Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy

It’s an incredible book, I tell you.

And among other things, it will teach you:

• You will learn Why your to do list is all wrong.

• You will learn How to eat that frog and enjoy the meal.

• You will learn How to not just get things done faster;

  but to get the right things done faster and more efficiently.

• You will learn How your thought process is hurting you,

  and what to do about it.

• You will learn 21 practical steps that will help you stop procrastinating and get more of the important tasks done.

• You will learn Specific actions you can take immediately to get better results in your work.

Now, Brian Tracy has spent more than 30 years learning and teaching success principles around the world. In this book he shares 21 strategies to get the most important work done.

"There is never enough time to do everything you have to do. Some people are doing better than others because they do things differently and they do the right things right," he says.

The premise of Eat That Frog is that you will achieve much more in your work and your life if you focus on one important task to completion and do it well. You need to acquire the discipline of tackling the most important and hardest task first. The best way to do this is to get started on it as soon as possible. Don't sit and stare at it for too long. Action is the key to getting things done.

Be clear about your goals, as this will help you understand exactly what you need to do to achieve your goals and to overcome procrastination. He goes on to share a powerful 7 step formula for setting clear and exciting goals.

Once you've clearly written down your goals and made a list of the actions to take, all you have to do is follow through. The best way to do this, according to Brian Tracy, is to plan every day in advance. Make a list of the actions you will complete the next day, from this list select your frog (your biggest and most important task) and do it first thing in the morning.

He recommends you use the 80/20 rule when deciding which task to begin with. Ask yourself the following question: Is this task part of the 20% that results in 80% of my productivity?

The book also explains why contribution and value are the two most important words in building a successful career. You don't get paid for the time you spend at work; you get paid for the value you bring to the marketplace. The philosophy of success is quite simple: find out what successful people do and do the same things until you get the same results.

Next, he talks about time management. And he says that "Time management is really taking control of the sequence of events... it’s your ability to choose between the important and the unimportant tasks". He goes on to say that the potential consequences of doing or not doing a particular activity are what determine the importance and urgency of any activity.

As you go through your day ask yourself the following question, what is the most valuable use of my time right now? This helps you to focus on your most important activities. Are you willing to make sacrifices in the short term to be able to enjoy rewards in the long term? Remember, there is never enough time to do everything. Focus on the activities that will bring the best returns.

Brian Tracy explains why you need to create a comfortable workspace and prepare thoroughly before you begin any undertaking. Ensure you have everything you need to complete the assignment successfully. Work diligently by taking baby steps; don't overwhelm yourself by trying to do too many things at once. Focus on one task and finish it before moving on to the next activity.

Energy management is more important than time management according to Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz, authors of The Power of Full Engagement. Brian Tracy endorses this belief and advises that the quality of your health impacts the quality of performance. Guard your diet strictly and never miss an opportunity for a good workout.

Mindset and motivation also play a critical role in your success. Keep yourself motivated, feed your mind with positive thoughts, and don’t let your inner voice discourage you. Leave as little room for worry and regret as possible. Worrying is the same as betting against yourself - don't do it. Practice optimism instead.

Don't undermine the value of continuous self-development. Upgrade your technical and personal skills constantly. Remember that everything is learnable if you just put your mind to it. This continued learning will increase your confidence in your abilities, it will also help you identify your limitations and devise a plan to overcome them.

Raise the bar and keep striving to get better. Go the extra mile, create deadlines for yourself and work hard to beat them. Make a game out of breaking your own records, have fun with your work.

Technology can be your friend or your enemy when it comes to being productive. The trick to succeed with technology is not to become addicted. Not every email that comes into your inbox is urgent; some are total time-wasters. Brian Tracy takes you through a process that will allow you to reclaim you most valuable asset - TIME.

He also shows you how to use time blocks to your advantage. You can incorporate this time blocking strategy when you sit down to plan your day in advance. During these time blocks, turn off all possible distractions and focus on getting the job done.

Be action oriented, develop a sense of urgency.

Don't hesitate - don't delay - Do It Now.

Capitalize on the momentum you've built, and keep going.