Worst First Principle (Eat That Frog)
Brian Tracy's time management principle of tackling most difficult, unpleasant, or important task first thing each day. Based on Mark Twain quote about eating a frog. Ensures priority work gets done regardless of day's chaos, builds momentum, and provides psychological relief.
Last updated: 2026-03-18 11:25
Overview
Worst First (Eat That Frog) tackles most dreaded task first thing each morning.
The Principle
"If the first thing you do each morning is eat a live frog, you can go through the day with the satisfaction of knowing it's probably the worst thing that's going to happen to you all day."
Implementation
- Identify your "frog" (worst task) night before
- Do it first thing upon starting work
- No email, meetings, or other work first
- Complete or make significant progress
- Rest of day feels easier
Benefits
- Most important work gets done
- Builds discipline and momentum
- Reduces procrastination
- Provides psychological relief
- Other tasks feel easier by comparison
Pricing
Free principle from Brian Tracy.
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