“You’ve got to eat the frog.”
It’s one of the most repeated lines in the productivity world.
Made famous by Brian Tracy’s book, the idea is simple:
“If your job is to eat a frog, do it first thing in the morning. And if your job is to eat two frogs, eat the biggest one first.”
Translation?
Start your day with the hardest, most important task—the thing you’re most likely to procrastinate on.
And for some people?
That mindset works.
They smash out their most intimidating task before breakfast, ride the wave of momentum, and coast into the afternoon with a smug smile and a lighter load.
But here’s the reality for most people running businesses, managing teams, juggling families, and trying to stay sane:
Sometimes, the frog bites back.
Let’s unpack where this advice works, where it doesn’t, and why DROP offers a more flexible (and more human) approach to getting the important stuff done—without the guilt, the burnout, or the amphibian analogies.
Where “Eat That Frog” Gets It Right
Let’s start by giving the frog its due.
The concept works because it:
- Beats procrastination – You tackle the thing you’re most likely to avoid
- Builds momentum – Once the hardest task is done, everything else feels easier
- Protects your focus – You do deep work before the distractions kick in
- Strengthens discipline – You get used to doing what matters, not just what’s easy
In theory, it’s a solid approach.
And for some brains—especially highly driven, early-rising, dopamine-hungry types—it can be game-changing.
But productivity isn’t one-size-fits-all.
And if you’ve ever sat down to “eat the frog,” only to:
- Freeze
- Spiral into overthinking
- Waste an hour “getting ready” to start
- End up doing nothing at all
…you’ll know the frog strategy doesn’t always go to plan.
Here’s Where It Falls Apart for Real People
1. Not all frogs are created equal.
Sometimes your hardest task isn’t your most important one.
And spending three hours forcing yourself to do something complex or painful might mean you burn out before anything else gets done.
2. Energy levels aren’t always morning-friendly.
Not everyone is at their sharpest at 8AM.
If your best focus hits in the afternoon or evening, doing the hardest task first might actually be the least efficient option.
3. Life doesn’t always give you time for frog feasting.
Back-to-back calls. Kids to school. A team that needs you. Fires to fight.
Some mornings, you’re lucky to drink your coffee while it’s still warm.
4. Guilt becomes the default.
You didn’t eat the frog today? You failed.
You pushed it till tomorrow? You failed again.
Repeat this loop, and suddenly you hate your own task list.
Productivity advice isn’t helpful if it becomes a source of shame.
And that’s why DROP doesn’t force you to start your day with a frog.
It helps you plan your week around your energy, your focus, and your reality.
DROP Isn’t About Frogs—It’s About Flow
Here’s how DROP works instead:
- Dump everything out of your brain
- Review what actually matters this week
- Offload what you shouldn’t be doing
- Plan your time based on when you’re best at what
You don’t start with the hardest task just because it’s hard.
You start with the right task at the right time—based on your:
- Energy
- Focus
- Schedule
- Capacity
- Goals
Maybe that’s a frog.
Maybe it’s something small that clears your head.
Maybe it’s a client call you need to prep for.
It’s not about proving how tough you are.
It’s about being intentional.
The Problem Isn’t Frogs—It’s Lack of Structure
Let’s be honest:
If you’re constantly pushing your hardest task down the list, the issue isn’t the frog.
It’s the chaos.
No structure.
No planning.
No realistic view of what you can actually get done.
That’s where DROP changes everything.
It gives you the weekly rhythm to:
- Face what matters
- Stop overloading your days
- Work with your brain instead of against it
- Actually finish what you start
And if you want to schedule your frog for 9AM on Monday?
Go for it.
But you do it with intention—not because someone on Instagram said that’s what successful people do.
Sometimes the Frog Can Wait—and That’s Okay
Not every big task needs to be done first thing.
Sometimes, it’s smarter to:
- Warm up with quick wins
- Do shallow work while your brain boots up
- Handle team admin first, so you can then dive deep distraction-free
- Tackle the frog in a longer focused block after lunch
That’s not laziness.
That’s strategic time management.
DROP helps you build that strategy into your week—so you stop guilt-tripping yourself over how you start your day.
Because what matters is that you do the work—not when you start it.
If You Like Eating Frogs, Cool. If Not, Build a Better Plan.
Some people love the frog approach.
They thrive on getting the toughest stuff done first.
Others need space, structure, and flexibility.
DROP gives you the system to work either way.
- You want to schedule your hardest task first? DROP supports that.
- You want to match tasks to your natural rhythms? DROP’s built for that too.
- You want to delegate the frog entirely? Even better.
Want a Weekly System That Doesn’t Force You Into One Way of Working?
Forget rules.
Forget guilt.
Forget frogs.
Start building a week that works for you.
Here’s how:
- Buy the book – Control Your Time or Stay Stuck: You Choose
- Join the DROP System training and build a time management system that fits your life, your brain, and your business
Because success isn’t about who eats the biggest frog.
It’s about who finishes what matters—consistently.
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