Image: Jack Hamilton on Unsplash
Lindsay’s productivity spotlight: Eat the Frog
ICYMI, last month I told you that I’m on a mission this year to test-drive some fresh productivity methods.
Each month, I'll dive into a different approach, give it a spin for a few weeks, and spill all the details of my experience.
About Eat the Frog
This month, I've bid farewell to procrastination and welcomed the "Eat the Frog" method into my daily routine.
I opted for this technique with purposeful intent — it seamlessly complements other strategies, making it a formidable ally in conquering procrastination, my arch-nemesis 👿.
With the aim of building on the momentum from last month's productivity streak, I'm hopeful that integrating this method will result in a delightful doubling of my productivity! 🤩
The idea behind "Eat the Frog" is simple yet profound.
The concept: Coined by author and productivity expert Brian Tracy, the "Eat the Frog" method is a time-management technique that encourages tackling your most challenging or important task first thing in the morning.
The goal: By doing so, you set the tone for the rest of your day and make everything else seem like a breeze.
You can check out Todoist or Zapier for a more in-depth explanation.
My leap into the frog pond
As a writer navigating the intricate worlds of novel creation and freelance content writing, I sought a daily challenge that would shake up my routine.
It’s super easy for me to focus on work and push off my creative writing to another day. Procrastination has often been the shadow on my writing journey. To combat this, I identified a daily frog that was both distinct from my regular work and creatively invigorating.
What was I aiming for? Craft a captivating short story (think flash fiction — under 1,500 words) each morning.
Each morning, I devoted focused time to concocting a brief, engaging narrative. As the words flowed onto the page, I found myself entering a realm of inspiration that set the tone for subsequent writing endeavors.
In just a few weeks, my daily short story frog has led me on a captivating writing adventure.
The act of completing a unique writing task early in the day worked wonders for my mindset. Armed with a sense of accomplishment, I faced the day with a proactive attitude.
This proactive mindset served as a shield, fending off the procrastination traps that had often ensnared me in the past. Instead of succumbing to distractions, I embraced the day with purpose.
The journey wasn't without its challenges. There were days when the blank page seemed daunting, but the commitment to this daily frog provided the push needed to overcome creative blocks.
Engaging in short story creation offered more than just a break from routine. It fostered a diversified creativity that spilled over into my novel and freelance projects. The characters, themes, and styles explored in these daily tales began to weave their way into my larger writing canvas.
Now, not only am I checking off boxes on my calendar (for the 30 minutes a day of writing from last month’s challenge), but I’m also getting my creative juices flowing by completing these short stories and enriching every aspect of my work.
The hardest part of this method? Deciding on your 'frog' for the day. In my case, I chose something audience-worthy. However, for most, the frog is often the hardest or most mentally challenging task, which can vary daily and among individuals, jobs, or task lists.
Only you can determine what your frog needs to be.
That being said, I believe this is the perfect productivity method for those who often get bit by the procrastination monster and need that extra push to get things done.
