Business Book Review: Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy

Tracy delivers a go-to guide for overcoming procrastination, improving productivity and prioritising what matters most to your success - every day.

My Rating: ★★★★
Length: 144 pages
Publisher: Berrett-Koehler
Released: First published 2001

Key Takeaways for Personal Branding

While Mark Twain may have coined the popular concept of ‘eating the frog’, Brian Tracy’s book helped make it everyone’s favourite productivity hack.

Twain first described that if you have to ‘eat a live frog’, then do it first thing in the morning, because nothing you do after that will seem as bad. This mindset became the mantra to relentlessly prioritise the most difficult task first. Then, steadfastly resist any temptation to clear up small tasks for quick wins. Not only does it ensure the most important task is done first, but the motivation from the accomplishment powers you up with endorphins for the rest of your day. You develop a positive addiction to the sense of achievement!

Doing the hardest task first isn’t even the most pivotal part. Picking the most important task is what Brian Tracy says is the defining factor of your career.

The book shares more than the classic concept and presents 21 productivity hacks that Tracy swears by. After years of research and studying the greats, he’s handpicked the ones he’s tried and tested and knows work. While tapping into it, but not getting too caught up in the intricacies of the research, the book is a short and sweet practical guide you can easily read in one productive sitting.

Eat That Frog is about much more than just time-saving strategies; the practical focus on prioritising is also the central premise of the book. A product of its time, these tips do not need fancy project management software but, for the most part, a good ole pen and paper.

The ability to focus is another central theme. Tracy says:

“Throughout my career, I have discovered and rediscovered a simple truth: the ability to concentrate singlemindedly on your most important task, to do it well and to finish it completely, is the key to great success, achievement, respect, status, and happiness in life. This key insight is the heart and soul of this book.”

Here are my favourite takeaways:

Set the Table - Think on Paper

Among Tracy’s ‘Set the Table’ rules, I love the packaging and recallability of ‘Think on Paper’. He shares that research shows only 3 per cent of adults are said to write down their goals. But, according to him, the number one reason why people get more work done faster is because they are clear about their objectives - and they don’t deviate from them.

Thinking on paper transcends the usual checklist most corporates arm themselves with. Tracy suggests using boxes, circles, lines and arrows and showing the relationship between each task.

Consider the Consequences

Tracy highlights that Dr Edward Banfield of Harvard University, after 50 years of research, concluded that a longer time perspective is the most accurate single predictor of upward social and economic mobility. It’s said to be more important than family, background, education, race, intelligence, connections and more. Those with a long time horizon make much better decisions than those with a short-sighted view. Successful people can delay gratification in the short term for greater rewards in the long term.

So, constantly ask yourself, ‘What is my highest value activity in the long term?’

Apply the Law of Three

Tracy suggests that the three tasks you perform are the key to the success of your business or organisation. The key is knowing what the core tasks are and doing your best to delegate, downsize, outsource or eliminate the rest.

The ‘quick-list’ method is another handy law of three hacks. Tracy suggests writing down your three most important goals in life right now - in 30 seconds that is. The speed of the task helps tap into your subconscious without overthinking your answer.

Put Pressure on Yourself

Tracy's productivity tricks include setting imaginary deadlines. Sounds like the last thing most people would want to do, but the premise is to set your own standards, irrespective of what they actually are.

Tracy delivers a must-read go-to guide for productivity. It will be time well spent for the time savings you’ll enjoy for a lifetime.

Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy:  Available on Amazon.