“Eat a small toad in the morning, and it will be the worse thing you do all day.” Art Fettig
What better way to celebrate leap day than a story about eating frogs?
Plus, chomping down on our greens first thing makes it okay to eat lots of desserts. Okay, I just made up that part because I will work for sugar.
The original Eat That Frog! post explains the concept behind the book Eat That Frog!
In a nutshell, eating that frog means we begin our day by doing the one or two things we would typically procrastinate over.
The practice of frog-eating, no matter how unpleasant, is usually necessary to making our days as productive as can be. It is a positive change in attitude and action.
Author Brian Tracy says eating the frog early makes for a sweeter rest-of-the-day.
But how much sweeter still is justification?
I listened to a friend talk about procrastinating and finding all sorts of additional creative projects besides making wine lights, which she sells at art shows for her livelihood. I thought, “If my ‘frog’ was wine lights, I’d have no problem getting to work.”
Oh, really? “Woe is me” that my frog is writing? I’ll want to address why (when I figure it out) we choose procrastination over our dreams.
For now, we’re making a diet plan.
I’m an advocate that we begin this very minute, since it’s leap day and we have extra time.
Are you with me?
WRite wHere I’m supposed to be – When I eat the frog first thing in the morning, it works. For me, “works” means my minutes and hours seem longer, I feel accomplished as well as liberated. The remainder of my day, after the frog, I relax into projects that are more start-and-finish friendly.
On the side: Watch Eat That Frog! YouTube here.
Also, read What Successful People Do With the First Hour of Their Workday, and it’s not check their email.
As you know this is one of my hot button topics, in that I qualify for several types of procrastinators. My daughter gave me the Book, It\’s About Time, that outlines 6 different styles of procrastinators. I recommend it , available at http://www.amazon.com/Its-About-Time-Procrastination-Overcome/dp/0140242716
Thanks for the book suggestion, Joel. I haven\’t heard of that book before. Wonder if they have it at Barnes & Noble? I\’ll have to check it out. I\’m sure \”it\’s about time\” I do! Ha.
Oh man this can be me sometimes. I am not sure if it is so much procrastination as it is distraction. Thank you for such a great article!
I know what you mean, Dawn. Sometimes I think I have untreated ADD. Either one, if I keep the frog in mind, it helps with procrastination and distractions.
Our conversation from Facebook\’s Hands-On Networking site ~
Thursday at 3:51pm
Jason Hawver and Anjana C. Duff like this.
Gail G. Cashman said Great Story!
Thursday at 4:13pm via · Like
Kim Henson said Thanks, Gail G. Cashman. Love the book and its message.
Thursday at 5:00pm · Like · 1
Anjana C. Duff said Watched it and loved it. Great message…but, of course, I should have been eating a frog or two – instead, I am on FB. I have a whole plate of frogs to eat – dinner to make, laundry to fold, dishes to wash, papers to grade….which to eat first??
Thursday at 5:09pm · Unlike · 2
Joel Carter said Eat the worst one first and the rest will be easier
Thursday at 5:54pm · Unlike · 3
Kim Henson said Yep, that\’s a bunch of frogs, Anjana. Lol. I\’ve just got one for the evening so the only choice is do it or don\’t do it. Joel, that\’s great advice … the worst first! And the rest will taste better. Ha. Thanks for the comment.
Thursday at 7:23pm · Like · 1
Dawn Collea Stark said left comment and tweeted
Thursday at 8:03pm · Unlike · 2
Anjana C. Duff said You\’ll be happy to know that I ate almost all of my frogs. Then I got full and thought I should save one for breakfast…I\’ll grade papers tomorrow. 😉
Thursday at 9:14pm · Unlike · 2
Kim Henson said Thanks so much, Dawn! Grading papers wasn\’t the worst? Did you follow Joel\’s advice? Tell the truth because I usually do the opposite and save the worst for last … procrastinators (and misery) love company.
Thursday at 11:22pm · Like · 1
Anjana C. Duff said Truth be told, I really couldn\’t follow Joel\’s advice because the time of day dictated my frog eating. Since it was after 5, I had to make dinner first. It didn\’t make sense to grade papers at that time of day. And I probably still won\’t grade them till Sunday night… I\’ll start the frog eating on Monday….maybe… 😉
Thursday at 11:42pm · Unlike · 1
Kim Henson said Good idea. I think I\’ll start next week also. I just needed support.
Yesterday at 12:42am · Like · 1
Anjana C. Duff said When does the online support group for facebooking, lexophilic, introverted procrastinators meet?! ;))
15 hours ago · Unlike · 2
Joel Carter said We could have a huge group, but alas, most will procrastinate joining.
15 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 2
Anjana C. Duff said Lol, Joel! So true…and even if they joined, they\’d be too introverted to share. 😉
14 hours ago · Unlike · 2
Kim Henson said Like a friend says, \”Just shaking my head.\” Also laughing out loud, for real. Those last 3 comments … funny, funny ones.
13 hours ago · Like · 2
I run as early as 5 AM and then tackle a full day of work with my kids and business. I am so used to eating that Frog, even if it really tastes likes sugar when I am done!
Glad someone else found a metaphor. I love it. Now I know what you are talking about! 🙂
I admire early birds (in orange glasses) like you. Once upon a time, I got up early but no more. I\’m glad you figured out what this frog eating was all about. But you don\’t need the advice anyway … you\’re already full from eating them. I love your get-up-and-go spirit!
I\’m going to watch the YouTube video. I used to collect frogs when I was younger. Hmm, what does that mean? Maybe I will ask Kermit. 🙂 Thanks for the gentle nudge.
Please don\’t give me any ideas about collecting anything else. Lol. I\’ve tried to give that up, however frogs is one I could easily get into. I\’ve got ONE in my office now and that\’s all I have room for. Unless, of course, he\’s really cute …