Books in Bytes
All 22 learnings · one per slide
Eat That
Frog!
Brian Tracy, in bytes
22 key learnings from Brian Tracy's 21 ways to stop procrastinating and get more done.
22 learnings · ~40 sec eachSwipe →
Library / Habits & Productivity / Eat That Frog!
Eat That Frog!, in bytes
22 key learnings from Brian Tracy's guide to overcoming procrastination, one byte for each of his 21 ways. Each takes about 40 seconds to read. Swipe, use the arrows, or your keyboard.
Eat That
Books in Bytes
Learning 1 · Introduction
Eat the Frog First
The idea
Your 'frog' is your biggest, most important task, often the one you're most likely to put off. Do it first, and the rest of the day feels easier.
The origin
Mark Twain is said to have joked that if you eat a live frog first thing, nothing worse will happen all day.
Takeaway
If you have two frogs, eat the ugliest first.
Eat That Frog!booksinbytes.in
Books in Bytes
Learning 2 · Way 1
1. Set the Table
The idea
Decide exactly what you want, write it down, set a deadline and make a plan.
Why
Clarity about goals is the most important factor in getting things done, Tracy argues.
Try this
Write one goal with a deadline and the first step.
Eat That Frog!booksinbytes.in
Books in Bytes
Learning 3 · Way 2
2. Plan Every Day in Advance
The idea
Tracy claims each minute spent planning saves several in execution.
Example
Keeping a master list, a monthly list, a weekly list and a daily list.
Try this
Write tomorrow's list the evening before.
Eat That Frog!booksinbytes.in
Books in Bytes
Learning 4 · Way 3
3. Apply the 80/20 Rule
The idea
A few tasks produce most of your results. Focus on those first.
Example
Of ten tasks, two are usually worth more than the other eight.
Takeaway
Resist clearing small tasks first.
Eat That Frog!booksinbytes.in
Books in Bytes
Learning 5 · Way 4
4. Consider the Consequences
The idea
The most important tasks have the biggest long-term consequences if done or left undone.
Example
Studying for a qualification has bigger long-term consequences than tidying your inbox.
Reflect
What task would matter most a year from now?
Eat That Frog!booksinbytes.in
Books in Bytes
Learning 6 · Way 5
5. Practise Creative Procrastination
The idea
You can't do everything, so deliberately put off low-value tasks.
Example
Putting off filing to finish a key proposal.
Takeaway
Choose what to neglect on purpose.
Eat That Frog!booksinbytes.in
Books in Bytes
Learning 7 · Way 6
6. Use the ABCDE Method
The idea
Label tasks A (must), B (should), C (nice), D (delegate) and E (eliminate). Never do a B while an A is undone.
Example
A = finish the client proposal; E = rearrange your desktop.
Try this
Label today's list before starting.
Eat That Frog!booksinbytes.in
Books in Bytes
Learning 8 · Way 7
7. Focus on Key Result Areas
The idea
Identify the few results you're responsible for, and improve your weakest.
Example
For a salesperson: prospecting, presenting and closing.
Takeaway
Your weakest key skill limits the rest.
Eat That Frog!booksinbytes.in
Books in Bytes
Learning 9 · Way 8
8. The Law of Three
The idea
Three core tasks usually account for most of your value at work.
Example
Tracy asks a manager to list her three most valuable tasks, which turn out to be most of her value.
Try this
Ask: if I could do only three things all day, which?
Eat That Frog!booksinbytes.in
Books in Bytes
Learning 10 · Way 9
9. Prepare Thoroughly
The idea
Have everything you need before starting, so you can work without interruption.
Example
Gathering all the papers and tools you need before sitting down to write.
Takeaway
Preparation removes excuses.
Eat That Frog!booksinbytes.in
Books in Bytes
Learning 11 · Way 10
10. One Oil Barrel at a Time
The idea
Tackle big tasks one step at a time, like crossing a desert by moving from barrel to barrel.
