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Eat That Frog! 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time Hardcover – April 9, 2001
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There is a newer edition of this item:
Get More of the Important Things Done—Today!
There just isn’t enough time for everything on our to-do list—and there never will be. Successful people don’t try to do everything. They learn to focus on the most important tasks and make sure those get done. They eat their frogs.
There’s an old saying that if the first thing you do each morning is eat a live frog, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you’re done with the worst thing you’ll have to do all day. For Tracy, eating a frog is a metaphor for tackling your most challenging task—but also the one that can have the greatest positive impact on your life. Eat That Frog! shows you how to organize each day so you can zero in on these critical tasks and accomplish them efficiently and effectively.
In this fully revised and updated edition, Tracy adds two new chapters. The first explains how you can use technology to remind yourself of what is most important and protect yourself from what is least important. The second offers advice for maintaining focus in our era of constant distractions, electronic and otherwise.
But one thing remains unchanged: Brian Tracy cuts to the core of what is vital to effective time management: decision, discipline, and determination. This life-changing book will ensure that you get more of your important tasks done—today!
- Print length125 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherBerrett-Koehler Publishers
- Publication dateApril 9, 2001
- Dimensions5.75 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches
- ISBN-101583762027
- ISBN-13978-1583762028
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Editorial Reviews
Review
—Micro Business Hub
“If you find procrastination to be a consistent problem in your life, Eat
That Frog! offers a concise and valuable collection of tactics to try. The reasons for each person’s procrastination are different, so it’s good that Tracy’s tactics are fairly diverse and attack many different avenues of procrastination.”
—The Simple Dollar
“Eat That Frog! is my favourite book on productivity, and I often find myself rereading it in January to remind myself of the disciplines and practices I’d like to follow in the coming year. Each time I read the book, I find new nuggets of productivity gold.”
—Liz Gooster, Change for the Better
“Everyone has a frog, and eating that frog is the best thing you can do to stop procrastinating. Procrastination is a time-killer, and Tracy has a way of making getting over that frog fun and exciting. Every chapter presents a new idea, tip, and technique that will help you overcome that inner laziness that keeps you on the couch at night instead of in the gym.”
—Peanut Press
“Eat That Frog!, small in pages but huge in content, offers a cure for the curse of modern-day living: procrastination. Even though the medicine sounds painful (bush tucker trail kind of stuff), it isn’t. Like you,
I have read zillions of books—and most of the time I can’t remember anything that I have just read. Not with this one. I’m eating frogs daily and feeling better for it! I can’t recommend Eat That Frog! enough.”
—Corinna Richards, The Coaching Academy
“This book gave me the kick in the pants I needed to organize my to do lists, plan my days, become more productive, and get focused.”
—Beth Anne Schwamberger, Brilliant Business Moms
“Eat That Frog! is the most accessible book on time management and personal productivity—I recommend you read this one before you learn any particular time management system. There are tons of exercises and techniques that you can implement right away, and that is what I like the most about the book—it gives you actionable steps so you can start right away.”
—Thanh Pham, Asian Effi ciency
“An impactful read. The 21 ways that [Tracy] shares are real game changers, if you read with an eye towards self-improvement and an intention to make a change. I have benefi ted greatly from this book, and I highly recommend that you pick up your own copy today.”
—Chris Moore, Reflect on This
“We strongly recommend this book to anyone who wants to manage her time well and also add value to herself in this competitive world.”
—The Journal of Applied Christian Leadership
“I wasn’t expecting all that much from the book initially, as the whole ‘eating a frog’ seemed like some new age nonsense that didn’t really apply in real life. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The best thing about this book is that it actually tells you what you should do. It doesn’t just spout philosophy after philosophy about dreams and hope. It gives solid, practical advice that applies to pretty much every one—students, employees, stay-at-home moms, entrepreneurs, etc. Whether you’re having time management issues or not, I’d recommend you pick up this book. You’re sure to learn something useful from it.”
—Fab, Shocks and Shoes
“This book distinguishes itself from others of the same type by laying out specific guidelines for developing the self-discipline that allows you to start and complete important tasks in sequence. Each of the 21 chapters offers clear instructions and practice exercises to help you determine if you are making the best use of your time at any given moment. You’ll learn how to prepare yourself mentally and physically to tackle the task at hand, along with strategies for dividing it into manageable segments to keep you moving forward. You’ll even find out what to tell yourself to do if you’re having trouble getting started, or become distracted and need to get back on track.”
