Eat That Frog- By Brian Tracy
Here are my thoughts and ideas from this amazing book which is one of the top books on self-development. The ideas in this book, if implemented well, would significantly improve the quality of life of the reader.
Why did I read this book?
Well! Because I am at a phase in life where I am trying to live more intentionally.
About the book:
Actionable guidelines towards a more organized life.
Bird’s Eye View
This book by Brian Tracy gives actionable directions about having a fulfilling career and life. One of my favorite pieces of anecdotal advice from the book was when learning something new, Ask an Expert in the same field and follow their footsteps. The book also shares 21 Ideas that give a roadmap towards building an intentional career/life plan. Eat that Frog in its essence means, do the most difficult task first.
Who should Read?
The book is for people who love being organized and intentional about the way they structure their lives.
Key Takeaways
Here are the 21 ideas that the author went on to share in the book.
1. Set the table: Have clarity of purpose i.e.
Think about what you want to accomplish
Discuss and decide
Write it down
Have a deadline. Make a list of activities needed to achieve that goal.
Organize the list into a Plan.
Take action Immediately.
Resolve to do something towards your goal everyday.
Choose a specific goal, write about it in present i.e. visualize and then do something everyday to get there.
2. Plan everyday in advance: Time invested in planning saves 2hrs for every 10 minutes spent.
3. The 80-20 rule i.e The Pareto principle: 20%tasks account for 80% of the results. This principle is at work everywhere whether it is business or our mundane day to day activities. Therefore, according to the author, accomplishing our most difficult 20% tasks will lead to 80% of the results.
4. Consider the Consequences: Think of Future Consequences by asking yourself these 3 Questions
What are my highest value activities?
What can I and only I do that if done well can make a real difference?
What is the most valuable use of my time
5. Practice creative procrastination: Procrastinate the tasks that matter less. Say No when something isn’t absolutely vital. Cut down on time consuming activities.
6. Use the ABCDE method: The ABCDE method is a priority setting technique.
A-Tasks which are very important and would have serious consequences if not completed.
B- Tasks which should be done and would have mild consequences if not completed.
C-Tasks which would be nice to do but would have no consequences if not done.
D-D tasks can be delegated.
E- E tasks are those which can be eliminated altogether.
7. Focus on Key Result Areas: Check with seniors, peers and juniors and identify your key result areas for performing your job well. Learn the necessary skills that emerge. Invest your time and money in courses, seminars, dialogues and upskilling.
8. Apply the Law of Three: Pick three items you do best and try to delegate the rest.
9. Prepare Thoroughly Before You Begin: Clean up your work area, set-up your desk or get your docs in order. All this will help in being able to concentrate better without having to fetch things last minute and lead to better output.
10. Take It One Oil Barrel at a Time: When a task is huge, break it down into steps and take one step at a time.
11. Upgrade your key skills: Keep striving to get better. Bettering your key skills helps fight procrastination. Read in your field for 1 hr everyday. Participate in discussions, take necessary courses or listen to audio programs while commuting.
12. Identify Your Key Constraints: What is holding you back? A resource, a person etc. figure it out and do what is necessary to counteract it.
13. Put the Pressure on Yourself: Set Standard for yourself higher than anyone else can.
14. Motivate Yourself into Action: Develop a positive mindset. Be kind to yourself and have positive self-talk. Become an optimist.
15. Technology Is a Terrible Master: Regain control over your life by unplugging and taking frequent breaks from technology. Indeed, it is essential now more than ever to be a master of one’s own time and not be tethered to a digital leash.
16. Technology Is a Wonderful Servant: One can really benefit from technology as well by automating tasks, creating templates for repetitive work and finding other tools that free up time to be able to put it to better use.
17. Focus Your Attention: Where your attention goes, your life follows. Avoid splitting attention by jumping from task to task.
Note: Another book “Deep Work by Cal Newport explores this idea in depth and I recommend reading it for anyone who wants to improve their concentration.
18. Slice and Dice the Task: Cut the big tasks like salami i. e. into smaller tasks. Each time you accomplish a task, use the endorphin rush as a reward and motivator.
Or you could Swiss Cheese a task as the author says i.e. do a small portion of the task and then take rest. Personally I don’t recommend it because that leads to fragmented focus.
19. Create Large Chunks of Time: Allocate large chunks of time to tasks so that you can finish in one go. Use technology to manage your calendar and have it accessible. Apps like google calendar or even Notion.
20. Develop a Sense of Urgency: You might have heard of “The Zone” or the “State of Flow” and if you have ever been there, I am sure you’d agree that it is an exhilarating place to be. The “State of Flow” can be defined as the state in which a person is at their most efficient in performing a task. The sense of urgency adds to it by ensuring a high tempo and accuracy.
21. Single Handle Every Task: When you take up something, get it done and then get up rather than picking it up and putting it down to pick up later. Persevere without distraction. Finishing a task brings its own endorphin rush, just like the one I am experiencing right now.
Conclusion:
Do the most complex tasks (which you really want to put-off badly) first and automatically the rest of the things will become easier. Practice procrastination on the things which are not high on priority list. Develop key skills to make your work easier.
And read the book to take a deeper dive in understanding. Happy Reading!
