Nowadays, it seems like we are busier than ever. We always ask ourselves how we will finish this task on time, or I cannot possibly get all these tasks done. It does not matter whether we are at home or work; we always want to accomplish more. The sooner we quit procastinating and get our tasks done the better. That is why I reviewed the book “Eat That Frog” by Brian Tracy.
Fortunately, there is light at the end of the tunnel. To be more productive, we need to perform at a higher level.
Find out how to “eat the frog” or tackle the most challenging, most important tasks first while you become more focused and disciplined.
According to the author, after reading the book, you will learn
- To increase your productivity by 25%
- Which tasks you should focus on before others; and
- How cooks are great role models when it comes to high-productivity preparation.
Every Goal Starts With a Plan –
Before you do anything, you must define your goals. An essential part of productivity is clarity. You cannot work unless you know what you need to do. So, figure out what tasks matter the most! Clarify is the first step in overcoming procrastination.
It is best to write down your goals instead of trying to figure them out in your head. Here is an important fact to remember: only 3% of adults manage their time with written goals, and they accomplish 5 to 10 times as much as other people.
Also, use checklists as they help you visualize your goals. You will be more motivated to keep going once you see how much you have completed. In previous episodes, I discussed how motivating it was for me to check off each task. It helps you stay motivated. Your productivity will increase by 25% when you work from a list. As a result, it saves you a lot of time when you don’t have to decide what to do next.
Finally, you can work more efficiently when using the 80/20 rule. The 80/20 rule known as the Pareto Principle says that every list of ten tasks should include two more important than the others. You will focus on those two tasks.
Establish Priorities and Focus on Them | To Get Tasks Done
Once you know what you need to do, focus on doing it efficiently. How? Well, you need to set your priorities.
Take a moment to think about the consequences of your actions. What do you want to achieve? If you envision how you will feel in the future, you are more likely to make the best everyday decisions.
ABCDE Method Of Getting Tasks Done
To help you stick to your priorities, consider using the ABCDE method. Start by writing down your tasks. Next, assign a letter from A to E, with the A items being the highest priority. Tasks assigned to Category E may not get completed depending on the time available.
So, when reviewing your to-do list, the A category items are your most challenging frogs. Eat those first! Your key to success is by accomplishing those A tasks. Focus all your willpower on completing these goals. Only stop working when you have completed your goals.
Progress is about Self-exploration
Being productive is not about a good plan. It is a constant state of learning. You have to keep adapting as you learn the most effective ways to execute your plans.
So, how do you do this? Well, there are a few ways. The first step is to find the right environment. In other words, find a space where you can honestly think for and be yourself.
Next is to make sure that this environment is clean. After all, you will be more comfortable with the desk being dust-free!
Now, see that you have everything that you need ready to go. Collect whatever is necessary for completing the most critical tasks. After all, you can’t start cooking without having all the ingredients.
You must understand your skills. Everyone has an exceptional talent that makes them unique. Find yours, then maximize its potential.
What skills? Well, you might be great at figures, foreign languages, working with people, or holding up under pressure. You can find your skills by asking yourself the right questions. What is easy for you that’s difficult for others? What has helped you achieve what you already have in your life?
Finally, never stop learning and improving. You can always get better at what you do. Also, you can continuously refine your skills. By doing so will prevent you from losing them and gain more confidence.
There are many opportunities to keep learning. You can use the time that you spend commuting each year to listen to audiobooks. Capitalize on every situation you are in and set yourself on your pathway to self-improvement.
Perform best by staying Optimistic and Self-disciplined
You can not be successful without training and discipline. Training and discipline might sound like a boxer preparing for a boxing match, but it is crucial.
After all, your body is your engine for your success. A machine functions better if it is well maintained. In other words, take care of yourself. You work more effectively when energized.
Don’t go overboard and wear yourself out. After all, a human wears down just like a machine that has been running for too long. Your productivity starts to decline aft eight hours of continuous work.
