Eat the Frog, Fully Rely on God
A Morning Basket Practice for Peaceful Productivity
What is it about human nature that causes us to procrastinate on the very things we know are necessary? Do delayed decisions create piles and bottlenecks in your life—adding more stress than is needed?
Maybe you’ve felt it… You wake up in the morning, coffee in hand, and still can’t quite get started. Or you stay busy all day, checking off task after task—only to realize the one thing that truly mattered… still isn’t done.
The “Frog” We Avoid
A quote commonly attributed to 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.”
It’s a simple picture—but it holds a lot of truth. The “frog” represents the task we avoid most… yet it’s often the very thing that would move our life forward.
In Eat That Frog!, Brian Tracy takes this idea and turns it into a practical system:
- Your “frog” is your most important task
- It’s also the one you’re most likely to procrastinate on
- And it carries the greatest impact on your goals
His advice is simple:
- Do it first thing in the morning
- Don’t overthink it
- Start with the biggest, hardest one
Because success isn’t always about talent—it’s often about the discipline to do what matters most.
How I Use This in My Morning Basket
I’ve woven this concept into my Morning Basket system as a gentle, intentional practice—not rushed, but purposeful. Here’s what it looks like:
1. Brain Dump Your Frogs
Write down everything that’s been weighing on you: the tasks you’ve been avoiding, the decisions you’ve delayed.
2. Choose with Clarity
From that list, prayerfully choose the one task that matters most today. Clarity and priority are everything here.
3. Start with the Hardest
If there are multiple “frogs,” begin with the biggest one. Not in a spirit of pressure, but with intention.
4. Create Space for Peace
Getting that task done early removes the mental weight you carry all day. You’re not rushing, you’re freeing yourself.
5. Let Momentum Follow
Once the hardest thing is done, the rest of your day begins to flow more easily.
Where Faith Changes Everything
While thinking about this idea of discipline and action, I was reminded of a simple phrase often used in Christian circles:
F.R.O.G. — Fully Rely On God
And suddenly, everything softened. Because yes, we are called to take action. But we were never meant to carry it alone.
Eat the Frog, Fully Rely on God
“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” — Proverbs 16:3
There are always things we’d rather not do:
- The hard conversation
- The task we’ve been putting off
- The responsibility that feels just a little too heavy
Yes, do it first. But don’t do it with a hurried heart or clenched hands. You can walk into it slowly… prayerfully… held.
Before you begin:
- Pause
- Whisper a prayer
- Invite God into the moment
- Release the outcome
Because the truth is, you were never meant to carry the weight of it alone.
A Gentle Practice for Today
(A Simple Rhythm for Your Morning Basket)
Before you begin your hardest task, pray:
Lord, I give this to You.
Strengthen my hands, steady my mind,
and help me walk through this with peace.
Then begin, not in striving, but in trust.
Do the hard thing… but carry it differently.
To help you with this idea, I’ve created a downloadable you can grab. I would love for you to click on over and join my Facebook Group, The Vintage Porch at Southern Ivy, and then download the PDF!