—Carnegie Library Business Librarians, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Berrett-Koehler Publishers (April 9, 2001)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 125 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1583762027
- ISBN-13 : 978-1583762028
- Item Weight : 12.2 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.75 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #342,833 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #357 in Time Management (Books)
- #1,420 in Stress Management Self-Help
- #7,520 in Personal Transformation Self-Help
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Brian Tracy is Chairman and CEO of Brian Tracy International, a company specializing in the training and development of individuals and organizations.
Brian's goal is to help you achieve your personal and business goals faster and easier than you ever imagined.
Brian Tracy has consulted for more than 1,000 companies and addressed more than 5,000,000 people in 5,000 talks and seminars throughout the US, Canada, and 55 other countries worldwide. As a Keynote speaker and seminar leader, he addresses more than 250,000 people each year.
He has studied, researched, written and spoken for 30 years in the fields of economics, history, business, philosophy, and psychology. He is the top selling author of over 45 books that have been translated into dozens of languages.
He has written and produced more than 300 audio and video learning programs, including the worldwide, best-selling Psychology of Achievement, which has been translated into more than 20 languages.
He speaks to corporate and public audiences on the subjects of Personal and Professional Development, including the executives and staff of many of America's largest corporations. His exciting talks and seminars on Leadership, Selling, Self-Esteem, Goals, Strategy, Creativity and Success Psychology bring about immediate changes and long-term results.
Prior to founding his company, Brian Tracy International, Brian was the Chief Operating Officer of a $265 million dollar development company. He has had successful careers in sales and marketing, investments, real estate development and syndication, importation, distribution, and management consulting. He has conducted high-level consulting assignments with several billion-dollar plus corporations in strategic planning and organizational development.
He has traveled and worked in over 80 countries on six continents and speaks four languages. Brian is happily married and has four children. He is active in the community and national affairs and is the President of three companies headquartered in Solana Beach, California.
Customer reviews
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To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the advice in the book extremely helpful and good. They say it's well worth reading, enjoyable, and a great use of their time. Readers describe the book as straightforward, simple, and concise. They also appreciate the short chapters that don't overwhelm them with too much information. Overall, customers say the book is worth their money and often on sale.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the advice in the book good. They say it helps them envision success in their goals and provides a good summary of actions and habits needed to improve time management.
"This is a very simple book to read, with lots of wonderful ideas for staying on task and getting things done, I highly recommend it...." Read more
"Definitely worth the read and this is a very helpful quick reference." Read more
"...like vacation after completing A. Result: most important, high impact task completed...." Read more
"...All together, these 21 ideas represent a smorgasbord of personal effectiveness techniques that you can use at any time, in any order or sequence..." Read more
Customers find the book well worth reading, enjoyable, and fun. They say it's a great use of their time and motivated them through boring tasks. Readers also mention the first chapters are awesome and the book is a quick read.
"I whizzed through this quickly. It completely held my interest! I really can't wait to start using the great lessons!" Read more
"Definitely worth the read and this is a very helpful quick reference." Read more
"...ImpressionsThis was a really good book and probably my most higlighted...." Read more
"...are valuable, and worth reading -- especially considering the book is so short (only 117 pages)...." Read more
Customers find the book straightforward, with simple advice. They say the main tenets are conceptualized memorably. Readers also appreciate the clear actionable steps and instructions on how to avoid procrastination. Additionally, they mention the writing style is simple and direct, which makes the book appealing.
"This is a very simple book to read, with lots of wonderful ideas for staying on task and getting things done, I highly recommend it...." Read more
"...It provides clear actionable steps though it does tend to repeat itself quite a bit.Who Should Read It?..." Read more
"...I am pleasantly surprised at this book and the simple methods that if implemented even at a fraction, could be life changing...." Read more
"...Each chapter is the length of an article so it’s easy to read...." Read more
Customers find the book short and easy to read. They say the chapters don't overwhelm them with too much information. Readers also mention the font is 20pt, very large, and the book is sized to carry around.
