Eat the Frog

I was reminded this week of one of my old sayings that I had not been using much recently- eat the frog.  I am not sure where I first heard it or why it made particular sense to me.  However, to me it is a phrase summing up the advice to do the thing that you have been putting off and probably doing a lot of other little easier things rather than it, for a long time.  I think we all do this, I know I have often had a huge project at the top of my to do list and will look at some easy wins first just to sort of get warmed up.  Eat the frog.  I guess I like the phrase too because there is nothing exciting or enticing about doing the big thing, its going to be a bit hard, a bit complicated and often perilous.  This expands well beyond to do lists at work .  We can put off personal frogs like hard conversations, resolution type wellness goals and reconnecting with friends that have grown distant.  While it’s a common experience to put off hard things I think it is an equally common feeling of accomplishment, relief, pride and resolve when we finally do the things.  I googled the phrase and it came up that it originated from Mark Twain- In his autobiography, Mark Twain says, “If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.” I feel like Mark Twain is urging all of us to do the hard thing, and if its part of a list of hard things, do the hardest first.  Eat the frog, and then go on after that to do thing far more enjoyable that are more like eating the chocolate.