Eat That Frog! (Tracy)

Eat That Frog! (Tracy)

21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time

Review by Liora Hess, Atlanta, GA

Eat that Frog is an excellent motivational book. The complaints I see by most here are along the lines that there's nothing new in this book. To me, there's nothing new in MOST self help books. After all, we each know that the way to stop procrastinating is to just do what we dread, the way to lose weight is to burn off more calories than we consume, the way to keep house is to clean and organize on a regular basis, and so on. What we seek is some motivation and some reasoning for doing what we dislike doing.

Brian Tracy gives this motivation and reasoning. This is a short, fast read. As the author says, it doesn't go into all the psychology of procrastination; rather, it gets right to the action. Brian Tracy covers such things as determining priorities, delegating and eliminating some tasks, knowing what's okay to procrastinate about, and whether to tackle your "frog" (your big task that will lend the greatest results) first or a lesser priority task.

The result is a clear, concise book that is helpful and shows that by regularly eating your frogs first, you develop a habit that makes it easier to accomplish more than the average person and do it with increasingly less effort. An excellent, worthwhile book that you will likely refer to time and time again.

Book Description
For people who are overwhelmed by tasks of all sizes, this book provides the 21 most effective methods for conquering procrastination and accomplishing more. By identifying, then tackling, their biggest, most unpleasant task first — the philosophy of "eating a frog" — readers learn to plan and organize each day, set priorities, get started right away, and complete jobs faster. Written in a fast-moving format and breezy style, this book is immediately accessible and applicable for readers in any occupation.

p.7"There is one quality that one must possess to win, and that is definiteness of purpose, the knowledge of what one wants and a burning desire to achieve it. - Napoleon Hill"

p.25"The mark of the superior thinker is his or her ability to accurately predict the consequences of doing or not doing something."

p.26"Successful people have a clear future orientation. They think five, ten, and twenty years out into the future. They analyze their choices and behaviors in the present to make sure that they are consistent with the long-term future that they desire."

p.35"When every physical and mental resource is focused, one's power to solve a problem multiplies tremendously. - Norman Vincent Peale"

p.41"The Law of Forced Efficiency says that 'There is never enough time to do everything, but there is always enough time to do the most important thing.' "

p.43"You can use three questions on a regular basis to keep yourself focused on getting your most important tasks completed on schedule. The first question is, 'What are my highest value activities?'... The second question you can ask continually is, 'What can I and only I do that, if done well, will make a real difference?'... The third question you can ask is, 'What is the most valuable use of my time right now?' "

p.61-62, 63"Identify Your Key Constraints [title] What is holding you back? What sets the speed at which you achieve your goals? ...Whatever you have to do, there is always a limiting factor that determines how quickly and well you get it done. Your job is to study the task and identify the limiting factor or constraint within it. You must then focus all of your energies on alleviating that single choke point.

In virtually every task, large or small, one factor sets the speed at which you achieve the goal or complete the job. What is it? Concentrate your mental energies on that one area. This can be the most valuable use of your time and talents... The accurate identification of the limiting factor in any process and the focus on that factor can usually bring about more progress in a shorter period of time than any other single activity."

p.64, 65"Keep asking, 'What sets the speed at which I get the results I want?' The definition of the constraint determines the strategy that you use to alleviate it. The failure to identify the correct constraint, or the identification of the wrong constraint, can lead you in the wrong direction. You can end up solving the wrong problem... there are always limiting factors and bottlenecks that set the speed of your progress. Your job is to find them and to focus your energies on alleviating them as quickly as possible."

p.86"One of the most powerful of all words in time management is the word 'No!' Say 'No' to anything that is not a high-value use of your time and your life. Say it early and say it often. The fact is that you have no spare time. As we say, 'Your dance card is full.' "