Rating: 
Summary: Good book for the procrastinator
Review: "Eat That Frog" by Brian Tracy is an excellent book about creating habits to stop procrastination. This easy to read book gives 21 pieces of advice to stop putting off the things that really need to be done and just do them.
I found a lot of these examples repeated from his book, "Million Dollar Habits" but repeatition is sometimes needed to learn some techniques. Additionally the layout in this book is much better so I highly recommend this book also.
The mostly focuses on the importance of setting goals, planning and attacking the big tasks from a piece by piece mindset. While I found this advice relevent and helpful, I would have liked some examples, especially in the planning part of the book. However there are plenty of other books out there on that topic and examples were probably left out to keep the size of the book small and easy to reread.
In all, definitely a great book and worth reading. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent
Review: Eat that Frog is an excellent motivational book. The complaints I see by most here are along the lines that there's nothing new in this book. To me, there's nothing new in MOST self help books. After all, we each know that the way to stop procrastinating is to just do what we dread, the way to lose weight is to burn off more calories than we consume, the way to keep house is to clean and organize on a regular basis, and so on. What we seek is some motivation and some reasoning for doing what we dislike doing. Brian Tracy gives this motivation and reasoning. This is a short, fast read. As the author says, it doesn't go into all the psychology of procrastination; rather, it gets right to the action. Brian Tracy covers such things as determining priorities, delegating and eliminating some tasks, knowing what's okay to procrastinate about, and whether to tackle your "frog" (your big task that will lend the greatest results) first or a lesser priority task. The result is a clear, concise book that is helpful and shows that by regularly eating your frogs first, you develop a habit that makes it easier to accomplish more than the average person and do it with increasingly less effort. An excellent, worthwhile book that you will likely refer to time and time again.
Rating:
Summary: I love this book!
Review: I have been a chronic procrastinator my entire life. After being hindered by this problem in college, I have made it a primary focus to overcome it as I enter the world of self-employment. I saw three excellent things about this book: 1) A great system to help you overcome procrastination When my girlfriend saw me reading this book, she said, "It's pointless to read a book about how not to procrastinate -- either you do it or you don't! What, is he going to give you strategies?" Actually, that's exactly what Tracy does. I've done pretty much all of the things he suggested at one time or another -- make a list, write out your goals, plan out your day, etc. -- but he explains how to combine all these things together. 2) Clear, concise writing I am so fed up with authors who blather on and on. This book gets it done in 113 pages of large type -- short and sweet. I especially like the way Tracy gets big ideas into short sentences -- I recall them in my head when I'm tempted to slip back to my old ways. 3) Positive attitude Let me tell you, a life of procrastination can make a person feel pretty down -- about missed opportunities, failed obligations, etc. But Eat That Frog is positive without ever being condescending. Reading it actually got me excited about changing the way I do things. Now, as any procrastinator knows, you can't just change in a day. I'm still not a model frog-eater myself. But I've seen definite improvement in my work habits since reading this book. My girlfriend has even relented and picked it up!
Rating:
Summary: The Greatest Student of Success is Brian Tracy!
Review: I've been listening to Brian Tracy audio cassette programs since the mid-1980's and have always been impressed with his committment to research and the high-quality of advice. He has always been a prolific producer of self-improvement materials without the hype of a Tony Robbins. In "Eat the Frog" Brian chunks down and simplifies the time management process into 21 easy and clear steps with action steps at the end. This book may be the best book for many people who want to accomplish goals and manage their life. I think every company should buy copies of this book and give them to their representatives especially if they need something to read for air travel. You can get the gist of it in a day, but use it for a lifetime. I know that Brian could have written a 300 page book if he wanted to, but this one is handy, simple, and profound. For me personally, I'd like to see a second edition of the book with some diagrams, cartoons, and pictures. That would make this book a little more interesting and fun.
Rating:
Summary: Focus on the things that Matter the Most
Review: It is a great book instead of a less than palatable title, but it totally agrees with the basic premise of the book, which is that Eating a frog is a metaphor that means doing the most important thing that matters most first thing in the morning. This is the task you are most likely to put off, it being most likely UNPLEASANT, but also probably the one that will have the greatest possible impact on your life.
