Eat That Frog, by Brian Tracy

I've just finished Brian Tracy's 2007 book, Eat That Frog, 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time, and found it to be a quick and interesting read.  Brian is a writer, speaker, and consultant focused on both personal and corporate development.

The major themes of the book:

• Determine what's really important to you, where you want to be/go/become in the future.  Do so from both career and personal perspectives


• Determine which tasks (frogs) are most important in achieving these goals


• Tackle the biggest, ugliest frog first, and finish that task all the way through.  To achieve this, carve the big task into smaller, bite-sized tasks (insert eating an elephant reference here :) ).  With that one complete, tackle the next hardest and finish it as well


• While doing these things, be sure to get plenty of sleep, time away from technology, and exercise at least 250 minutes per week

I like the clear, directive writing style of Tracy.  Be prepared with pen and paper when you pick it up, as you'll be making a few lists along the way.  As with any book of this kind, know that you'll have to take action on what you read to make a difference in your life.For fun, here are the 21 Great Ways.  If you want to know more...read the book.-Bryan

1. Set the table


2. Plan every day in advance


3. Apply the 80/20 rule to everything


4. Consider the consequences


5. Practice creative procrastination


6. Use the ABCDE method continually


7. Focus on key result areas


8. Apply the Law of Three


9. Prepare thoroughly before you begin


10. Take it one oil barrel at a time


11. Upgrade your key skills


12. Leverage your special talents


13. Identify your key constraints


14. Put the pressure on yourself


15. Maximize your personal powers


16. Motivate yourself into action


17. Get out of the technological time sinks


18. Slice and dice the task


19. Create large chunks of time


20. Develop a sense of urgency


21. Single handle every task