Getting Things Done

I’ve gotta tell ya… one of the greatest highs in the world is having a list of things to do and actually getting them done.

In Brian Tracy’s book, “Eat That Frog”, he talks about the positive addiction of task completion. Especially the completion of tasks that we have been procrastinating about, those things that seem so huge in our heads, but when we break them down and just tear into them, they, first of all, aren’t so bad, and second of all, provide such a sense of pleasure and satisfaction that we actually are motivated to do even more.

One of the suggestions in the book (and the reason for the title) is to start with the biggest, ugliest frog (task) on your plate. Get it out of the way early. So when you are looking at your task list, calendar, daily targets… whatever you happen to use, pick the one thing that you least want to do, and get started on it. Just get started. Take a bite. Don’t worry about the next bite. Keep the end in mind, but focus on what you are doing now.

The next thing you know, you will have digested that frog. And you will be so pleased with yourself, and have such a boost in self-esteem and energy that you will actually want to dive into the next one. And since it isn’t as big and ugly as the last one you just finished, of course you can do this one!

And yes, it can be addicting. One of the things that I know from my own drinking days is I used to think that the reason that I was putting this stuff in my body was because it was the easiest way to feel good. But near the end, it took some real work! When I started my last bender, I actually had to walk for two hours before I could find a place to get a drink from. And I know others out there who have done things that are pretty horrifying, just to get the thing that they thought was the only way that they could feel good again. Actually, never mind good… just human.

The effort that it takes to do the things to create a better life are so much easier. Just take one bite… then another… then another…

And the next thing you know, you aren’t having to eat as many frogs.