Today I want to walk you through a concept that's a cornerstone of productivity: the eat your frogs technique.

For those unfamiliar, the idea is based on a Mark Twain quote: "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 it is probably the worst thing that will happen to you all day long."

In our world of work, the "live frog" translates to those daunting tasks we keep putting off. You know the ones – annoying, time-consuming, or just plain scary to start.

Now, I don't literally recommend chowing down on amphibians, but in today’s episode I break down how I use this technique to tackle my to-do list, which I prefer to call a punch list (feels more action-oriented, don't you think?).

I'd love to hear how eating your frogs boosts your productivity. If you're struggling or have any questions, feel free to reach out. 

Connect with Me: 

Website: www.balanceathand.com 

Instagram:  @balance_at_hand

Hi, and thank you so much for

joining me today as we spend some

time exploring a concept that is

firmly embedded in productivity.

The technique we are discussing

today is one that I have been using

for some time now, and it has really

changed how I tackle those tasks

that I put off, especially the ones

that I am uncomfortable with, and

so just completely avoid doing.

I call this technique eating

your frogs, and the concept has

been around for a very long time.

Mark Twain has been credited with saying,

"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 it is probably the worst thing

that will happen to you all day long".

Translating that into my

language, eating a live frog

is gross, but get it done.

And the rest of your day will be awesome.

The reference of eating up

the live frog relates to

dealing with your one big task.

But in the real world, we have many

tasks that we put off because they are

annoying or time consuming or scary,

or you just don't know where to start.

All of these tasks are your frogs.

I've established a really

simple way to identify my frogs.

Those tasks that I just keep

avoiding through my punch list.

I call it a punch list as I

feels a bit more snappy than

referring to it as a to do list.

And I would want to avoid

a to do list altogether.

Historically, builders called the

final list of activities they needed to

undertake to complete a job a punch list.

When the task was completed on the list,

they would punch a hole next to it to

demonstrate that the task was completed.

My punch list is my rolling

list of things I need to tackle.

I carry it with me most places, and

then I add to it as things pop into

my head, or if I'm at meetings, uh,

with things that need to be done.

I also have a notes page on my phone,

which I quickly type into if I don't

have my physical punch list with me.

And then I translate it across to

my punch list when I'm next able.

This rolling list then lets me review

and pick my three tasks for the next day.

I have a punch list for home

and a punch list for work.

And then I also set myself

three daily tasks to complete

at home and three for work.

I've created for myself a daily

actions list notepad at the top, I

add a date and there are three lines.

The first line next to it has a

little frog and then the next

two lines have circles that can

be punched out when completed.

You can complete this on a notepad or

scrap paper or in your daily journal.

Whatever works best for you is

exactly how you should do this.

At the end of each work day for my

work list, at the end of each day

for my personal list, I review my

punch list and I select a frog.

A task I've been avoiding, and

then two other tasks normally

based on priority to complete.

Very quickly, my punch list will show

me tasks that have been completed

and those that are outstanding.

Once you've completed all the tasks on a

page, I rip it out and I get rid of it.

And then the list starts to show

pages with one or two tasks yet to be

completed that I keep passing over.

These are my frogs.

And for you in your list,

these will be your frogs.

tackling one frog a day will start to

clear the tasks you've been avoiding and

really contribute to your productivity

as you continue to review your to do

list, or in my case, my punch list,

you will see some of the frogs remain

on your list because they are too big.

Or too hard to start for the

too hard and too big tasks.

Spend a few minutes trying

to break the activity down.

What is the first step?

And then the next step and keep going

until you feel you have it sorted.

Still not sure then phone a friend,

reach out to someone that you trust at

work or a friend to ask for guidance

in how your task may be tackled.

hopefully then your big frog will become

a lot of little frogs that you can

tackle over a few days or a few weeks.

I have been using the eat your

frogs technique for a few years

now and teaching others in its use.

It has a definite impact

on personal productivity.

A quick note though.

My time working in enhancing productivity

has shown that some people really

struggle with tackling the frog first.

It can be too overwhelming

or exhausting, resulting in

the other tasks overwhelming.

Or just daily activities, not

being achieved in these situations.

This doesn't mean that people should

avoid their frogs, but instead of doing

the frog as the first of your three

daily actions, place it third on your

list and round out your daily tasks

with your frog practice and undertake

as much trial and error as needed.

This will be the best way

to know what works for you.

So if you are already familiar

with this concept, I hope today's

episode was a great reminder for

you to enhance your productivity.

And for those that have learned

about eating your frogs for the

very first time, I'm really excited

for you to put them into practice.

yes, those around me, especially

at work, will commonly hear me

talking about frogs and big frogs.

And because I love sharing

anything that helps with creating

a strong foundation of purpose,

productivity, and preparedness.

I am proud to say that most people

know exactly what I'm talking about

when we talk about frogs and have

put it into practice themselves.

I look forward to hearing

how your productivity has

increased by eating your frogs.

If you are having trouble getting

your frogs in order or have any

other questions, feel free to

reach out to me until next time,

live your best balanced life.