What’s Your Frog? A Simple Strategy to Beat Procrastination
I recently came across a quote often attributed to Mark Twain:
“Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.”
My first reaction? Disgust.
Why would anyone talk about eating a live frog?
While it turns out Mark Twain likely never said this, the idea behind the quote is surprisingly useful—especially when it comes to procrastination and Executive Function challenges.
Why Procrastination Happens
Many of us struggle with procrastination. We have an entire day (or afternoon, or evening) ahead of us—and endless distractions competing for our attention. It becomes very easy to put tasks off until later.
And later…
often turns into never.
That’s where this strategy comes in.
What Does “Eat the Frog” Mean?
When I work with students and adults, I encourage them to ask a simple question:
What’s my frog?
In other words:
What is the most important task?
What is the most difficult or daunting task?
What is the task I’m avoiding the most?
That task is your frog.
When you tackle your frog first—before the easier or more enjoyable tasks—the rest of your time often feels lighter and more manageable. You’ve already done the hardest thing.
And there’s a bonus: completing a challenging task early earns your brain a hit of dopamine, which can increase motivation and momentum for the rest of the day.
How to Find Your Frog
This strategy works well for both adults and students, but it often needs to be taught explicitly.
Here’s how to identify your frog:
Make a list of all tasks or assignments.
(Many students need support with this step—and that’s okay.)Step back and look at the list.
Pay attention to:Missed or overdue assignments
Tasks due tomorrow
Long-term projects with approaching deadlines
Tasks you’ve been actively avoiding
Name the frog.
That’s the task that matters most right now.
Make Your Frog Visible
Once you’ve identified your frog, write it down and put it somewhere you’ll see it:
On a sticky note
On a whiteboard
On your bathroom mirror
Anywhere that’s clearly in sight
Visibility matters. If it’s out of sight, it’s much easier to avoid.
Then—just start. The first step doesn’t have to be big.
Want to Take It Up a Notch?
At the end of each day, choose tomorrow’s frog and write it down before you go to bed. This small habit can make mornings far less overwhelming and reduce decision fatigue.
One Final Question
So—what’s your frog?
Identify it.
Write it down.
And give it a try.
Little by little, change happens.
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Carrie Bonnett is a veteran teacher and Executive Function coach based in Bend, OR. Carrie works with students and families (and adults, too). Her coaching empowers students to thrive in life and in school, helps parents and teachers to better support their children, and guides adult to get on top of all that life requires. In addition to coaching, she is also an adjunct instructor for early-career teachers at University of Portland in Oregon. For more information, visit www.carriebonnett.com.
