Book: Eat That Frog!
By Brian Tracy
Reviewed by: Kenzie Bertrand
The Premise
Getting sh*t done is my favourite value at The Roundtable and I’m usually pretty good at it. I get energy from checking things off my to-do list. Lately, though, I’ve been putting off those not-so-fun tasks. Even though I get tips and tricks from my colleagues, and I know I need to get this sh*t done, I keep procrastinating. So, what do I do? I decide to deal with my procrastination by reading a book about it instead. 😊
“Eat That Frog!” by Brian Tracy is a self-help and productivity book that provides 21 practical strategies to overcome procrastination and improve time management. The central concept is to tackle the most challenging tasks first, symbolized as “eating the frog,” in order to boost productivity. Tracy emphasizes setting clear goals, breaking them into manageable tasks, and using techniques like the Pomodoro Technique and the ABCDE method. The book offers actionable advice, real-life examples, and a motivational writing style to help readers take control of their time and achieve their goals, making it a valuable resource for anyone looking to enhance their productivity.
The bottom line is that most people struggle with procrastination at some point. In our daily roles, there are usually tasks we enjoy and others that drain us. We’ve all been there. Brian Tracy’s ABCDE method provides a useful framework for assessing the importance and urgency of these tasks:
A: Tasks that are of utmost importance, with severe consequences if left undone.
B: Important tasks, but not as critical as A-level ones.
C: Tasks that are pleasant but not absolutely essential.
D: Tasks that can be delegated to others.
E: Tasks that can be safely eliminated because they hold little or no significance.
This method was a helpful exercise when I reviewed my own to-do list. While the outcomes weren’t surprising, it did help me break down what truly matters and eased a bit of stress by categorizing some of those to-dos in the “C” and “E” list (with my manager’s approval, of course!). Pausing my “I can do it all” mindset was the biggest challenge in this exercise.
The Bottomline
I recommend “Eat That Frog!” by Brian Tracy to anyone looking to boost their productivity and time management skills. If you don’t read the book, try the ABCDE method on your own list and see if that helps bring you a new perspective. For Roundtable Alumni, leverage the “Sharpen Your Focus” coaching clinic and guides in the Roundtable Academy. If you’re not alumni and are interested in learning more, reach out to our team and we’d be happy to share more information on prioritization: info@gorountable.com
