Eat That Frog!
Never underestimate the value of getting the hardest daily task done first.
Today many call this one big thing the 'frog.' It's the thing we most avoid. The goal you haven’t started on yet. Or the next big step you need to take on the way there.
Or the frog can be the obstacle in your way. Maybe it’s a big project, deadline, or obligation taking up your mental space. You must eliminate the frog to pursue your ultimate goal.
For most of 2018, my frog was almost always any task related to money and the family budget. Coming off of an unexpected termination of employment earlier in the year, money was tight at times and the source of varying personal and familial stress.
And when it came to managing our finances, I often procrastinated. A lot.
But why?
Logically, upon reflection, this procrastination was driven by fear. Like an ostrich sticking its head in the sand, sometimes it felt easier to not update the family budget or open the credit card statement.
I wasn't eating my frog.
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. – Mark Twain
Then, I started making lists. By writing down even the most minute or mundane tasks, I was able to both identify my frog and achieve the sense of accomplishment that comes with checking off boxes.
The idea was to do put each task into one of four categories:
- Things I don’t want to do, and actually don’t need to do.
- Things I don’t want to do, but actually need to do (hint: these are the frogs!)
- Things I want to do and actually need to do.
- Things I want to do, but actually don’t need to do.
Whatever your frog is, it didn’t show up overnight, and won’t go away quickly. Commit to working toward a new habit of facing the frog first, before any distractions or easier tasks. Eating the frog first will give you tremendous energy and momentum.
Onward and upward...