“Have That Frog,” a principle popularized by Brian Tracy, is actually based on Mark Twain’s idea that if the first thing you do each morning is to have the most difficult job done, you would have the satisfaction of knowing, that, that the task is probably the worst thing or the most difficult thing that you would do all day. Here, the “frog” is a metaphor for your most important job and or towards the completion of the challenging task. Tackling it first sets a productive tone for the rest of the day. Here, I have tried to write a comprehensive or a step-by-step guide to implementing this concept in your daily schedule.

Step 1: Identify Your Difficult Task (You can easily do this by understanding the causes and effects of your daily schedule and maintaining a journal)

1. Creating a Detailed Task List:
Before starting any productive work, it is crucial to know what you need to accomplish in a particular day. Please keep a journal with you. And simultaneously, at the end of each day, make a comprehensive list of all the tasks that need your attention the following day. This list could include work assignments, personal projects, errands, and daily responsibilities.

2. Determining Priorities Using the ABCDE Method:
Recommended by many authors regarding the ABCDE method and how that is used to categorize tasks based on their level of importance:

• A: Tasks that are the most important and have significant consequences if left undone. Precisely the most important tasks at hand.
• B: Tasks that are important but not as urgent. These tasks have fewer consequences if left undone. Still, you have to do this, but only after the A category.
• C: Tasks that are nice to do but have no significant consequences if not done. You can still do this based on your time limitations.
• D: Tasks that can be delegated to someone else. You can ask for some help too.
• E: Tasks that can be eliminated entirely because they don’t contribute to your goals. It depends. Do you wish to postpone them at a later date.

3. Choosing Your Most Important Task:
Once you have categorized your tasks, identify the single most challenging or important one from your “A” tasks. This becomes your “important task for the day”, the task that you will tackle first thing in the morning.

Example:
Suppose you are a part of the marketing department of an organization, and you are assigned the role of the Marketing Manager, then you would start with the following tasks:

• A1: Finishing the marketing campaign proposal for a client presentation tomorrow.
• A2: Preparing the monthly marketing performance report.
• B1: Responding to non-urgent client emails.
• C1: Attending an optional networking event.
• D1: Delegating the weekly team status update emails to your assistant.
• E1: Researching trivial industry news during work hours can take up your crucial time. Why not spend it on self-development ways.

In this case, the A1 task becomes the task that needs to be done.

Step 2: Planning Your Morning

1. Time Block for the difficult tasks at hand (How would you do that)
Allocate an uninterrupted block of time in the morning specifically for your most difficult task. Aim for 60-90 minutes of focused work. Try to do as much as possible during this time. Schedule this time block as early in the day as possible to tackle the task with maximum energy and focus. Personally, I would have my cup of coffee and would try to devote as much time as possible to the given task.

2. Removing Distractions:
To ensure maximum productivity during your focused time, try to create an environment free of distractions. This may include:

• Turning off not required phone notifications, if required. Or else, just the unnecessary ones.
• Taking time off the social media and the email for during that 60-90 min time period.
• Try to prevent unnecessary browsing.
• Informing friends of any of the family member that you would be focusing on the current task right now and may not be completely available.

3. Preparing Materials in Advance:
The night before, gather all necessary research materials so that you can start working on your difficult task without delay. For instance, if you are working on the marketing campaign proposal, you might need previous campaign data, Canva templates, presentation templates, and may be notes from brainstorming meetings. May be notes from a book as well.

Example:
The marketing manager would:

• Time Block: Schedule 90 minutes from for example- 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. to complete the campaign proposal. If not entirely completed, at least try for the 80 percent completion.
• Remove Distractions: Try to avoid the phone or email notifications so that you can focus on the job at hand.
• Prepare Materials: Gather brainstorming notes, client feedback, previous campaign data and any other notes from the book or may be the web.

Step 3: Do the Job

1. Begin with Positivity and Intention:
Start your day with a positive mindset and a firm intention to complete your difficult task. Remind yourself of the importance of this task and the positive impact that would happen once you would complete the task. The contentment feeling.

2. Break the Task into Smaller Steps:
If the difficult task seems too large to complete in one go, break it down into smaller, manageable steps or sub-tasks. No need to do the entire task at one go. Completing these smaller steps will provide a sense of accomplishment and would keep you motivated.