"...But if you’re looking for a short, accessible primer on the most important fundamentals of productivity, prioritization, organization and focus, a..." Read more
"...are valuable, and worth reading -- especially considering the book is so short (only 117 pages)...." Read more
"...The chapters are bite-sized - many are just four pages...." Read more
"The book is short and sweet. It describes the most important principles of time management to make you a successful and satisfied person...." Read more
Customers find the book worth their money. They say it has great value in the 21 steps to keep their lives moving forward. Readers also mention the book is easy to read and worthwhile.
"...And indeed, the insights provided in "Eat That Frog!" are valuable, and worth reading -- especially considering the book is so short (only 117 pages)..." Read more
"I have read this book a couple times now. There is so much value in the 21 steps to take to keep your life moving forward. Highly recommend." Read more
"“Eat That Frog!” by Brian Tracy is very worthwhile, a small easily digested morsel for those of us facing an overwhelming schedule...." Read more
"This is a highly rated and high selling book about getting things done and being effective...." Read more
Customers find the book clear, concise, and straightforward. They say it speaks to them directly and is an excellent communicator. Readers also mention the lessons are simple and sometimes obvious.
"...Full of useful information and concisely presented...." Read more
"...This book has good advice on every page and goes straight to the point. So in a few hours you will have gained key tips after you start reading it...." Read more
"...repetitive at times, I still believe that Brian has kept the message straight and simple...." Read more
"...This is a very interesting book, with a clear vision on how to overcome it...." Read more
Customers find the book actionable, with lots of tips and an incredible call to action. They also appreciate the action exercises at the end of each chapter. Readers mention the book is concise, to the point, and engaging.
"...It's a fast, easy read, with action steps that anyone can immediately implement.*..." Read more
"...The writing in this book is concise, to the point and engaging. There does seem to be some redundancy but easily sped read when approached...." Read more
"...Tracy shares 21 ways to organize, prioritize, and move ahead with any project!..." Read more
"Easy to read with lots actionable tipsGreat recommendation from the BookstagramLooking forward to putting it to use know!" Read more
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The frog of course, is a metaphor for your most important task, that will produce the most valuable result, often the one you are most likely to procrastinate on if you don’t do it now.
I’m a fitness coach, so I like to review and share personal development and motivation books that are applicable to fitness as well as business and life in general. This book is mostly slanted to work, business, sales and financial success, but there are some general productivity ideas in the book that could apply to every area in life. If your health and fitness is what’s most important for you right now, then certainly a workout first thing in the morning could be your frog. (I recommend it).
I’ve followed Brian since 1993 and have had the 2001 hardcover edition since it was first published. I recently picked up the newest edition. The new update includes two extra chapters, the first with tips on how to use technology to remind yourself of what is most important and protect yourself from what is least important. The second offers advice for maintaining focus in the modern era of constant distractions. (Certainly useful since the internet was in its infancy and life was much slower-paced 20 years ago).
Even the new expanded edition is still a short book at only 145 pages. Each chapter is the length of an article so it’s easy to read. It’s the type of book you can finish in two or three sittings (one if you’re ambitious), or you can slowly get through it one chapter at a time in spare minutes here and there.
As mentioned above, this is a book about being more productive including how to stop procrastinating. But this is not just a book about time management or productivity (how to get more done), it’s a book about how to choose and tackle priorities (how to get the most important thing done first). There are many books about time management but not many about how to prioritize. Eat That Frog is one of the few.
I agree with Brian that becoming a master of choosing the most important task and focusing on that before anything else is one of the most valuable skills you can possess. It can exponentially increase your success in any area of life.
This is not the most in-depth book on these topics. There are other excellent reads that go deeper. For example, Brian gives one short chapter to the 80-20 rule. Richard Koch wrote an entire book on it. Some of my other favorites on focus and prioritization include The One Thing, Deep Work And Essentialism. Nir Eyal’s Indistractible is also a good read about how to stay focused in today’s world.
But if you’re looking for a short, accessible primer on the most important fundamentals of productivity, prioritization, organization and focus, a book with absolutely zero space wasted on fluff, then you won’t be disappointed with Eat That Frog. Based on how often I’ve seen this book recommended and based on rankings, it looks like this is still one of Brian Tracy’s most popular titles.
The author and executive coach adds, "And forget about solving your time management problems by becoming more productive. No matter how many personal productivity techniques you master, there will always be more to do than you can ever accomplish in the time you have available to you, no matter how much it is."
