{"id":342,"date":"2017-05-22T12:35:00","date_gmt":"2017-05-22T10:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/?p=342"},"modified":"2022-02-22T02:00:00","modified_gmt":"2022-02-22T00:00:00","slug":"eat-frog-technique","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/productivity\/eat-frog-technique\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cEat the Frog\u201d to Boost Your Productivity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Mark Twain once said: <em>\u201cEat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.\u201d&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even though times have significantly changed since this world-renowned author shed these words of wisdom, the statement still holds true. Nowadays, although the prospects of eating an <em>actual<\/em> live frog are daunting, we can interpret these \u201cfrogs\u201d as the tasks we dread.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Stick with us in this blog post and we\u2019ll shed some light on the following topics:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The meaning<\/strong> behind Twain\u2019s \u201cfrog\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Brian Tracy\u2019s implementation of <strong>\u201ceating the frog\u201d<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tips on <strong>mastering and prioritizing<\/strong> one\u2019s time in a work day<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Advantages and disadvantages<\/strong> of using this technique<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How to use and apply the \u201ceat the frog\u201d technique<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"what-does-the-phrase-eat-that-frog-mean\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What does the phrase \u201cEat that frog\u201d mean?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cEating that frog\u201d means you have to do the task you dread <em>first<\/em>, before all other tasks. Once you have \u201ceaten\u201d your \u201cfrog\u201d, you can rest assured that the worst is behind you, so you\u2019re likely to take on a positive approach throughout your day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In other words, \u201cthe frog\u201d is an abstract representation of the obligation you\u2019ve been putting off, hoping it\u2019ll resolve itself or get done in the meantime \u2014 which is a faulty, preconceived idea that leads to decreased performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"who-said-eat-that-frog\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who said \u201cEat that frog\u201d?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Brian Tracy, author of one of <a href=\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/productivity\/best-books-productivity\/\">the best books on productivity<\/a> \u2014 <em>Eat That Frog! 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time<\/em> \u2014 was the one who coined the term, inspired by the previously mentioned Mark Twain\u2019s quote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In his book, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=iDV1sSoL0_I\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Tracy advocates<\/a> that focusing on your most important task, i.e. \u201cugliest frog\u201d, is the best way to gain success, status, respect, and happiness in life \u2014 hence the whimsical name of his time management technique, i.e. \u201cEat that frog\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Aside from recognizing the issue, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/95887.Eat_That_Frog_\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">in this book<\/a>, Tracy also goes in-depth to showcase some of the best techniques to actually deal with your \u201cfrogs\u201d in a way that can be accomplished by anyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"who-can-use-the-eat-that-frog-technique\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who can use the \u201cEat that frog\u201d technique?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The highest percentage of people that are looking into this topic are usually business-oriented people searching for creative and quick solutions to boost their productivity levels. However, \u201ceating your frogs\u201d can be applied to various fields other than professional ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In essence, this technique is great for anyone who:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Juggles multiple projects at a time,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Faces deadlines throughout the week,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Has trouble focusing on a specific task,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Isn\u2019t used to a daily routine, and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Has issues prioritizing tasks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"what-tasks-can-be-frogs\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What tasks can be \u201cfrogs\u201d?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In essence, any task can be a \u201cfrog\u201d \u2014 as long as you <a href=\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/productivity\/procrastination-guide\/\">procrastinate to no end<\/a> before doing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the following types of tasks are most likely to be classified as \u201cfrogs\u201d:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"an-extremely-difficult-task\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">An <strong>extremely difficult<\/strong> task<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a task you keep putting off because:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It would take too much of your time,&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It\u2019s too difficult, or&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It\u2019s simply boring.