3. Apply the Pomodoro Technique:
The Pomodoro Technique involves working in focused intervals of 25 minutes, followed by a short 5-minute break. After four intervals, you can easily take a longer break. This method would help you to maintain focus and productivity while preventing burnout.

Example:
The marketing manager could break the campaign proposal into smaller sections:

• Section 1: Introduction and Overview of Client Needs.
• Section 2: Market Research and Analysis.
• Section 3: Creative Strategy and Campaign Outline.
• Section 4: Budget and Timeline.
• Section 5: Conclusion and Recommendations.

During the 90-minute time block, they can work on each section using Pomodoro intervals.

Step 4: Reward Yourself or Celebrate in Small Ways

1. Celebrating Small Wins:
After completing your difficult task, reward yourself with something enjoyable to reinforce positive behavior in yourself. This reward could be a cup of your favorite coffee, a short walk outside, or listening to your favorite song. Take a small break to celebrate things which you love.

2. Reflecting on the Progress:
Take a few minutes to reflect on the progress made and how taking the difficult task challenge would positively impact your day. Recognize how accomplishing this challenging task first has set the tone for a productive day.

Example:
After finishing the campaign proposal, the marketing manager could:

• Reward: Enjoy a short walk in the park with a coffee.
• Reflection: Noting how completing the proposal early reduces any stress for the client presentation.

Step 5: Reviewing Your Day

1. Assess your commitment and Success:
At the end of the day, review how successful you were in handling the task. If you didn’t complete it, analyze why it was left undone and make adjustments for the next day.

2. Plan Tomorrow’s work
Create a new task list for the next day, you may categorize the tasks using the ABCDE method, and identify the task that will be tackled first thing in the morning.

Example:
The marketing manager would review their day and identify their tasks and simultaneously, would prepare the monthly marketing performance report as the difficult task for tomorrow. They can schedule a 90-minute time block from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. to work on it.

Additional Tips for Effective Managing the Difficult Tasks

1. Prioritize Based on Impact:

When identifying your tasks, choose tasks that have the highest impact on your goals and objectives. The more significant the task, the greater the reward it could bring to you and there would be a sense of accomplishment after completing it.

2. Create Accountability:

Share your difficult tasks with a trusted colleague, any friend, or any mentor, if you have, who can hold you accountable. Regular feedback by only the trusted people can motivate you to stick to your plan.

3. Learning to Say No:

Decline tasks and commitments that don’t align with your priorities or maybe if you feel like that you would not be able to take up extra efforts to do them as well. Think of how they can contribute to your goals. This frees up your essential time and your mental space to focus on your difficult tasks.

4. Developing a Consistent Routine:

Incorporating committing to the difficult job at hand into your daily routine by consistently scheduling your most important tasks in the morning or in the afternoon or in the evening. Whatever timetable suits you. This builds a habit of tackling high-priority tasks early.

5. Visualizing the Benefits:

Before starting your frog task, visualize the positive outcomes that completing the task will bring to you. Would you be satisfied enough to know that you had completed the most difficult job at hand. This mental imagery can boost your motivation and reduce procrastination.

Benefits of Doing the Difficult Job First

1. Increased Productivity:

Tackling the most important task first ensures that it gets done promptly and leaves you feeling accomplished. You might feel that now, that the difficult job is over, I can respiote for some time and then start again.

2. Reduced Stress:

Completing the challenging task early reduces a lot of anxiety and stress throughout the day.

3. Enhanced Focus:

Focusing on one important task at a time sharpens your concentration and minimizes distractions. It can help you to set up a precursor to the next set of tasks to be completed.

4. Consistent Progress:

Making steady progress on high-priority tasks each day leads to greater achievements over time. It is similar to learning things one percent better each day.

What we have learnt

Implementing the “Have the Difficult Job First” method requires discipline and careful planning but can result in increased productivity, reduced stress, and consistent progress every single day.

By identifying which task, you would wish to perform the first every single day, planning your morning around it, and eventually tackling it with unwavering focus, you can transform procrastination into purposeful action.

Incorporating this strategy into your daily routine can help you to improve on your productivity.

Take on the Difficult Task,

Love Always,

Godhuli