Eat that frog: do the most horrible task first

Do you know that feeling? You start your workday with good intentions, but somewhere on your to-do list there’s a task you’ve been dreading for days (or even weeks). It’s a job you keep putting off because it’s difficult, boring, or simply unpleasant. You know it needs to be done, but you keep pushing it ahead of you. Meanwhile, that task hangs over your head like a dark cloud. Sound familiar? Then it’s time to take a serious look at the time management concept of eating the frog.

What does ‘eating the frog’ mean?

‘Swallow that frog’ or ‘Eat that frog’ is a well-known time management method, introduced by Brian Tracy and inspired by a quote from Mark Twain: “Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” The frog symbolizes the task you dread the most—the biggest, hardest, or least appealing job of the day.

The idea is simple: start your day by finishing that one task. Once you’ve eaten the frog, you’ll feel relieved and energized for the rest of the day. You prevent procrastination, build self-confidence, and make room for the things you actually enjoy. (Read more about procrastination in this blog post.)

Why does it work?

Procrastination drains your energy. Every time you see that annoying task, you feel a bit of tension or guilt. Your brain is subconsciously occupied with it, even when you’re doing something else. By tackling the frog first, you prevent that negative energy from affecting your day.

Moreover, you usually have the most willpower and concentration at the start of the day. That’s the perfect moment to handle difficult things—not at the end of the day when you’re already tired and your mind is full.

How do you eat the frog? Practical steps

1. Identify your frog
   Look at your task list and decide: what is my biggest ‘frog’ today? What do I keep putting off, but is actually important? This could be a difficult phone call, a complicated report, a conversation with a colleague, or an administrative task.
2. Make it smaller
   Sometimes a frog seems so big that you don’t even start. Break the task into pieces. What’s the very first small step? For example: just open the file, make a list of what you need, or ask someone for input.
3. Plan your frog moment
   Block time in your calendar, preferably at the start of your workday. Turn off your phone, close your email, and focus solely on that task. Treat it as an appointment with yourself.
   If you like, set a timer—dedicate that chunk of time to your frog. You can also designate a fixed day of the week as ‘frog day’ to make it part of your routine.
4. Just do it
   Don’t overthink, don’t endlessly prepare. Just start. The longer you wait, the bigger (and uglier) the frog becomes in your mind.
5. Tell others about your intention
   Maybe they can help hold you accountable. Or you can each work on your own frog; a problem shared is a problem halved.
6. Celebrate the result
   Done? Take a moment to acknowledge that you did it. Feel the difference: the rest of your day feels lighter, and you have more energy for other things.

Practical examples

• Calling the difficult client
  You know you have to call a client who isn’t satisfied. Not fun, but important. Start your day with it, so you can move on feeling relieved.
• Tackling a pile of admin
  That stack of files that’s been on your desk for a week? Make it your first task, so you have a clear overview for the rest of the day.
• Addressing a colleague’s behavior
  Difficult conversations are often postponed. Put it at the top of your list so you don’t spend the whole day worrying about it.

What if you have multiple frogs?

Sometimes there are several unpleasant tasks on your list. Choose the biggest, ugliest frog first. Need to do two? Start with the worst. The rest will feel easier.

Or set yourself a quota, making your list smaller by ticking off at least two frogs each week.

When doesn’t it work?

Eating the frog works best for tasks that are important but postponed because they’re difficult or unpleasant. It’s not a magic solution for tasks that don’t actually need to be done, or that you could better delegate. Always ask yourself: is this really my task?

In conclusion

Eating the frog isn’t a magical fix, but it’s a powerful tool to break the cycle of procrastination and gain more control over your day. Try starting tomorrow with your biggest frog—you’ll notice how much energy and peace it brings.

Which frog is sitting on your desk? Do you dare to tackle it first?

Good luck!