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, your \u201cfrog\u201d may be doing an extensive research for a project, or filling out <a href=\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/apps-tools\/best-accounting-tools\/\">a lot of accounting paperwork<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"an-extremely-important-task\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">An <strong>extremely important<\/strong> task<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a task you keep putting off because it\u2019s too important to be glossed over \u2014 but, it also seems to be too demanding for you to fully focus on it for a longer period of time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Quite often, the fear of negative feedback or undesired outcome can greatly affect your confidence and willingness to do a certain task. Therefore, you postpone it until the very last minute and often find yourself in a time-scramble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, it can be a call to a demanding client, or cost and <a href=\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/business\/make-precise-time-estimates\/\">time estimates<\/a> you have to set for an elusive project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"an-extremely-important-and-difficult-task\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">An <strong>extremely important <em>and<\/em> difficult<\/strong> task<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes, if you\u2019re <em>really<\/em> out of luck, a task can be both boring <em>and<\/em> crucial for your work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are a student, you might find yourself in a situation where you have to finish a project or an essay in a couple of hours because you\u2019ve procrastinated for too long. Writing a 50-page paper is difficult enough as it is, let alone with time constraints \u2014 especially if you\u2019re working towards a passing grade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"how-to-eat-that-frog\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to \u201cEat that frog\u201d?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The gist to the \u201cEat that frog\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/time-management-techniques\">time management technique<\/a> is simple:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Label your tasks to identify your \u201cfrog\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Work on your \u201cfrog\u201d first thing in the morning<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Once done with the \u201cfrog\u201d, shift your focus to less crucial tasks in your schedule<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>In order to properly label your tasks and identify frogs, you\u2019ll need to <strong>prioritize<\/strong> \u2014 by using <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boxuk.com\/insight\/the-eisenhower-matrix-a-practical-prioritisation-technique\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">the <strong>Eisenhower Matrix<\/strong> time management technique<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By proxy, the Eisenhower Matrix labels tasks according to their level of importance and urgency \u2014 but the system works just as well with \u201cfrogs\u201d.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First, you\u2019ll need to create a list of tasks you have to do the following day. Then, divide your to-do items into 4 quadrants, describing how much you want and need to do a task:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Quadrant 1<\/strong> \u2014 tasks you don\u2019t want to do, but need to do<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Quadrant 2<\/strong> \u2014 tasks you want to do, and also need to do<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Quadrant 3<\/strong> \u2014 tasks you want to do, but don\u2019t need to do<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Quadrant 4<\/strong> \u2014 tasks you don\u2019t want to do, and also don\u2019t need to do<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Your \u201cfrogs\u201d are always the tasks you place in <strong>Quadrant 1<\/strong> \u2014 i.e. the daily tasks you don\u2019t want to do, but still need to do. At the start of each workday, simply work on the task from <strong>Quadrant 1<\/strong> \u2014 only once you finish this task, should you move on to the tasks from the other quadrants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It may seem relatively easy to accomplish, but the gist is not in the order in which you perform the tasks \u2014 it\u2019s setting the precedent that you must not move on the next quadrant until you\u2019ve completed the tasks from the previous one.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you get accustomed to the routine of jumping through quadrants, you should notice a spike in your overall performance. Therefore, applying the Eisenhower Matrix method can be your first step towards learning how to \u201cEat the frog\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"banner banner-dark clockify-gradient-landing-2\">\n    <div class=\"banner-text lg:pr-[6rem]\">\n        <span class=\"h4 text-lg translation-block mb-0\">Free time tracker<\/span>\n        <p class=\"translation-block mt-1 mb-3\">Time tracking software used by millions. Clockify is a time tracker and timesheet app that lets you track work hours across projects.<\/p>\n\n        <div class=\"banner-buttons d-flex gap-4 align-items-center translation-block justify-content-center justify-content-sm-start\">\n            <a class=\"bg-white rounded px-3 py-1 text-gray-dark\" href=\"https:\/\/app.clockify.me\/en\/signup\" target=\"_blank\">Sign up<\/a>\n\n                            <a class=\"button-2\" href=\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/apps\" target=\"_blank\">Learn more<\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"banner-image banner-image-middle \">\n        <picture>\n            <source srcset=\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/cake-blog\/theme\/images\/banners\/clockify\/landing-2@2x.png 2x\" alt=\"Illustration\"  media=\"(min-width: 1022px)\" \/>\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/cake-blog\/theme\/images\/banners\/clockify\/landing-2.png\"  alt=\"Illustration\" \/>\n        <\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n    \n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"what-if-you-have-2-frogs\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What if you have 2 \u201cfrogs\u201d?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>No two ugly frogs are equally ugly, and no two tasks are equally problematic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But, when in doubt about several potential \u201cfrogs\u201d, Tracy advises you use the <strong>ABCDE technique<\/strong> to identify the task you should tackle first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once again, you should create a list of tasks you have to do the following day. Then, label them with letters:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>\u201cA\u201d<\/strong> \u2014 your <strong>most important task<\/strong>, the one most likely to have serious consequences if you don\u2019t finish it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>\u201cB\u201d<\/strong> \u2014the <strong>next most important task<\/strong>, the one not as serious in terms of consequences, but still important.