Cognitive Time Management: Eat The Frog

"Eating the frog" is a concept from time management that refers to tackling the most difficult or important task first (thing in the morning). The idea is that by getting the most challenging task out of the way early, you will have a sense of accomplishment and be more productive throughout the rest of the day.

The phrase "eating the frog" comes from a quote attributed to Mark Twain: "If the first thing you do each morning is to eat a live frog, you can go through the day with the satisfaction of knowing that that is probably the worst thing that is going to happen to you all day long." The quote is used to illustrate that getting the most difficult task done first thing in the morning, while not enjoyable, will help clear the way for the rest of the day.

The concept of "eating the frog" is based on the idea that we tend to procrastinate on difficult tasks and that by completing them first, we can reduce the cognitive load and make it easier to focus on other things throughout the day. It's also a way to avoid the "Parkinson's Law" that states that work expands to fill the time available for its completion.

It's important to note that "eating the frog" is not suitable for every type of task or individual. Before jumping onto the next most difficult task, evaluate your priorities and schedule accordingly. For all we know the most difficult task was because we have not found the correct approach or the approriate tools and apps in handling it. Sometimes, schedule your most important task for the time of day when you are most productive might be a more effective approach!