Book Summary - " Eat that Frog " ~ Brian Tracy

 This is my first book review / summarizing ever and I hope that its done well. 😁

About the Book :

Title : Eat that Frog

Author : Brian Tracy

Total No of pages : 117

Version i read : Third edition ( e-book )

The reason i picked this book up from my huge pile of TBR list is the title. Like what does that even mean? " Eat that Frog " ? A FROG ? 🐸Needless to say it got me curious and i dived right in. 

"Eat this Frog" is a self help book that deals with methods to overcome procrastination and to better use our time efficiently. This book is good as far as any self help book goes. It was therapeutic to read, easy to understand and  practical. So lets see what we got out of this 117 pages book, I wrote a brief summary on all of the key points that this book has to offer so you don't have to spend much time on the actual one. 😉

Summary :

What is the FROG ? 

Thankfully it ain't a live frog but the author here describes our TASKs as the frog in this book.

The more difficult the task = The uglier / bigger the frog. 📑🟰🐸

Rule - 1 : If you have 2 frogs. Always eat the ugliest one first.

When there are 2 or more tasks at hand and you are a tight spot wondering which one to get started on. Always choose the most difficult or important one because that is the task that you are most likely to procrastinate.

Rule - 2 : If you are not gonna eat a live frog, it doesn't pay to sit and look at it for long.

When you are stuck with a task that isn't getting any progress, it is better to switch tasks or take a break and return to it after than wasting time doing said task and not getting anywhere. Temporary break from the stump can help you have a clear mind and determination to complete it.

The 3 Ds for Success

According to Oxford, the meaning of the following words :

• Discipline - the practice of training your mind and body so that you control your actions and obey rules.
• Determination - the quality of having firmly decided to do something, even if it is very difficult.
• Dedication - wanting to give your time and energy to something because you feel it is important.

Setting the Table 

1. Decide what you want to do.
2. Write it down. 🖉
3. Set deadlines and sub-deadlines.
4. Make a list for everything ( you can make any number of lists ) 📑
• Master list 
• Monthly list
• Weekly list
• Daily list
5. Organize the list into a plan , meaning prioritize the tasks that need to be done in the order of importance. 🗒
6. Take action immediately.  Do something...Anything. Do not lose momentum. 🏃
7. Resolve to do something ever single day. This helps build momentum and pushes you forward.

Methods to Accomplish Heavy tasks

There are 3 methods that help to complete large tasks without overwhelming oneself

• Salami Slicing - The goal is to break down a task into smaller, bite-sized pieces that can be completed in 15–20 minutes each.
• Swiss Cheese - This method involves taking small bites or poking holes in a large task or project. The goal is to continuously do small tasks one at a time throughout the work day.
• Divide and Conquer - Breaking down large tasks to smaller manageable tasks and after completion, combine the output to get the final result.

Rule - 3 : Resist the temptation to clear up small things first.

Whatever you choose to do over and over becomes a habit that is hard to break so be mindful of how you do things. 

" The mark of superior thinking is his or her ability to accurately predict the consequences of doing or not doing something "

Your attitude towards time has a huge impact on your behavior and your choices.

Rule - 4 : Long- term thinking improves short term decision making.

" MOTIVATION REQUIRES MOTIVE "

 

Law of Forced Efficiency

" There is never enough time to do EVERYTHING , but there is always enough time to do the most IMPORTANT THING. "

 

3 Questions for maximum Productivity

✅ What are my highest value activity ? 

      [ the task you do that has the highest value or profit ]

✅ What can I do that if done well, will make a real difference ?

✅ What is the most valuable use of my right right now ? 

      [ this answer is usually your biggest frog / task at hand ]

 

" The things that matter most must never be at the mercy of the things that matter the least "

" Simple. I just say no to everything that is not absolutely vital to me at the moment "

~ Warren Buffet                          

Creative Procrastination :

The act of thoughtfully and deliberately deciding upon the exact things , you are not going to do right now, if ever.

 

The ABCD Prioritizing Method

When creating lists for the task that you want to do use this method to categorize the tasks according to their priority or importance level. 

• Something (task) very important that you must do.
• Has serious consequences if not done.
• If you have more than 1 task with A level importance, prioritize them as : A-1, A-2, A-3....A-n.

• Something (task)  important that you should do.
• Has mild consequences if not done.

👉 Never do a B task when A task is left undone 

• Something (task) that would be nice to do.
• Has no consequences if not done.
• Example : Any hobby of yours for you to relax. 

 

• Something (task) that can be delegated to someone else.
• To delegate is to give or assign a task to some one else.

Eliminate Altogether 

" Do what you can , with what you have , where you are . " ~ Theodore Roosevelt

Rule - 5 : Continuous learning is the minimum requirement for success in any field.

 

 Lead the field - Key points

✨ Raise the bar on yourself

Standards you set for yourself , your work and your behavior should be higher than anyone else could set for you but do remember to be kind to yourself. Negative self talk destroys your self esteem.

✨Technology is a terrible master but a wonderful servant.

When you are in tune to your habits, how you spend your time and what is your priority? You are the master and you can use technology to the utmost efficiency to achieve your goals. 

✨The Illusion of Multi-tasking

• Some claim that they are good at multi-tasking but what they really do is called Task- shifting. 

•  It takes 17 minutes for the human mind to shift your total attention back from another task to your task which is wasted time.

✨ Develop an urge to complete

Do not wait ; time will never be ' just right '. 

✨Build momentum

 

✨Self discipline is the key

 " The ability to make yourself do what you should do, when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not. " 

~ Elbert Hubbard                  

About the Author : 

Name : Brian Tracy 

Nationality : Canadian- American

Job : Motivational speaker, self- development author

Popular books : Earn What You're Really Worth, Eat That Frog!, No Excuses!

Website URL : https://www.briantracy.com/