone.
It is on my to read list. I think I’ll be able to read it within a year.
Great Tips Gordie – This analogy is a first for me.
I must bare that in mind when next I have ugly stuff to do.
Hey John,
Thanks for stopping by. I’m also enjoying your blog. Very useful!
Read the title and knew I was going to have read the post.
Personally I prefer my cornflakes in the morning but I like the analogy. Frogs it is tomorrow then.
Good man, Johnny!
I’m a huge fan of frog eating. What a great way to start your day. Getting that stuff you hate out of the way is such a liberating feeling.
Welcome back, Nate.
Yeah, starting on it the earlier the better. Make sure you top it off with a nice dessert too.
This is oh, so true, Gordie.
Been dieting on them for a long time. That frog just ruins your day if you allow it to. Then, the darn thing is still there. Now if I could just keep them off of my plate to begin with, it would be great, but life doesn’t work that way.
Great post!
Thanks Jimi! That’s an idea. Keep those live frogs from getting onto our plate in the first place. I think a lot of that would involve having to say, “No” a lot more.
Hi Gordie. I have a bunch of big ugly frogs I need to eat and I don’t want to. I know what you mean though. I even have the book I just have never read it. It’s on my shelf with about 70 others I haven’t got to. I read one and buy three.
Hey Stephen, thanks for dropping by. Now, it’s time to read three three books and buy one.
I do try to keep on top of my tasks, but it’s just so tempting at times to let one or two slip by, before you know you have a pile of “live frogs” to deal with. Thanks for the great tips!
Hi Mel,
I’ll have to get you to give me some diet advice. My weight is way too much! That’s a good point I never thought of, if you leave a couple of live frogs unattended they may breed more live frogs in the long term.
Thanks!
This is great concept. I love that! I definitely try to do something I hate first. That makes the rest of the work so easy.
Exactly. That’s how I feel too. I like to think, it will only get better.