Tip: Brainstorming

Book Inspiration: The Alphabet Versus the Goddess

Mapping a Journey

Eat the Frog

If or when you find yourself facing tasks you’d rather avoid, remember that even the most talented people have had to Eat the Frog.

Sometimes I feel like my To Do list is more like a To Dread list. I remind myself to tackle the toughest challenge first, to Eat the Frog. Turns out the famous writer Mark Twain generated this sage and witty advice. A few different versions of the quote exist, each providing a humorous twist of insight. The actual quote is likely:

“Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.”

 Another version, even more funny:

“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.”

A-hole-O-Meter: A Tool for Maintaining a Semblance of Sanity

If or when you find yourself in a stressful encounter exacerbated by the unwelcome behavior of another person, consider using a mental A-hole-O-Meter.

Intercept a stress reaction and secretly rank the person misbehaving, a form of invisible retaliation to maintain your mental stamina and a semblance of sanity. 

Low scores for semi A-Holey behavior, such as someone giving you an unfriendly glare for an innocent mistake?

Mid-level A-Hole status for those resorting to a descriptive hand signal, shaming you in front of others. 

High scores for someone who goes the extra A-Hole mile, verbally abusing you or someone else. 

For more on this topic, refer to Robert I. Sutton’s The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn’t, 2007.