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If you had to eat a live frog, the saying goes, do it first thing in the morning and the rest of the day will be easier. In Eat That Frog!, Brian Tracy uses this image to teach a simple lesson: do your biggest, most important task before anything else.
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This summary covers the frog idea, the ABCDE method and the main time management tips in the book, plus an honest look at the book's limits. You will find more titles like it in our Productivity & Habits book summaries.
Best for: procrastinators, students and professionals who want quick, practical habits for getting important work done. Reading time of the book: one or two evenings. Reading time of this summary: about five minutes.
The book in one sentence
Pick your most important task, start with it first thing, and keep working on it until it is finished.
About the author and the book
Brian Tracy is a Canadian-American motivational speaker and author who has written many books on sales, leadership and personal success. Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time, first published in 2001, is a short book made of 21 brief chapters, each with one practical technique.
The ABCDE method at a glance
| Letter | Type of task | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| A | Very important, serious consequences if undone | Do first, in priority order (A-1, A-2...) |
| B | Important, mild consequences | Do only after the A tasks |
| C | Nice to do, no consequences | Do when you have time |
| D | Can be delegated | Delegate it |
| E | No longer needed | Eliminate it |
5 ideas worth remembering
1. Your "frog" is your most important task
Tracy defines the frog as the task you are most likely to put off, and also the one that can have the biggest positive effect on your results. Do it first.
2. Plan every day in advance
Write your list the night before. Clear plans reduce stress and help you start fast. He says every minute spent planning saves about ten in execution.
3. Apply the 80/20 rule
About 20% of your tasks produce about 80% of your results. Focus on the few high-value tasks and avoid spending time on low-value ones.
4. Consider the consequences
Ask what the real consequences of doing or not doing a task are. The tasks with big consequences are usually the right ones to do first.
5. Slice and dice, then start
Large tasks seem easier when broken into small steps, and the hardest part is often just beginning. Create large chunks of focused time and avoid interruptions.
Strengths and limits
What works well
- Short, direct and easy to apply right away.
- Clear tools such as the ABCDE method and the 80/20 rule.
- Good motivation for people who struggle to start.
Where it falls short
- Many ideas are common in time management and not new.
- The tone is very motivational and a bit repetitive.
- Some advice is simple and may not fit complex or collaborative jobs.
Who should read it?
Who should read it: beginners in productivity and people who need a push to start. Who may skip it: readers who already use a developed planning system.
Key takeaways
- Do your biggest, most important task first.
- Plan the day the night before.
- Focus on the 20% that creates 80% of the results.
- Use the ABCDE method to rank tasks.
- Break big tasks down and start now.
FAQ
What does "eat that frog" mean?
It means doing your most difficult and important task first, before it can be postponed.
What is the ABCDE method?
A way to rank tasks from A (most important) to E (eliminate), so you work on the right things in the right order.
How many tips are in the book?
There are 21 short chapters, each presenting one technique.
Is Eat That Frog! worth reading?
Yes, if you want a quick, practical boost. If you know the 80/20 rule and task ranking, this summary may be enough.
Keep reading
- Atomic Habits by James Clear: Summary, Key Ideas & Review: habits that make starting easier every day.
- Deep Work by Cal Newport: Summary, Key Ideas & Review: deep focus to finish the frog.
- The War of Art: Breaking Through Resistance and Unleashing Your Inner Creative: on the resistance behind procrastination.
- All Productivity & Habits summaries
- Back to the SummarBooks home page
Ready to eat your frog?
Tonight, write the one task you would most like to avoid tomorrow, and do it first. If you want all 21 techniques, get a copy of Eat That Frog! on Amazon.
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Disclosure: as an Amazon Associate, SummarBooks earns from qualifying purchases. If you buy through the links above, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This summary is an independent overview and does not replace reading the book.