Table of Contents
Introduction
As an entrepreneur, your to-do list never ends. From meetings and client follow-ups to strategy planning and product development, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Enter the “Eat That Frog” method — a powerful productivity technique made popular by Brian Tracy in his bestselling book Eat That Frog!®.
This method helps you defeat procrastination, manage time effectively, and focus on what truly moves the needle for your business. Let’s explore how it works — and how you can implement it today.
What Is the Eat That Frog Productivity Method
The idea is simple but powerful: Tackle your most difficult, high-impact task (your “frog”) first thing in the morning — before distractions take over.
Brian Tracy was inspired by a quote often attributed to Mark Twain:
“If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.”
Your “frog” is the task you’re most likely to procrastinate on, yet the one that will create the greatest positive impact on your business or life.
Why Eat That Frog Productivity Method Works for Entrepreneurs
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Focus | You concentrate your energy on high-impact goals. |
| Time Efficiency | Avoiding the frog wastes hours. Doing it early clears your day. |
| Decision Fatigue | Fewer decisions during the day means more mental bandwidth for strategy. |
| Momentum | Finishing a major task boosts confidence and motivation. |
As an entrepreneur, each hour is precious. This method keeps you laser-focused on results, not busyness.
How to Apply Eat That Frog Productivity Method in Your Business Life
Here’s how to implement it step-by-step:
- Identify Your Frog
- What’s the one task today that will have the most significant impact?
- Use the 80/20 rule (Pareto Principle) — 20% of your tasks yield 80% of results.
- Write It Down
- Use a planner, digital task manager, or even sticky notes.
- Check out this guide on how to effectively track your progress.
- Do It First
- Don’t check email, don’t scroll social media. Do the frog first.
- Turn off notifications and block out 1–2 hours of deep work.
- Repeat Daily
- Make it a habit. Over time, this method compounds and leads to massive productivity gains.
- Manage Mental Clutter
- Reduce distractions, delegate smaller tasks, and learn how to close non-productive arguments.
Bonus Tips for Mastering the Eat That Frog Productivity Method
- Use the Eisenhower Matrix to prioritize frogs: Important vs. Urgent.
- Break your frog into bite-sized chunks if it feels overwhelming.
- Reward yourself once the task is done — it trains your brain positively.
External Resources Worth Exploring
- Brian Tracy’s book on Amazon: Eat That Frog!®
- Watch Brian Tracy explain the method in a short YouTube video
- Learn about the Pomodoro Technique to combine with this method for better timeboxing.
Final Thoughts
Entrepreneurship is all about priorities. The “Eat That Frog” productivity method trains you to focus on results, not tasks. Once you embrace this method, you’ll find yourself achieving more, worrying less, and building your business with purpose.
Start tomorrow by identifying your frog — and commit to eating it first.
Disclaimer
The concept of “Eat That Frog” is credited to Brian Tracy, a renowned productivity author and speaker. “Eat That Frog!®” is a registered trademark of Brian Tracy International. This article shares the concept for educational and productivity improvement purposes only and does not claim ownership of the term or its intellectual property.