Publication History
"Eat That Frog! 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time" was first published by Berrett-Koehler Publishers in 2001. The book has since sold more than 450,000 copies and has been translated into 23 languages.
The Mark Twain Quote
Brian Tracy built the book around 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 it is probably the worst thing that is going to happen to you all day long."
In Tracy's framework:
- Your "frog" is your biggest, most important task
- The one you're most likely to procrastinate on
- Also the task that can have the greatest positive impact
- "Eating it" means completing it first thing
The 21 Great Ways
The book provides 21 practical methods for conquering procrastination and boosting productivity:
Key Principles Include:
- Set the table (decide exactly what you want)
- Plan every day in advance
- Apply the 80/20 Rule to everything
- Consider the consequences
- Practice creative procrastination
- Use the ABCDE method continuously
- Focus on key result areas
- The Law of Three
- Prepare thoroughly before you begin
- Take it one oil barrel at a time
- Upgrade your key skills
- Leverage your special talents
...and 9 more practical methods
Impact and Reception
The book became a business bestseller because:
- Simple, memorable metaphor
- Actionable techniques
- Direct, no-nonsense writing
- Universal applicability
- Quick read with immediate value
Editions and Updates
Since the original:
- Second Edition (2007) added updated content
- Third Edition included chapters on technology management
- Fully revised edition (2017) addressed digital distractions
- Audio versions narrated by Tracy himself
- Workbooks and seminar materials
The Seminar
Tracy expanded the book into a seminar on time management, offered through corporate training programs and available as workshop materials.
Why "Eating the Frog" Works
Psychological Benefits
- Momentum: Starting with the hardest task creates success momentum
- Reduced Anxiety: No longer dreading the difficult task all day
- Energy: Fresh morning energy applied to most important work
- Achievement: Sense of accomplishment early in the day
- Protection: Most important work gets best time before interruptions
Practical Implementation
- Identify Your Frog: What's your most important task?
- Prepare the Night Before: Set up everything needed
- Tackle It First: Before email, before meetings, before anything
- No Exceptions: Make it a daily habit
The Two-Frog Rule
Tracy advises: If you have two frogs, eat the ugliest one first. Start with the biggest, hardest, most important task.
Integration with Other Methods
Eat That Frog complements:
- GTD (provides the "what" after GTD's "capture and clarify")
- Pomodoro (provides the "which task" to apply Pomodoro to)
- Time Blocking (identifies the task worthy of prime time blocks)
- ABCDE Method (Tracy's own prioritization system)
Cultural Impact
"Eat the frog" entered productivity vocabulary:
- Common business jargon
- Coaching and consulting frameworks
- Team planning sessions
- Personal development programs
Brian Tracy's Background
Tracy brought to the book:
- 40+ years of business consulting
- Personal transformation from poverty to success
- Training over 5 million people
- Authoring 80+ books
- Practical, results-oriented approach
The Book's Lasting Value
Over 20 years after publication, "Eat That Frog!" remains relevant because procrastination and prioritization are timeless human challenges. The frog metaphor provides a memorable, actionable framework that translates across cultures and industries.