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>\u201cC\u201d<\/strong> \u2014the task that <strong>you<\/strong> <strong>could do<\/strong>, but it wouldn\u2019t have any real consequences if you didn\u2019t do it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>\u201cD\u201d<\/strong> \u2014 the task that <strong>you can delegate<\/strong> to someone, <strong>to free more time<\/strong> for doing the \u201cA\u201d task.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>\u201cE\u201d<\/strong> \u2014 the task that you don\u2019t really have to do, so you can <strong>eliminate it<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"309\" src=\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/ABCDE-method-1.png\" alt=\"ABCDE method\" class=\"wp-image-12214\" srcset=\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/ABCDE-method-1.png 700w, https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/ABCDE-method-1-300x132.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The important thing is that you don\u2019t move on to the \u201cB\u201d task, or any other task, until you\u2019re finished with the \u201cA\u201d task.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Differentiating between tasks and determining which one is more important than the other could be problematic. So, the best way to organize your time is to make a list of tasks and put them all together.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Take into account the factors that are universal, i.e. \u2014 deadlines, the time it takes to complete them, the level of research, and difficulty \u2014 and you\u2019ll have a clearer picture regarding the distribution of tasks to each label (<strong>ABCDE<\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"eating-that-frog-with-an-app\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u201cEating that frog\u201d with an app<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are several apps that are designed to help you \u201cEat your frog\u201d \u2014 let\u2019s see how you can apply this time management technique with the free time tracker <a href=\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/\">Clockify<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1. First, create a project where you\u2019ll manage your regular tasks and \u201cfrogs\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"104\" src=\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/creating-a-project-based-on-eat-that-frog-technique.png\" alt=\"creating-a-project-based-on-eat-that-frog-technique\" class=\"wp-image-12205\" srcset=\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/creating-a-project-based-on-eat-that-frog-technique.png 700w, https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/creating-a-project-based-on-eat-that-frog-technique-300x45.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>2. Add tasks to this project \u2013 when naming the tasks,&nbsp; implement the <strong>ABCDE technique <\/strong>to mark them in order of importance<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"276\" src=\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/adding-ABCDE-tasks.png\" alt=\"adding-ABCDE-tasks\" class=\"wp-image-12206\" srcset=\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/adding-ABCDE-tasks.png 700w, https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/adding-ABCDE-tasks-300x118.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>3. Once you have a clear list of your tasks for that day, you can select the \u201cTASK A\u201d in the time tracker and start working on it, before starting work on \u201cTASK B\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"131\" src=\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/picking-a-project-in-Clockify.png\" alt=\"picking-a-project-in-Clockify\" class=\"wp-image-12207\" srcset=\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/picking-a-project-in-Clockify.png 700w, https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/picking-a-project-in-Clockify-300x56.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>4. You can leave \u201cTASK C\u201d for later, delegate, or assign the \u201cTASK D\u201d to other members of your team in the project\u2019s Task tab, and simply delete the \u201cE\u201d task from your schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group pro-tip\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\ud83d\udca1 <strong>Clockify pro tip<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re working on a project with a team of multiple people, keeping track of your <a href=\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/help\/projects\/scheduling\">teammates\u2019 schedules<\/a> will make a huge impact on productivity and delegating tasks.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"theories-that-support-eating-that-frog\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Theories that support \u201cEating that frog\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A couple of theories support the premise that you should do the most important task first, as is advised in the \u201cEat that frog\u201d technique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplypsychology.org\/primacy-recency.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">the Serial-position effect<\/a>, when people have to remember items on a list, they are more likely to remember the first and last items better than the middle ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/deepblue.lib.umich.edu\/items\/71dc65ec-1b5e-4039-a9a9-d797108918ce\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Attention decrement hypothesis<\/a>, people are more likely to pay attention to the information they hear first, than the information that follows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This effect and hypothesis support the idea that you should do the most important or most difficult task first, because you are more likely to be able to focus on it at the beginning of the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"advantages-of-eating-that-frog\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Advantages of \u201cEating that frog\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It might seem scary, but dealing with your frog often outweighs the discomfort and cons that come with putting it off.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"eating-that-frog-develops-a-positive-addiction\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u201cEating that frog\u201d develops a positive addiction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In his book, Tracy also refers to developing a type of \u201cpositive addiction\u201d that stems from the sense of accomplishment you get when you finish a complex task. The release of <strong>endorphins<\/strong> \u2014 neurotransmitters that increase the pleasure levels in your brain \u2014 becomes associated with your work and regular completion of tasks, which in turn develops into a positive addiction.