Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What if my frog is too big for one session?
This is a very common issue and usually means you’ve identified a project, not a task. The solution is to break it down. If your frog is “Write a 20-page research paper,” you’re guaranteed to fail. Instead, shrink the frog into a “tadpole.” Your frog for today could be “Create a detailed outline for the paper” or “Write the 500-word introduction.” The key is to define a chunk of work that represents meaningful progress and can realistically be completed in a single, focused 60-90 minute session.
What if my whole day is packed with back-to-back meetings?
Days like this are a reality for many managers and executives. In this scenario, your frog has to adapt. It can no longer be a large, creative task. Instead, the frog becomes the most important preparation or follow-up activity related to those meetings. For example, your frog might be: “Spend 30 minutes preparing the three critical questions for the budget meeting” or “Spend 25 minutes immediately after the project sync to define and delegate all action items.” The principle remains the same: use your first available block of time to do the highest-leverage thinking work for the day.
I’m a night owl, not a morning person. Does this method still work?
Absolutely. The phrase “first thing in the morning” should be interpreted as “during your peak energy window.” While for many people this is the morning, for a natural night owl, it could be 2:00 PM or even 9:00 PM. The core concept is to give your most important task your best energy. Pay attention to your own biological rhythms, a topic often explored by resources like the Sleep Foundation. Schedule your frog-eating session for when you are naturally most alert and focused, whenever that may be. The discipline is in protecting that time, regardless of when it occurs.
How do I choose the right frog when everything feels important?
When you have multiple high-priority tasks, it can be paralyzing. Use this simple question to cut through the noise: “If I could only accomplish one thing on my list today, which one would bring me the most relief or move me closest to a major goal?” Another great filter is to consider the downstream effects. Which task, if completed, will make other tasks easier or irrelevant? That is often your true frog. And if you’re truly stuck between two equally ugly frogs? Follow Mark Twain’s advice: eat the ugliest one first. Tackle the one you are dreading more.
How strict do I need to be with the time block?
The time block is a tool, not a cage. Its primary purpose is to protect you from distractions and force you to start. Be strict about honoring the start time and eliminating distractions. However, be flexible with the end time. If you hit your 90-minute mark and are in a deep state of flow, and your schedule allows, it’s often wise to keep going. Conversely, if you’re struggling and making no progress after 45 minutes, it can be better to stop, take a break, and reassess. Maybe you chose the wrong frog, or you need more information. The goal is focused progress, not just sitting in a chair for a set amount of time.
