How to Eat That Frog: Method, Quote, and Daily Use

Mark Twain once said that if the first thing you do each morning is to eat a live frog, you can go through the day with the satisfaction of knowing that that is probably the worst thing that is going to happen to you all day long.

If you searched "how to eat that frog" or "mark twain eat the frog", this is the practical productivity method behind that quote.

Did Mark Twain Really Say "Eat the Frog"?

The quote is widely attributed to Mark Twain. In productivity, the phrase became popular through Brian Tracy's framework: do your hardest, highest-impact task first.

What is your "Frog"?

Your "frog" is your biggest, most important task, the one you are most likely to procrastinate on if you don't do something about it. It is also the one that can have the greatest positive impact on your life.

The 3 Rules of Frog Eating

• 1. If you have to eat two frogs, eat the ugliest one first. Tackle the biggest, hardest task first.
• 2. If you have to eat a live frog at all, it doesn't pay to sit and look at it for very long. Action beats contemplation.
• 3. Take action immediately. Don't check emails first. Don't grab a coffee. Just start.

How the Timer Helps

It's hard to start a huge task. But it's easy to start a 10-minute timer. Tell yourself "I will just spend 10 minutes on the Frog." Usually, that momentum is enough to keep you going.