Eat That Frog Part 1

Have you heard the expression “Eat That Frog” before? It’s the phrase that Brian Tracy uses “as a metaphor for tackling the most challenging task of your day.”

Many of us procrastinate when it comes getting started on tasks we don’t really want to do. I’d like to share some information from EAT THAT FROG! 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time (ISBN 978-1-57675-422-1)–one of my favourite productivity books.

Here are Brian’s first 7 ways to stop procrastinating and get more things done faster.

1. “Set the table: Decide exactly what you want. Clarity is essential. Write out your … objectives before you begin.

2. Plan every day in advance: Think on paper. Every minute [spent planning can reduce your actual time spent on action by five or ten minutes].

3. Apply the 80/20 Rule to everything: Twenty percent of your activities will account for 80 percent of your results. Always concentrate your efforts on that top 20 percent.

4. Consider the consequences: Your most important tasks and priorities are those that can have the most serious consequences, positive or negative, on your life or work. Focus on these above all else.

5. Practice creative procrastination: Since you can’t do everything, you must learn to deliberately put off those tasks that are of low value so that you have enough time to do the few things that really count.

6. Use the ABCDE Method continually: Before you begin work on a list of tasks, take a few moments to organize them by value and priority so you can be sure of working on your most important activities.

7. Focus on key result areas: Identify and determine those results that you absolutely, positively have to get to do your [work] well, and work on them all day long.”

Stay tuned to the next edition for more tips!

Take action and EAT THAT FROG!