Eat The Frog: The Productivity Hack That Saves Me 132 Minutes Each Day!
What if I told you that I’ve found a super simple (and free!) productivity hacks that saves me an average of 132 minutes each day (yes I did the maths!).
I’m talking about the Eat the Frog productivity method. If you’ve never heard of it, don’t worry—you’re not about to get a lesson in amphibian cuisine. This is about tackling your biggest, ugliest tasks first thing in the morning so you can save time, reduce stress, and actually feel accomplished before your second cup of coffee.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Why would I willingly eat the ugliest frog on my to-do list first thing in the morning? Can’t I just warm up with something easier?”
Well, by dealing with your most dreaded task first, you set yourself up for a day full of momentum, productivity, and (dare I say) smug satisfaction.
And because I’m a total daily habits nerd, I did the math: by eating my frog first thing, I save at least 132 minutes a day. That’s over two hours I would’ve wasted procrastinating, avoiding the task, and obsessively refreshing my inbox instead. Intrigued? Let’s dive into what Eat the Frog is all about and how you can use it to reclaim your time and sanity.
What Does “Eat the Frog” Even Mean?
Before you grab a fork, let’s unpack this weird phrase. The term “eat the frog” comes from a quote 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.” Basically, your “frog” is the task you least want to do but absolutely need to get done.
In the context of productivity, your frog is that ugly, intimidating task that makes you groan just thinking about it. It’s the thing you’d rather put off until “later,” which we all know is code for “never.”
For me, frogs include things like writing a tricky email, starting a big project, or dealing with anything remotely admin-related. But here’s the thing: once you eat that metaphorical frog, everything else on your to-do list feels like a piece of cake
Why it works
The logic is simple. When you tackle your hardest task first, you’re:
Getting it out of the way while your brain is fresh.
Boosting your confidence for the rest of the day.
Saving yourself from the mental drain of procrastination.
Why Procrastination is Killing Your Productivity
Let’s be honest: procrastination feels good in the moment. Scrolling TikTok, organizing your desk, or convincing yourself that you need another cup of coffee before you start—it’s all so much easier than diving into that dreaded task.
But here’s the ugly truth: procrastination doesn’t just waste time; it actively drains your energy. While you’re busy avoiding your frog, it’s sitting there in the back of your mind, gnawing away at your focus and making even the simplest tasks feel heavier
Think about it: how many times have you spent hours dreading something, only to realize that actually doing the task took 20 minutes? Yeah, me too.
The Procrastination Loop
Here’s how it works:
• Step 1: You avoid your frog.
• Step 2: You feel guilty for avoiding it.
• Step 3: You stress about how much time you’ve wasted.
• Step 4: You avoid it some more.
It’s a vicious cycle that keeps you stuck and overwhelmed. The Eat the Frog method breaks that cycle by forcing you to face the frog head-on.
How to Identify Your Frog
Okay, so how do you figure out which task is your frog?
It’s pretty simple: your frog is the one thing on your to-do list that makes you cringe the hardest. It’s the task that’s most likely to ruin your day if you don’t get it done.
Ask yourself these questions
• What’s the one task I’ve been avoiding?
• Which task will have the biggest impact on my day, week, or goals?
• If I could only accomplish one thing today, what would it be?
The answers to these questions will usually point straight to your frog.
Prioritize Like a Pro
Sometimes, you might have more than one frog (lucky you). In that case, pick the biggest, ugliest one. If you’re unsure, use the 80/20 rule: identify the task that will give you the highest return on investment for your time and energy.
Let’s say you’re a freelancer. Your to-do list includes:
1. Sending an overdue invoice.
2. Brainstorming ideas for a client project.
3. Responding to non-urgent emails.
The frog? Definitely sending that overdue invoice. It’s uncomfortable, but it’s also the most impactful task because, hello, money!
How Eating the Frog Saves Time
Here’s the thing about frogs: they’re time thieves. The longer you avoid them, the more time and mental energy they steal.
When you eat your frog first thing, you set a productive tone for the rest of your day. It’s like a domino effect. Once you’ve tackled the hardest task, everything else feels manageable—even enjoyable.
For example, let’s say you spend 20 minutes dealing with your frog at 9 AM. That’s 20 minutes of discomfort, but it frees up your entire day. Compare that to spending hours procrastinating, stressing, and half-heartedly working on easier tasks. Which sounds better?
Your brain only has so much willpower and focus to give each day. By tackling your hardest task first, you’re using your mental energy when it’s at its peak. This means you’ll get it done faster and with less effort.
When you delay your frog, you end up wasting time debating when to do it. Should I do it before lunch? After lunch? Tomorrow? Stop the madness and just get it done.
How to Start Eating the Frog
Alright, so how do you actually put this into practice? Don’t worry, you don’t need a fancy planner or a willpower upgrade. Just follow these steps:
Step 1: Plan Your Frog the Night Before
Before you go to bed, write down your frog for the next day. This way, you wake up knowing exactly what needs to get done. No decision-making required.
Step 2: Do It First Thing in the Morning
As soon as you start your workday, tackle your frog. Don’t check your emails, don’t scroll Instagram, and definitely don’t get sucked into random busywork.
Step 3: Reward Yourself
Once your frog is eaten, give yourself a little reward. Maybe it’s a coffee break, a quick walk outside, or just the sweet satisfaction of crossing it off your list.
What If Your Frog is HUGE?
Sometimes, your frog isn’t a single task—it’s more like a giant toad that feels impossible to swallow in one bite. In these cases, the key is to break it down into smaller steps.
Chunk It Down
Let’s say your frog is “Write a 20-page report.” Instead of tackling the entire thing, break it into smaller tasks like:
Create an outline.
Write the introduction.
Draft section one.
By focusing on one small piece at a time, the task feels less overwhelming—and more doable.
Set a Timer
If you’re really struggling, use the Pomodoro technique. Set a timer for 25 minutes and work on your frog until the timer goes off. Often, just getting started is enough to build momentum.
Final Thoughts
Eating the frog isn’t always fun, but it’s worth it. By tackling your biggest, ugliest task first thing in the morning, you’ll save time, reduce stress, and set yourself up for a productive day.
So, what’s your frog for tomorrow? Write it down, set your alarm, and get ready to conquer it. Trust me—you’ve got this.
