Well, it’s Monday morning. Are you happy about it or are you dreading it? I don’t know about you, but I have about 100 things I must accomplish today (a little exaggeration, but it feels like 100). Some of the items I like doing and some I would pay thousands of dollars if I could have someone else do them. So, the question is what order should I do them in?
A couple of things I need to do today I equate to shopping. You see, I absolutely loathe shopping. It is by far my least favorite activity. So, needless to say, there are a items on my to-do list today that I really do not want to do, but must. Time to Eat the Frog!
Yes, I said Eat the Frog. There is an old saying that “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 that experience is probably the worst thing that is going to happen to you all day long!” Your “FROG” is the one you are most likely to procrastinate on if you don’t do something about it now! It is also the one task that can have the greatest positive impact on your life and results at the moment. What do you do if you have two frogs or more to “eat”? Eat the ugliest one first, of course! In other words, start with the biggest, hardest, most important tasks first. Once you get these tasks out of the way, your day will become immediately easier.
Here is an excerpt from Bryan Tracy’s book, “Eat That Frog” to help you get started.
“1) Set the table (p7-12)
RULE 1 — Think on paper!
Step 1 =Decide exactly what you want
RULE 2 — One of the very worst uses of time is to do something very well that need not be done at all!
Step 2 = Write it down!
Step 3 =Set a deadline on your goal
Step 4 =Make a list of everything that you can think of that you are going to have to do to achieve your goal
Step 5 = Organize the list into a plan
Step 6 = Take action on your plan immediately!
Step 7 =Resolve to do something every single day that moves you toward your major goal
Clear written goals have a wonderful effect on your thinking. They can motivate you and galvanize you into action. They can stimulate your creativity and release your energy. They can help you overcome procrastination as much as any other factor. Think about your goals and review them daily. Every morning when you begin, take action on the most important task you can accomplish to achieve your most important goal at the moment.
Once you start moving, keep moving! Don’t stop. This decision, this discipline alone, can make you one of the most productive and successful people of your generation!”
I encourage you to pick up a copy of this book. It will guide you to becoming more efficient and learn to stop procrastinating so you can become more productive and reach high levels of performance.
EAT THE FROG!
Versatile Mottie 