14

April

Eat a frog first thing in the morning

“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.”- purportedly said by Mark Twain

Before starting Chapter 5 (“Habit Stacking”) of Win the Day, Mark Batterson introduces his third habit to help you win the day: eat the frog.  And why would Mark Twain gives such advice?  Because that enables you to complete the rest of your day knowing that your hardest task is behind you!  Therefore, Pastor Batterson exhorts:

“What goals have you had forever but not taken the first step toward?  What difficult decision have you been delaying?  That, my friend, is your frog.  Give yourself a deadline; then get started. . . .  The bottom line?  You can’t just pray like it depends on God.  You also have to work like it depends on you.  If you want God to do the super, you’ve got to do the natural.  And you’ve got to start first thing in the morning (emphasis Mark’s).”

In addition, Mark observes, there’s something to be said for starting the day with a challenge.  However, think of consistency as the king.  For, Mark stresses, consistency bests intensity seven days a week!

Moving on to Chapter 5, Mark cites Admiral William H. McRaven’s advice given in a commencement address at the University of Texas at Austin.  The admiral told the graduates that changing the world began with a simple task – making their bed.  In other words, daily habits yield compound results.

Hence, the genius of eat-the-frog rituals consists of this – they eliminate excuses.  Above all, though, these rituals cancel the option of opting out.  As a result, you need to make your decision beforehand – a predecision.  Also, you must put that predecision into deliberate practice with a well-designed ritual.

In conclusion, Mark notes, daily rituals not only maximize our God-given potential.  Through streamlining our lives, they save us time and energy.

Today’s question: What do you think about Mark Twain’s advice to eat a frog first thing in the morning?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: “Holy moments within hurried minutes”

About the author 

Dave Henning

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