You know that one task you’ve been dreading? The one that’s been sitting on your to-do list for days (or weeks) because it’s just… ugh?
Well, imagine if you did that first thing every morning. No emails. No busywork. Just straight into the hardest, most important task.
That’s the whole idea behind the "Eat the Frog" method. It’s a simple but effective productivity hack: tackle your biggest, ugliest task first, and ride that wave of accomplishment through the rest of your day.
I was curious. Could starting with the hardest thing actually make everything else feel easier? Let’s find out.
What is the Eat the Frog method?
Coined by Brian Tracy, a productivity expert, the "Eat the Frog" method encourages tackling your most challenging or meaningful task first thing in the morning.
Why?
- Your willpower is strongest early in the day. You’re more likely to have the focus and energy needed to tackle difficult or mentally demanding work.
- By conquering your "frog" right away, you set a proactive tone and gain momentum. That early win creates a ripple effect, making the rest of your day feel easier to manage.
- The sense of accomplishment carries over, making other tasks feel easier. Once the toughest item is off your plate, smaller tasks feel less intimidating, helping you stay productive and motivated.
The concept: Identify your biggest, hardest, or most important task (the one you’re most likely to procrastinate on) and make it your first priority.
The goal: By front-loading your day with high-impact work, you boost productivity, reduce decision fatigue, and avoid the guilt or stress of leaving tough tasks undone.
You can find detailed breakdowns of the method on sites like Todoist or Zapier, but the core idea is simple: do the hard stuff first.
My leap into the frog pond
As a writer navigating the intricate worlds of novel creation and freelance content writing, I sought a daily challenge that would shake up my routine.
It’s super easy for me to focus on work and push off my creative writing to another day. Procrastination has often been the shadow on my writing journey. To combat this, I identified a daily frog that was both distinct from my regular work and creatively invigorating.
My goal?
- Write a complete short story (think flash fiction — under 1,500 words) first thing every morning.
- Keep the sessions short and focused (around 30–45 minutes).
- Push through creative blocks without overthinking.
Each day, I devoted focused time to concocting a brief, engaging narrative. As the words flowed onto the page, I found myself entering a realm of inspiration that set the tone for subsequent writing endeavors.
In just a few weeks, my daily short story frog led me on a captivating writing adventure. The act of completing a unique writing task early in the day worked wonders for my mindset. Armed with a sense of accomplishment, I faced the day with a proactive attitude.
The result?
In just a few weeks, I had drafted 15 short stories, totaling over 20,000 words. Some were rough, others surprisingly good, but the consistent practice sparked new ideas and strengthened my creative muscles.
What worked and what didn’t
What worked? The Eat the Frog method became a surprising, creative catalyst.
- Proactive mindset: Starting my day with a creative challenge helped me shake off procrastination and approach the rest of my work with more purpose.
- Creative momentum: Finishing a short story first thing made other tasks feel easier, boosting my overall productivity.
- Expanded creativity: The characters, themes, and styles I explored in these daily tales began to weave their way into my larger writing projects.
- Greater output: Not only was I checking off boxes on my digital calendar, but I was also producing a steady stream of creative material.
But what didn’t work? Of course, the journey wasn’t without its challenges.
- Choosing the frog: The hardest part? Deciding which task deserved to be my "frog" each day. For this challenge, I chose creative writing, but frogs can vary. Some days, it could be an administrative task, a fitness goal, or something else entirely.
- Blank page paralysis: Some mornings, the blank page was intimidating. But committing to this daily frog provided the push I needed to overcome creative blocks.
- Time trade-offs: On busier days, carving out time for flash fiction occasionally cut into my freelance workload, forcing me to rearrange my schedule.
Final thoughts
Eat the Frog is the perfect productivity method for anyone frequently bitten by the procrastination monster. It pushes you to face your most meaningful or challenging task first, clearing mental space for everything else.
For me, it wasn’t just about productivity; it became a daily creative spark. These morning short story sessions not only strengthened my writing muscles but also enriched every aspect of my work.
So, what’s your frog? Whether it’s a creative project, a work task, or something you’ve been putting off for weeks, try tackling it first thing. You might be surprised at how much lighter the rest of the day feels.
And if your frog involves writing, sketching, or planning on your iPad, Paperlike can help make the process feel effortless.
Paperlike’s Screen Protector brings that satisfying paper feel to digital work, while other thoughtfully designed accessories help you stay comfortable and focused.
Start with your frog, equip yourself with the right tools, and see just how much easier tackling the hard stuff can be.
