Ever had a big, annoying task sitting on your to-do list for days? You know you should do it, but you keep pushing it to “later”… and then later never comes.

That’s where the ‘Eat that Frog’ method comes in.

Sounds weird? Don’t worry, it has nothing to do with actual frogs. But it has everything to do with beating procrastination and getting things done—fast.

Let’s break it down.

What Does ‘Eat that Frog’ Even Mean?

The idea comes from Mark Twain, who said:

“If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And if you have to eat two frogs, eat the biggest one first.”

Translation?

➡️ Your “frog” is the hardest, most important task of the day.

➡️ If you do it first, the rest of your day feels easier.

Instead of wasting time on small, easy tasks (emails, social media, errands), you tackle the big, ugly one first.

It’s simple, but it works like magic.

Why Most People Avoid Their ‘Frog’ (And Stay Stuck)

Most people start their day with small tasks because it makes them feel productive. But here’s the truth:

🚫 Checking emails isn’t progress.
🚫 Scrolling LinkedIn isn’t work.
🚫 Organizing your desk won’t build your career.

The real progress comes from the hard, uncomfortable tasks—deep work, big projects, difficult decisions.

But we avoid them because:
❌ They feel overwhelming
❌ They take too much time
❌ We’re afraid of failure

So, instead of facing them, we distract ourselves with “busy work.” And by the time we finally feel ready, the day is over.

Sound familiar?

How to ‘Eat the Frog’ (Step-by-Step)

1. Identify Your ‘Frog’ the Night Before

Before you sleep, ask yourself:

💡 “If I could only complete ONE task tomorrow, which one would have the biggest impact?”

That’s your frog.

Write it down, so you don’t waste time deciding in the morning.

2. Attack It First Thing in the Morning

Before checking your phone, emails, or messages—start with your frog.

Even if it’s uncomfortable.
Even if you don’t feel like it.
Even if you want to quit.

🚀 Just start. The hardest part is beginning.

3. Break It Into Tiny Steps

If your frog feels too big, break it down.

✅ Instead of “Write a 10-page report” → Start with the first paragraph.
✅ Instead of “Build a website” → Set up a domain first.
✅ Instead of “Learn investing” → Watch one tutorial today.

Tiny steps = Less resistance.

4. Set a 30-Minute Timer

Still procrastinating? Use the Pomodoro technique:

⏳ Set a timer for 30 minutes.
🔥 Work on your frog without distractions.
🚀 When the timer ends, take a short 5-minute break.

By the time the 30 minutes are up, you’ll already be in the zone and want to continue.

5. Reward Yourself After Finishing

Your brain loves rewards.

So, after you eat the frog, give yourself a small treat:
🍵 A cup of tea
🎵 Your favorite song
📱 5 minutes of guilt-free scrolling

This trains your brain to associate hard tasks with rewards, making it easier next time.

What Happens When You Eat the Frog?

✅ Less stress (No more tasks haunting you all day)
✅ More confidence (You prove to yourself you can do hard things)
✅ Better productivity (You get the real work done, not just busywork)

By the time others are still “warming up,” you’ve already tackled your hardest challenge.

That’s the power of eating the frog.

Final Thoughts: Just Do It

The ‘Eat that Frog’ method is simple but life-changing.

1️⃣ Identify your biggest, hardest task the night before
2️⃣ Tackle it first thing in the morning
3️⃣ Break it down if needed & use a timer
4️⃣ Reward yourself after completing it

Stop delaying. Stop making excuses. Just eat the frog.