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He also notes that individuals who develop this type of \u201cdependency\u201d often experience high levels of clarity and confidence, even outside the professional spheres of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"eating-that-frog-is-an-impact-driven-technique\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u201cEating that frog\u201d is an impact-driven technique<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Doing the most difficult or the most important task first thing in the morning will have a great positive impact on the rest of your day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This little achievement will help energize and motivate you, and you will glide through the rest of the day because you\u2019ll know that all the other tasks that await you are easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"eating-that-frog-makes-prioritizing-easier\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u201cEating that frog\u201d makes prioritizing easier<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When you start thinking about your tasks in order to find \u201cfrogs\u201d, you\u2019ll gain a great perspective about your daily workload.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll be more likely to recognize what tasks aren\u2019t important, what tasks you can discard entirely and what tasks you should really focus on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In contrast, if you don\u2019t prioritize your tasks, and do your work in random order, you may spend too much time on trivial tasks, and have no time left for your most important assignments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"eating-that-frog-leaves-you-with-more-time-for-enjoyable-tasks\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u201cEating that frog\u201d leaves you with more time for enjoyable tasks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Everyone has a certain type of task they don\u2019t enjoy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some don\u2019t like creating project estimates, some don\u2019t like writing reports, and some don\u2019t like making phone calls or answering emails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In any case, if you do these \u201cdreadful\u201d tasks first thing in the morning, you\u2019ll feel like you have more time for tasks you actually enjoy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"disadvantages-of-eating-that-frog\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Disadvantages of \u201cEating that frog\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This time management technique also comes with some disadvantages \u2014 at least to some people, and in some situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s why \u201cEating that frog\u201d may be a challenge to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"eating-that-frog-makes-the-start-of-the-day-difficult\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u201cEating that frog\u201d makes the start of the day difficult<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Focusing on a new \u201cfrog\u201d each day can be difficult, because we are essentially labeling out the start of our workday as the time for our worst ghouls, which may be demoralizing on its own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But, discipline and practice can help you finish these worst tasks faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In order to finish these \u201cfrogs\u201d faster, you can practice your \u201cability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task\u201d, or <strong>\u201cdeep work\u201d<\/strong>, as Cal Newport calls it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you start this demanding task, don\u2019t shift your focus on anything else until you\u2019ve finished it; you can take breaks, but when you\u2019re working, avoid distractions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By practicing your ability <a href=\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/managing-time\/deep-work\/\">to perform \u201cdeep work\u201d<\/a>,&nbsp; you\u2019ll finish these important tasks faster, move on to \u201cregular\u201d tasks quicker, and even finish your daily workload earlier in the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll have a great sense of progress, which will help you feel more motivated, and<a href=\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/productivity\/increase-productivity\/\"> your productivity levels will be on the rise<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"eating-that-frog-may-be-too-rigid-and-impractical-at-times\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u201cEating that frog\u201d may be too rigid and impractical at times<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The rules of the \u201cEat that frog\u201d technique state that you must tackle the most important\/difficult task first, which can be a strict rule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What if your most important task changes during the course of the day, and you have to focus on something else?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In such cases, it\u2019s best that you act according to your new priorities. For example, you can add the new task on your ABCDE list and label it as \u201cA\u201d, marking all the other tasks as less urgent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the end, the best you can do to thwart the disadvantages and make the most of the advantages of this technique, use the \u201cEat that frog\u201d rules as a starting point \u2014 and tweak them to fit your needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"eating-that-frog-may-not-be-dynamic-enough-for-everyone\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u201cEating that frog\u201d may not be dynamic enough for everyone<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Having a workplace routine is a good thing when you need to finish a lot of tasks each day. But, it can also be overwhelming with each passing day. This results in <a href=\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/productivity-statistics\">decreased productivity<\/a> due to lack of motivation, which in turn results in employee disengagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In relation to our topic, the ABCDE technique combined with \u201cthe frog\u201d can nurture a lack of creativity, which may reflect poorly on your performance. Therefore, it\u2019s important that you learn to recognize when this technique is useful and when you should go \u201coff the books\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"tips-for-eating-that-frog-easier\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tips for \u201cEating that frog\u201d