Here’s why you shouldn’t ‘eat the frog’ at work

Getting through a long day of work is a task hated by many, but it is also necessary. People make use of countless tips and tricks to make the daily grind feel like a breeze. Nevertheless, there is one technique that is more popular than the others.

The term “eat the frog,” popularized by famous author Mark Twain, has been the mantra of many workers. It basically means to accomplish the item on one’s to-do list that feels the most dragging. By getting that arduous task out of the way, employees will feel more motivated to do the rest of their work. Despite its popularity, modern psychology has proven that this isn’t the right way to do things. In fact, it could make the day feel even longer, per Fast Company.

When people choose to eat the frog, they end up delaying the task for hours before having to have it rushed later on. Studies have revealed that the mood of the employee will affect his output. As such, if a worker is going through his toughest task first thing in the morning, he would go about the work with less enthusiasm. For workers to easily manage through their day, their best bet would be to do tasks in the morning that wouldn’t negatively affect their mood.

In addition to this, other studies reveal that fast thinking will help a person’s mood change for the better, and it can also enhance one’s behavior and self-perception. The main idea is that people will feel better if they accomplish goals quickly, and struggling with tasks would not do them any good. Most of the tasks people pick as their “frog” to eat are hard, so dealing with them early on is a bad idea.

Overall, the key to maximizing productivity is nourishing a healthy and happy workplace while maximizing potential. (Source)

On the other hand, if an employee chooses to do other small tasks first, he will be motivated throughout the day. He will be able to build up the momentum leading up to the big task at the end. As an added motivational factor, employees will feel more eager to get the job done once they realize that they get to rest and go home afterward.

The bottom line is, workers should try to avoid anything that would drag their mood down. This means having to avoid toxic environments, minor altercations on the way to work and other issues. They should also try to start the day right with a balanced meal that could help in uplifting their moods.

Work is a tough but essential process in the daily lives of adults. Looking for shortcuts to make the day easy is common, but people should try to search for the right tips and tricks for them. Some can do more harm than good. At the end of the day, what’s important is starting and ending the day in a good mood.