The book makes the premise ( which I wholeheartedly agree) that there is never time to do everything on your to do list, and there will never be. Thus, instead of reading so many books on how to organize your life, and try to do the yeoman's job of chasing the completion of all tasks, you have to accept the fact that if you cannot get everything done, you might as well focus on the most important task first.
This goes back to the 80:20 rule, which is that the most important top 20 percent of all your task will most likely determine 80 percent of your success, and instead of ticking it off one by one ( most people do their task list in list order, or worst, do the easiest always first), there is a good basis to believe you can be more success just focusing on these top 20 percent.
Brian Tracy focuses on three vital rules of effective personal time management: decision, discipline and determination. The book presents 21 ways to do this. It is a short, practical book of only 144 pages, but nevertheless presents much more substance than many books thicker in size.
Wilson Ng
visit my weblog at www.bizdrivenlife.net
Rating:
Summary: Packed with a lot of Tracy-isms
Review: Please don't judge this book by it's size. Keep in mind that some of the all time best books were small; As A Man Thinketh, The Richest Man in Bablyon, Acres of Diamonds and more. If you are looking or were expecting one of Brian Tracy's huge 300 page books, you'll be dissappointed. But if you are looking for some nuggets of powerful information, you'll be very satisfied. Brian is excellent.
Rating:
Summary: I loved this book! It's changing my entire way of life!
Review: Thanks, Mr. Tracy, for this inspriational book. It's a quick read full of no-nonsense tips. Although its advice isn't really new to me (prioritize; set goals; make A-B-C-D-E lists; etc.), somehow Tracy's presentation and style got through to inspiring me. I am getting so much more done--things that are important to my meeting my goals. Finally! I've told a lot of people about this book, and have passed it on to friends and colleagues. We all talk about our "ugly frogs" now, and I actually look forward every day to "eating" the ugliest, biggest frog, instead of piddling my time away on unimportant tasks. This book was just what I needed, and a good investment. I highly recommend it, and can't imagine needing to read another book on procrastination. I wish I had read it years ago. A great idea: why not give this as a gift to your favorite high-school or college student? "Eat That Frog" cured me! It's not too late for you, either!
Rating:
Summary: Just simply a great book
Review: This book is so simple and powerful. Take the effort to buy this one and it will change the way you do things forever.
I used to spend all my time trying to be all things to all people and never accomplish anything quickly. Now I focus my time on what matters most and accomplish so much more.
Rating:
Summary: 21 rules to overcome procrastination
Review: This book isn't a new take on time management or efficiency. Instead, Brian Tracy, a man who's own success speaks pretty loudly, takes some of the best wisdom out there on the topic and puts it in a compelling form. This is important beacuse time management is about more than having the right information - it's about putting that information into action. Tracy puts the same message of prioitization and focus in front of you in a form that challenges you to take action. Highly reccomended, but you have to be willing to use this book, not just read it!
Rating:
Summary: I like this book a lot. It helps, and it's interesting
Review: To give you a better idea of the content of this book, below please find what the twenty one great ways are (available in both contents and conclusion pages):-
1. Set the table (goal setting)
2. Plan everyday in advance
3. Apply the 80/20 rule to everything
4. Consider the sequences
5. Practice the ABCDE Method continually (rating and prioritizing)
6. Focus on key result areas
7. Obey the Law of Forced Efficiency (do the most important first)
8. Prepare thoroughly before you begin
9. Do your homework
10. Leverage your special talents
11. Identify you key contraints
12. Take it one oil barrel at a time
13. Put the pressure on yourself
14. Maximize your personal powers
15. Motivate yourself into action
16. Practice creative procrastination
17. Do the most difficult task first
18. Slive and dice the task
19. Create large chunks of time
20. Develop a sense of urgency
21. Single handle every task
As you may see, some ways or chapters do overlap. However, the book is not that repetitive and it's a fun read with the author's excellent writing skill. In case you just want a short and interesting book (the title is great) that focuses on procrastination with less coverage of time and life management, this is it. Nevertheless, a drawback may be that many ideas here had been presented in the author's previous books. (I had read three Tracy books before this) Anyway, wish you all tasty frog (things that you keep procrastinating) meals! Enjoy!
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