Eat The Big Frog First
“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
This quirky quote inspired Brian Tracy’s book Eat That Frog, which explores the common tendency to procrastinate on the most important (and often most challenging) tasks. The central idea is simple: if you get the hardest, most essential task done first, the rest of your day becomes much easier.
What’s Your Frog?
Think of your to-do list. The most critical task—the one that will push you closest to your goal—is your “frog.” But what happens most of the time? Instead of tackling it head-on, you might find yourself engaging in easier, less impactful activities.
Here’s a typical scenario:
To-Do List (Ranked by Importance):
- Spend an hour working on new song ideas
- Take an hour to work out
- Follow up with a producer about a song on hold
- Write
- Go to the grocery store
What often happens instead? You sleep in a little later than planned, stop by a coffee shop, and run into a friend. By the time you get to the office, conversations with colleagues eat up your time. Before you know it, the day is over—and the top two items on your list (your frogs) remain untouched. They get pushed to the next day, and then the next. Sound familiar?
The Power of Eating the Big Frog First
The most successful individuals share a common trait: they tackle their hardest tasks first. When the biggest challenge of the day is completed early, everything else feels easier. Prioritizing the toughest work builds momentum and a sense of accomplishment, reducing stress and increasing productivity.
This principle applies everywhere—it’s a powerful life strategy. If you’re working toward a goal, identify the two most important things you need to do each day to move forward. Then, do them first.
A Challenge for You
Commit to this practice for six months. Each day, prioritize and complete your top two tasks before anything else. I guarantee you’ll see progress. Your goals will no longer feel like distant dreams—they’ll become tangible milestones within reach.
So, what’s your big frog today? Eat it first. Then watch how far you go. “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
This quirky quote inspired Brian Tracy’s book Eat That Frog, which explores the common tendency to procrastinate on the most important (and often most challenging) tasks. The central idea is simple: if you get the hardest, most essential task done first, the rest of your day becomes much easier.
What’s Your Frog?
Think of your to-do list. The most critical task—the one that will push you closest to your goal—is your “frog.” But what happens most of the time? Instead of tackling it head-on, you might find yourself engaging in easier, less impactful activities.
Here’s a typical scenario:
To-Do List (Ranked by Importance):
- Spend an hour working on new song ideas
- Take an hour to work out
- Follow up with a producer about a song on hold
- Write
- Go to the grocery store
What often happens instead? You sleep in a little later than planned, stop by a coffee shop, and run into a friend. By the time you get to the office, conversations with colleagues eat up your time. Before you know it, the day is over—and the top two items on your list (your frogs) remain untouched. They get pushed to the next day, and then the next. Sound familiar?
The Power of Eating the Big Frog First
The most successful individuals share a common trait: they tackle their hardest tasks first. When the biggest challenge of the day is completed early, everything else feels easier. Prioritizing the toughest work builds momentum and a sense of accomplishment, reducing stress and increasing productivity.
This principle applies everywhere—it’s a powerful life strategy. If you’re working toward a goal, identify the two most important things you need to do each day to move forward. Then, do them first.
A Challenge for You
Commit to this practice for six months. Each day, prioritize and complete your top two tasks before anything else. I guarantee you’ll see progress. Your goals will no longer feel like distant dreams—they’ll become tangible milestones within reach.
So, what’s your big frog today? Eat it first. Then watch how far you go.
https://songtown.com/on-songwriting/songwriters-eat-big-frog-first/