To eat the frog first means starting with the most difficult tasks and then moving to less hard tasks down until everything is completed for the day.
There's this pattern that I've noticed with delayed gratification, which is hard tasks tend to provide more long-term satisfaction and deeper rewards, whereas the less hard ones are quicker to finish but offer minimal fulfillment in comparison.
Of course, when we're about to reach the finish line with any challenging project or endeavor, our brain can start playing tricks on us, creating excuses or distractions to prevent completion.
It's easier to start that way, as in begin with the most difficult tasks first, slay it, gather a burst of confidence and momentum from it, then build and maintain that momentum for the rest of your workday.
Night Owl Confessions
I mostly consider myself a night owl.
Night time is usually the period when I naturally just have the most energy to take action, my mind explodes with ideas and creative insights when the sun sets and the darkness of the night begins.
For the most part, there's a noticeable shift in my state of consciousness and even though this isn't naturally the time to be active, I sometimes do try to make the best out of it through refining my present work(s) or starting the foundation for future works.
I think the real challenge is aligning this energy with conventional schedules.
This is actually one of the inconsistencies that my ordinary mind doesn't comprehend about human productivity patterns and natural rhythms.
When Day and Night Rhythms Rebel
Day time is for externalization, as in connecting with others, handling logistics, and engaging with the outside world. The sun's energy creates the perfect ground for outward expression and action.
And night time is for internalization, as in reflection, deep thinking, planning, and restorative activities. Darkness invites contemplation and inner work.
Somehow, the reverse is what usually comes about for some of us, as in we find ourselves most creative when we should be winding down, and sluggish when we're expected to be most productive.
Is it a feature or a bug of our biological programming?
I don't know, maybe just a variation in human chronotypes that society hasn't fully accommodated.
Swimming Against the Current
I sometimes wonder if fighting against these natural tendencies is worth the struggle, or if there's more wisdom in designing a life that honors these personal rhythms.
I'm already used to following natural rhythms as it is akin to flowing with the tide, so to speak, instead of against it.
There's evidently a sense of confusion for me when the natural rhythms aren't in sync with my own rhythm. Which should I put first? What really matters more?
I think we're more so living in an age where a split is happening between natural wisdom and personal chronobiology.
And possibly the stupidly simple truth could be that we make things harder by fighting against ourselves rather than working with our own natural tendencies.
How would it seem instead of eating the frog first thing in the morning when my energy is quite low, I decided to be eating it first thing in my personal "day" - which happens to start when others are winding down?
Interesting thought and proposition.
Anyways, productivity advice should always be taken with a grain of salt and adapted to your personal context/chronotype.
Thanks for reading!! Share your thoughts below on the comments.