The good news? Frogs!
He quotes Mark Twain's wit and wisdom, "Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day."
So Tracy serves up two frog rules and 21 ways to stop procrastinating and accomplish more in less time.
Frog Rule #1. "If you have to eat two frogs, eat the ugliest one first."
Frog Rule #2. "If you have to eat a live frog at all, it doesn't pay to sit and look at it for very long."
Time management books are a dime a dozen. So what's different about this one--and why should you read it?
Instead of tasting the frogs, taste these chapter titles:
--Apply the 80/20 Rule to Everything
--Practice Creative Procrastination
--Focus on Key Result Areas
--Upgrade Your Key Skills
I recommend books that align with my 20 buckets (core competencies). They must also have alignment with the best leadership and management writers. The author references Peter Drucker, Stephen Covey and others whose works complement this must-read procrastination fix-it book.
My friend and mentor, George Duff, reads Drucker's The Effective Executive: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done (Harperbusiness Essentials) ("know your time") once a year. Covey's four quadrant diagram in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is mentally tattooed on my forehead. A look in the mirror reminds me: Am I focused on the correct quadrant? Several clients report that Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity, by David Allen, has dramatically changed their daily productivity.
So...what do you read every year, especially in January, to keep yourself and your team members focused on Priority #1? Try Tracy's book. You can read it in about 90 minutes (117 pages)--and the 21 short chapters with two "Eat That Frog!" next steps are perfect for a weekly "Procrastinators Anonymous" self-help meeting. ("Hi. My name is John and I'm a procrastinator. Please pass the donuts.")
If you've conquered procrastination, you will still find the 21 strategies valuable--especially as you coach others. "One strategy might be effective in one situation and another might apply to another task. All together, these 21 ideas represent a smorgasbord of personal effectiveness techniques that you can use at any time, in any order or sequence that makes sense to you at the moment."
The one-liners are memorable--and poster-worthy:
--"Goals are the fuel in the furnace of achievement."
--"Just find out what other successful people do and do the same things until you get the same results. Learn from the experts."
--"One of the very worst uses of time is to do something very well that need not be done at all."
--"Before you begin scrambling up the ladder of success, make sure it is leaning against the right building." (Stephen Covey)
--"It only takes about 10 to 12 minutes for you to plan out your day, but this small investment of time will save you up to two hours (100 to 120 minutes) in wasted time and diffused effort throughout the day."
--"Resist the temptation to clear up small things first."
--"Time management is really life management, personal management. It is really taking control of the sequence of events."
Somehow, we always get payroll out on time! Brian Tracy's Law of Forced Efficiency says, "There is never enough time to do everything, but there is always enough time to do the most important thing." How effectively do you manage your time?
And finally, this myth-buster: The author writes, "Under the pressure of deadlines, often self-created through procrastination, people suffer greater stress, make more mistakes, and have to redo more tasks than under any other conditions." Have you believed the myth that you're more productive under deadline pressures?
Idea: buy a dozen books to share with your team members. Delegate to a point person who will recruit people for five-minute chapter summaries at each of your next 21 staff meetings.
1. Work from prioritized task lists
2. You are responsible for your own motivation, don't rely on outside sources
3. Focus and time allocation are key to ensuring maximum productivity
Impressions
This was a really good book and probably my most higlighted. It provides clear actionable steps though it does tend to repeat itself quite a bit.
Who Should Read It?
Anyone that is struggling with procrastination or with take the vital first step in getting the important things done.
How the Book Changed Me
This book has helped me to see the importance of doing the difficult tasks first and prioritizing my ugly frogs. I have already seen results in working from tasks lists in this way in that I find myself more motivated to get things checked off. I feel better about tackling the big things on my plate first as this gives me a sense of accomplishment.
My Top 3 Quotes
1. Failure to execute is one of the biggest problems in organizations today. Many people confuse activity with accomplishment. They talk continually, hold endless meetings, and make wonderful plans, but in the final analysis, no one does the job and get the results required.
2. One of your top goals at work should be to get the highest possible return on your investment of your mental, emotional, and physical energy.
3. In the final analysis, nothing will help yo more in your career than for you to get the reputation for being the kind of person who gets important work done quickly and well.
Top reviews from other countries
Effective if you look for how to improve productivity and prioritise tasks more efficiently.