The story
Tracy describes crossing the Sahara, where oil barrels marked the route every few kilometres.
Takeaway
You only need to see the next step.
Eat That Frog!booksinbytes.in
Books in Bytes
Learning 12 · Way 11
11. Upgrade Your Key Skills
The idea
The better you are at key tasks, the faster you finish them.
Example
Learning to type faster or use software better saves hours.
Try this
Pick one skill to improve this month.
Eat That Frog!booksinbytes.in
Books in Bytes
Learning 13 · Way 12
12. Leverage Your Special Talents
The idea
Focus on what you do especially well and what makes a difference.
Example
Someone good at building relationships focusing on key accounts.
Takeaway
Play to your strengths.
Eat That Frog!booksinbytes.in
Books in Bytes
Learning 14 · Way 13
13. Identify Your Key Constraints
The idea
Find the bottleneck that sets the speed of reaching your goal, often within yourself.
Example
For a salesperson, the constraint might be the number of prospects, not closing skills.
Takeaway
Fix the limiting factor first.
Eat That Frog!booksinbytes.in
Books in Bytes
Learning 15 · Way 14
14. Put the Pressure on Yourself
The idea
Act as if you had to leave town for a month tomorrow, and finish key tasks first.
Example
Setting deadlines for yourself that are earlier than your boss's.
Try this
Set your own deadline before anyone else does.
Eat That Frog!booksinbytes.in
Books in Bytes
Learning 16 · Way 15
15. Maximise Your Personal Powers
The idea
Energy matters: rest, eat well and work at your peak hours.
Example
Taking a full day off each week to recharge.
Takeaway
Tired people procrastinate more.
Eat That Frog!booksinbytes.in
Books in Bytes
Learning 17 · Way 16
16. Motivate Yourself into Action
The idea
Be your own cheerleader: talk to yourself positively and focus on solutions.
Example
Telling yourself 'I can do it' before a big task.
Takeaway
Optimism helps you start.
Eat That Frog!booksinbytes.in
Books in Bytes
Learning 18 · Way 17
17. Get Out of Technology Time Sinks
The idea
Constant email and notifications fragment your day. Take control of technology.
Example
Turning off notifications during your morning frog.
Try this
Check email only at set times.
Eat That Frog!booksinbytes.in
Books in Bytes
Learning 19 · Way 18
18. Slice and Dice the Task
The idea
Break big tasks into small slices, and start with one.
Example
'Write the report' becomes 'draft the outline'.
Takeaway
Small slices make big tasks less intimidating.
Eat That Frog!booksinbytes.in
Books in Bytes
Learning 20 · Way 19
19. Create Large Chunks of Time
The idea
Schedule blocks of uninterrupted time for important work.
Example
Working on a key task for 90 minutes before checking email.
Try this
Book a 90-minute block for your frog.
Eat That Frog!booksinbytes.in
Books in Bytes
Learning 21 · Way 20
20. Develop a Sense of Urgency
The idea
Act quickly on key tasks; momentum builds as you go.
Example
Tracy describes 'flow' when working fast and focused on key tasks.
Takeaway
Do it now.
Eat That Frog!booksinbytes.in
Books in Bytes
Learning 22 · Way 21
21. Single-Handle Every Task
The idea
Once you start a key task, keep going until it's complete.
Example
Writing a report in one sitting rather than over five interrupted sessions.
Takeaway
Finishing builds energy; stopping and starting wastes it.
Eat That Frog!booksinbytes.in
Books in Bytes
All 22 learnings complete
That’s all 22 learnings.
If you have to eat a frog, do it first thing. What's your frog tomorrow morning?
Abhay Kumar JaiswalFCA · PMP® · Workday Financeabhayjaiswal.com
Summaries in my own words. Read the book for the full stories.
1 / 24
Summaries are written in my own words for learning. The order follows the book's later editions; early editions differ slightly. More Books in Bytes