Wednesday, August 31, 2011

A Frog Blog

It has been said that if the first thing you do each morning is to eat a live frog, you can go through the day knowing it's probably the worst thing that's going to happen to you all day. Eating the frog: this is a metaphor for tackling the most challenging task of the day -- the one you are most likely to put off, but usually the one that might have the greatest positive impact on your progress.
My advice? Eat the ugly frog first. Down the hatch. Be a brave soldier, staring down that deadline, that cleaning project, whatever it is -- and go for it. Just pinch your nose, grab that wiggly critter and swallow it whole. After this, you can move on to the other frogs, the smaller ones that aren't quite so daunting.
I know you think I'm talking about frogs here, but really I'm talking about time management; it's just more playful to use the frog analogy.
Try this: At the end of each day, whether you're at the office or at home, make a list of all the things you need to do the next day. Then, select your most important task (the ugliest frog). Clear the workspace around it so you have this one thing, sort of like a big warty frog, sitting on your desk. It will be waiting for you in the morning.
Do this every day until it becomes a habit. In due time you will find you are more productive through the entire day, having spent the early surge of your energy eating the wartiest frog.
If absolutely necessary, make Frog Jello. This is the art of mixing in enough humor, coffee and perspective to make the frog taste better.
When a co-worker or family member offers you a donut or a sweet roll, tell em you've already had the breakfast of champions. Then politely excuse yourself and go on to the next item, um -- frog, on your list.


No comments:

Post a Comment