"Eat That Frog!" by Brian Tracy

Develop the habits of success

"If the first thing you do each morning is to eat a live frog, you can go through the day with the satisfaction of knowing that that is probably the worst thing that is going to happen to you all day long."

Rule 1: If you have to eat two frogs, eat the ugliest one first.

Rule 2: If you have to eat a live frog at all, it doesn't pay to sit and look at it for very long.

1. Think on paper:

Decide on your goals *use the present tense
Write it down
Set a deadline
Break it down into tasks
Organize the list into a plan {use ◻ > ○ }
Take action immediately
Resolve to do something every single day that moves you toward your major goal

2. Plan every day in advance:

Write your list the night before
Always work from a list {if something comes up, add it to the list}
Create a master list, and from that a monthly, weekly, and daily list
Sequence the list

3. Apply the 80/20 rule to everything:

If you have 10 tasks, what are the 2 that will provide the most value. Do those first!

4. Consider the consequences:

There will never be enough time to do everything you have to do.

What are your biggest frogs?
What can only I do?
What is the most valuable use of my time?

5. Practice creative procrastination:

Tell yourself "I'm going to procrastinate on the small tasks by doing the big tasks first."

Practice zero-based thinking: if I wasn't already doing this thing (eg. scrolling Instagram) would I start doing it today knowing what I know now.

6. Use the ABCDE method:

A. The Frogs (in order of priority A1, A2, A3, etc.)
B. The Should's (not a must, eg. check email)
C. Nice to do's
D. Delegate
E. Eliminate

7. Focus on key result areas:

Why am I on the pay roll?
What are the 5-7 key result areas of your job
Grade yourself (1-10) in each of those areas
Improve the lowest graded area: it's likely the one you procrastinate doing

8. Apply the law of three:

What is the task that you do that creates the most value (at work)? The 2nd? 3rd?
Spend 90% of your time on these
Do the same for the personal, financial, health, business areas of your life

9. Prepare thoroughly before you begin:

Create a comfortable, tidy work environment
Put out only the tools you need for that task
Make sure you have all the tools you need for it

10. Take it one step at a time:

Choose a goal/project you're procrastinating from and list all the tasks you need to do to complete it
Then start immediately by completing one small task {start small; 5 minutes and the rest will flow}

11. Upgrade your key skills:

Be more productive by getting better at your key tasks.

Spend 60 minutes reading on your subject every morning
Listen to audiobooks/podcasts on your commute
Attend workshops/seminars

12. Identify your key constraints:

Identify the limiting factor to how quickly/well you can get something done
Apply the 80/20 rule to constraints: 80% are internal, only 20% are external
Look into yourself: what is it in me that is holding me back?
Strive for accuracy: find the right constraint

13. Put the pressure on yourself (no-one else can)

With imaginary deadlines: what if you were offered an all-expenses holiday starting tomorrow?
Impose deadlines to every task - don't let yourself off the hook!
Write out how long each task will take - race yourself!

14. Motivate yourself into action

Talk to yourself positively all the time
Visualize your goals/ideals
Accept responsibility for yourself

15. Unplug

Create zones of escape from technology: one in the morning, one in the evening, one day a week; get up, have breakfast, shower, dress without checking devices
Apply the 80/20 rule to email and unsubscribe from the unnecessary
Only check email twice a day (set up autoresponder?)

16. Make technology a servant, not a master

Clear your digital workspace
Reduce the number of methods of communication you use
Turn off notifications
Block distracting websites
Schedule chunks of time for concentrated work

17. Focus: don't get attracted by distraction

When you check your email or respond to a message notification, your brain releases a tiny shot of dopamine, which is related to addiction. Don't start your day off like this.

Check email after 90 minutes of concentrated work (am & pm), as a reward
Before you do something (eg. check internet, or multitask) ask yourself is this important, or is it a distraction?

18. Slice & dice the task

Break up a formidable task into 5-10 minute tasks and resolve to complete just one. You'll soon feel compelled to continue because of the sense of achievement from completing even one (small) task.

19. Create large chunks of time

Schedule specific activities in pre-planned time slots each day (task batching / day theming)

20. Develop a sense of urgency

When you regularly take action on your goals, you create momentum. It's easier to keep going. The faster you move, the more energy you have.

Repeat to yourself: Do it now! Back to work!

21. Single-handle every task

Once you've decided what is the most important task, concentrate only on that one. You'll get it done 50% quicker.