By getting eight hours of sleep each night will cause you to be well-rested and more efficient. Do not skip out on the rest!
Next, it is essential to find out what time of day you are most productive. The average person is more effective in the morning after a good night’s rest. When do you feel most creative and sharp?
Did you know that 95% of our emotions result from the way we talk to ourselves? After all, your thoughts create your reality, so strive for optimism. Look for the good in every situation and learn lessons from your setbacks. Lastly, don’t forget to find the solution for every problem.
An essential skill to develop is self-discipline in creative procrastination. Creative procrastination means consciously choosing activities you can postpone or skip.
The majority of people postpone their most critical tasks. Efficient people, however, can deliberately procrastinate for less valuable activities, like watching TV.
Acknowledge what is Holding you Back – Then Overcome It.
It is easier to plan for success than it is to achieve it. You progress through this journey; you will encounter all sorts of obstacles you couldn’t have predicted. How can you overcome them?
The first step is to find out what is holding you back from realizing your goals. Many things can limit you, like people, personal weaknesses, or a lack of resources. Nearly anything can hold you back if you let it.
But be careful and fall into the trap of blaming the external world for your failures. People often get frustrated with their jobs or families, and when they are down, they tend to blame them for being the problem.
Also, don’t overlook your internal limiting factors. You might not have the skills, experience, or abilities that you need to achieve your goal in the beginning.
It is okay to feel overwhelmed. Just remember to focus on just one task at a time. You will progress. Just tackle that first task and then move on to the next one.
Think of it this way. You can not start by running a marathon if you have not run one mile. However, if your work out every day and improve gradually, you will get stronger and stronger until you reach your goal.
You need to be the one to set the bar high for yourself. After all, you cannot wait for other people like your boss or spouse to push you toward what you want. You need to be your source of motivation.
If you can be consistent, you will join the 2% of people who work without supervision. They are called leaders.
Take Control of Your Own Time
There is one more critical factor for being productive. You already know what it is if you’ve ever felt like you did not have time for all the vital tasks you need to do. It’s time management.
Unfortunately, you cannot split up every task. The most significant jobs ofter require long stretches of unbroken attention.
It is beneficial to keep a schedule of your day in your mind. If you are struggling to schedule your time effectively, start making an appointment with yourself and sticking to them. Try breaking down your day into time slots. I have found this to be extremely helpful.
You can also try dedicating your early morning hours to the work you can do by handling emails. Save the other tasks for your afternoon in the busy office.
Although planning is essential, you can go overboard on it. So, don’t take too long to take action—your only experience the mental state of flow when you are consistently working. Flow occurs when ideas come to you quickly.
You will enter a state of flow when you develop a sense of urgency about the task you need to perform. Don’t just talk about it-get it done now. Eat that frog, and you will gradually gain an inner drive that pushes you beyond your current limits. By setting yourself on the right path, staying dedicated, you will reach your goals!
Summary – Getting Tasks Done
Although I enjoyed the book, I felt like it was rephrasing the same strategies that I have read in other books like “Getting Things Done” and “ How To Make Time.” It was interesting to see how the author put his spin on the topic.
I believe that the author’s model of ABCDE method provides to many levels. For instance, when I tried his method, I spent way too much time trying to figure out which task when to which category because it provided to many choices. I think it would have been better to select only those things that absolutely must be accomplished today. Let the others sit on the list. Then at the end of the day reorganize the list for the next day.
Most people get stuck in the planning phase and have a hard time moving on to the execution stage. For instance, when I wanted to start the YouTube channel, I kept procrastinating because I wanted everything to be perfect, but I had no idea how to do that. Then I just decided to start the channel and work on perfection as I produce more videos. My videos are still not excellent, but they are so much better!!
It does not matter how many books you read or videos you watch. The only way you will stop procrastinating and get your taskings done is to do it!
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