The title might smell froggy here! 🙂 However, it doesn’t entice you to actually eat a frog and I am sure everyone knows it already. So, on this lighter note, let’s begin the book review of Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time by Brian Tracy. I have read many self-help books and each one of these books has its merits. Eat That Frog has many qualities. First of all, it’s truly inspirational. And it inspires readers to do small acts in order to achieve big. Sounds familiar? Well, all the books want readers to do good… and the messages might match at times. However, what matters the most is how a book delivers the right message. So, let’s get into the depths of this bestselling self-help book by Brian Tracy.
Eat That Frog aims to help readers overcome procrastination, improve productivity, and achieve their goals more effectively. The author himself reveals that the book’s title is derived from the famous quote by Mark Twain, “Eat a live frog first thing in the morning, and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” Brian Tracy uses this metaphor to emphasise the importance of tackling the most challenging and critical tasks early in the day. And once you do so, you may have all your day with easier work to do… and you may well enjoy the day for yourself. Let’s discuss the key features of this book one by one.
Key Features of the Book Eat That Frog:
1. The Power of Prioritisation: Once you start reading this book, you will come to realise that one of the central themes in Eat That Frog is the significance of setting clear priorities. Tracy introduces the concept of the 80/20 rule, also known as the Pareto Principle, which suggests that 20% of your efforts produce 80% of your results. Though it might seem amusing at first glance, the author explains it wonderfully. He advises readers to identify their most important tasks, the “frogs,” and focus on completing them first. By prioritising and tackling high-impact tasks, individuals can achieve more in less time. The author writes:
“Your ‘frog’ is your biggest, most important task, the one you are most likely to procrastinate on if you don’t do something about it.” – Brian Tracy
2. Time Management Techniques: Time is money! And indeed so, especially in today’s competitive world! And therefore, Tracy provides readers with a variety of practical time management techniques to optimise their productivity. The author brings to readers’ notice the concept of time chunking, which involves breaking the day into dedicated blocks of time for specific tasks. Tracy argues that this approach may help reduce distractions and enhances focus on essential activities. He suggests planning the day in advance:
“One of the best ways to overcome procrastination is to plan your day in advance.” – Brian Tracy
3. Overcoming Procrastination: One of the key highlights of the book is its methods to combat procrastination. The book addresses the common challenge of procrastination and provides valuable insights into understanding its causes and how to overcome it. Tracy shares actionable strategies to develop discipline, boost motivation, and build habits that lead to a more proactive and focused approach to work and life. The key is focusing on one goal at a time. Tracy writes:
“The ability to concentrate single-mindedly on your most important task, to do it well and to finish it completely, is the key to great success, achievement, respect, status, and happiness in life.” – Brian Tracy
4. Goal Setting and Visualisation: Another important key aspect of the book is goal setting. Tracy emphasises the significance of setting clear, measurable goals and visualising the desired outcomes to create a strong sense of purpose and motivation. Once you set clear goals and have a clear distinction of outcomes, you can move ahead and achieve your goals one by one. The author guides readers through the process of creating actionable plans to achieve their objectives effectively.
“Decide exactly what you want and where you want to go. Set a deadline. Make a list of everything you can think of that you are going to have to do to achieve your goal.” – Brian Tracy
So, in light of these special features as discussed above, let me tell you in brief what makes this book useful, special and unique. What makes Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy special is its exceptional ability to distil complex productivity concepts into a concise, practical guide that resonates with readers from all walks of life. Tracy’s skilful use of the frog metaphor not only captures the essence of tackling daunting tasks head-on but also instils a sense of urgency and empowerment in readers to conquer procrastination and achieve their goals. By providing actionable strategies for prioritisation, time management, and goal setting, the book equips individuals with the tools they need to transform their productivity and lead more fulfilling lives. Its approachable writing style, combined with timeless principles, makes Eat That Frog a timeless and impactful resource in the realm of personal development literature.
However, like every other book out there, in any genre, and even the best self-help books of all time, this book also has its limitations. In the section below, I will try to highlight some pros and cons of the book side by side so that you can decide whether you are an ideal reader of this book or not. Though more likely you may decide to read the book, it’s my job to highlight the positives and the negatives of Tracy’s bestselling work.
Pros:
1. Practical and Actionable: Eat That Frog offers a wealth of practical tips and techniques that readers can implement immediately to enhance their productivity. And it is remarkable that Tracy’s advice is straightforward and easy to understand, making it accessible to a wide audience.
2. Concise and Engaging: Unlike many other books in the self-help genre, the book by Tracy is relatively short and concise, presenting its ideas in a straightforward and engaging manner. Tracy’s writing style is clear, making it easy for readers to absorb the concepts without feeling overwhelmed.
3. Broad Applicability: The principles outlined in the book are applicable to various aspects of life, not just work or business. Readers can apply the strategies to personal goals and projects, as well as professional endeavours. In short, the book is readable by everyone – a student, an employee, a businessman, a professor, and even a minister!
Cons:
1. Familiar Concepts: For seasoned readers already well-versed in self-help and time management literature, some of the ideas presented in Eat That Frog may feel repetitive or familiar. If you have read this review carefully, I already highlighted it at the beginning of this article. Tracy’s insights largely draw from existing productivity principles. So, if you are experienced in reading motivational books, you may find ideas similar to what you may have read before.
2. Lack of In-Depth Analysis: While the book covers a wide range of productivity topics, it doesn’t delve deeply into any one subject. And it is what makes the book readable, no doubt. However, there are readers who want more! They might prefer a more comprehensive exploration of specific techniques and their psychological underpinnings.
Conclusion:
Though the book has its specialities and limitations, nothing to take away from the fact that Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their productivity, overcome procrastination, and achieve their goals. This book has many qualities that will offer readers from diverse backgrounds something to learn, implement and achieve. The book’s focus on prioritisation, time management, and goal setting provides actionable steps for readers to implement immediately. Yes, although the concepts discussed in the book may not be entirely groundbreaking for seasoned self-help readers, Tracy’s succinct writing style and practical advice make it an excellent starting point for those new to personal development literature. The author has certainly, however, done something big by emphasising the importance of tackling the most critical tasks first and building productive habits, Eat That Frog!
If you want to read this book right away, you can order a copy from Amazon India. Click the link below to directly land on Amazon’s book page and order instantly:
Buy the book now – click here for the Amazon book page.Â
Review by Ashish for Thoughtful Critic
Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating... Brian Tracy Book Review
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Thoughtful Critic's Rating
Summary
The book is timeless… as far as you want to understand the process of time management and dividing your day into chunks to get the job done… for other things that may be demanded in the challenging days of contemporary world, the book may lag behind!
