Eat that frog

“””Eat That Frog!””: A Book That Makes Procrastination Feel Like Yesterday’s Problem

Brian Tracy’s “”Eat That Frog!”” gets its memorable title from Mark Twain’s famous quote: if you eat a live frog first thing in the morning, nothing worse can happen the rest of your day. In Tracy’s world, your “”frog”” is your biggest, most important task – the one you’re most likely to procrastinate on.

I picked up this book expecting another dry productivity manual. Instead, I found something refreshingly different. Tracy doesn’t waste time with complex systems or fancy apps. His message is simple: identify your worst task, then do it first. No excuses, no delays, no checking email “”just for a minute.””

The book’s strength lies in its practicality. Tracy breaks down productivity into 21 digestible rules, but unlike other authors who’d turn this into a mechanical checklist, he weaves these principles into a coherent philosophy. Take his approach to planning: instead of advocating for rigid hourly schedules, he suggests spending 10 minutes planning your day, arguing that each minute spent planning saves 10 in execution.

Some of Tracy’s best insights come from his take on the 80/20 rule. He argues that 20% of your tasks will account for 80% of your valuable outcomes. This isn’t groundbreaking math, but his application is clever: focus on identifying that crucial 20% and do those tasks first, when your energy is highest.

What sets this book apart is how it addresses the psychology of procrastination. Tracy understands that productivity isn’t just about time management – it’s about managing ourselves. He tackles the emotional barriers that keep us from starting difficult tasks, offering practical strategies for building momentum and maintaining motivation.

The book isn’t perfect. Some concepts feel repetitive, and a few chapters could have been combined. Tracy’s enthusiasm occasionally ventures into motivational-speaker territory, which might put off more cynical readers. And if you’re looking for cutting-edge digital productivity tools, you won’t find them here – the principles are deliberately old-school.

But that’s also part of its charm. In an age of productivity apps and complex organizational systems, there’s something refreshing about Tracy’s back-to-basics approach. The core message – tackle your hardest task first – might seem obvious, but it’s amazing how often we avoid it.

Does it work? Well, I wrote this review first thing this morning, instead of checking social media or answering emails. So yes, I’d say it does. The book’s real value isn’t in revealing revolutionary new techniques, but in reminding us of what we already know: procrastination dies in the face of decisive action.

For anyone struggling with productivity or procrastination (and let’s be honest, that’s most of us), “”Eat That Frog!”” offers a clear, actionable path forward. It won’t revolutionize your life overnight, but it might just help you face that task you’ve been avoiding. And sometimes, that’s all the revolution we need.”