easier<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ve made it here, read everything, and you\u2019re still left confused on how to resolve the issue of doing your worst task first. Well, here are some frog-eating tips that\u2019ll surely be of benefit to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"practice-planning\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Practice planning<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The \u201cEat that frog\u201d technique is all about planning, as you:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Think about your tasks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Write your ideas down<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Make priorities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Identify your goals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Take necessary actions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>It may sound time-consuming to write down all your tasks each day, but this actually saves you time. According to Tracy, 1 minute of planning may save you as much as 5 \u201310 minutes during execution, if planned out right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As time goes by, creating these lists and prioritizing tasks on paper will become a habit, and you\u2019ll learn to do it faster, which will save you even more time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"build-a-sense-of-momentum\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Build a sense of momentum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Once <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=4ysyybi4068&amp;ab_channel=BrianTracy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">you have made your plan<\/a>, don\u2019t hesitate, just dive right into your work. Focus on what you are doing, and focus on your goals and objectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll notice that it\u2019s much harder to start working on a task than to continue working on it. This is known as building your momentum \u2014 once we start going, we\u2019ll keep going until we reach a sense of accomplishment.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, if you feel demoralized at the thought of doing your most demanding tasks first thing in the morning, remember that the first step is always the hardest. It\u2019ll be easier once you gain momentum and really focus on the task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"parse-the-tasks-into-smaller-chunks\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Parse the tasks into smaller chunks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When working, people love the feeling of reaching their goals, because they love the sense of completion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But, reaching the end goal of a project may seem far from reach, especially when you\u2019re just starting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In order to get that sense of completion at equal intervals in the project, and not just at its end, you should parse your project into smaller tasks \u2014 this will make your goals seem more manageable, because you\u2019ll be striving for one part of that goal at a time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, your \u201cfrog\u201d is a project you have to complete in 2 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, you put this project on paper, and notice you can parse it into 3 tasks \u2014 these tasks are parts of a larger goal, and you can treat them like mini-goals you have to complete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you complete each of the three mini-goals, you should take a short break and reward yourself for your efforts thus far.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll feel a sense of completion, and the end of the project will come quicker than expected, at least from a psychological point of view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group pro-tip\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\ud83d\udca1 <strong>Clockify pro tip<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Want to make sure you stick to a routine and take breaks from your \u201cfrogs\u201d? Combine \u201cEat that Frog\u201d with the \u201cPomodoro\u201d time management technique, and work with a <a href=\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/pomodoro-timer\">Pomodoro Timer<\/a> that automatically tells you when to take a break from your \u201cfrogs\u201d or resume work on them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"custom-btn\"><a href=\"https:\/\/app.clockify.me\/en\/signup\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Get Clockify by CAKE.com FREE<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"final-words\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final words<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Eating your frog, i.e. dealing with your most demanding task first thing in the morning is like the wind beneath your wings when it comes to your work schedule \u2014 because finishing 1 <em>crucial<\/em> task will always bring your quicker, more efficient results, less fatigue, and a stronger sense of accomplishment than finishing 5 out of 6 mundane tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And that\u2019s why you should always aim for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group #e5f6fe\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u2709\ufe0f If this blog post about the famed time management technique was enough to intrigue you, tell us about your experience and some of the ways you think you can improve on the \u201cEat the frog\u201d technique at <a href=\"mailto:blogfeedback@clockify.me\">blogfeedback@clockify.me<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How does \u201ceat that frog\u201d technique improve efficiency and how does it affect time management? Find it out in this blog post.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":12201,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-342","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-productivity"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/342","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/26"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=342"}],"version-history":[{"count":44,"href":"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/342\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":37499,"href":"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/342\/revisions\/37499"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12201"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=342"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=342"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=342"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}