Do you ever get in a cycle of not wanting to do anything? I have been there often lately.
I heard Patsy Clairmont speak last month at Women of Faith. She is truly amazing. I could so relate to her on many levels.
She shared a story of when she was bedridden from an overwhelming case of agoraphobia. If you could see her speak to a crowd, you would be shocked she was ever in that space of fear and isolation. She told us about how she prayed for God to save her from her misery.
After many seemingly unanswered prayers, she finally heard God speak to her. He said, “Make your bed.” Her first thought: “I don’t want to do that.” But she did. She got up and made her bed that day and continued to do it again and again.
Slowly, God pulled her back to life and out into the world. He rewarded her for that simple act of obedience first thing every morning. She went from asking God to rescue her to showing Him she would do whatever it took even when she really didn’t want to.
Patsy showed up first thing every morning no matter how she felt. This reminds me of a wonderfully instructive quote from long ago that still rings true today:
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. ~Mark Twain
Brian Tracy expands this concept in his article, The Truth About Frogs, defining a “frog” as “your biggest, most important task, the one you are most likely to procrastinate on if you don’t do something about it.”
Do your biggest thing first. I’m seeing this everywhere lately. I think God is trying to tell me something. Eat my biggest frog first every day even if I really just don’t want to…
Patsy’s frog was the simple act of making her bed. This task eventually transformed her life.
My big frogs are reading my Bible and exercise. I found this adorable coffee cup from Cross Training Couture on Instagram and now I’m reminded every morning with my coffee what is first on my list:
The First 5 app from Proverbs 31 Ministries makes sure I’m with Jesus first thing every morning. It helps me tremendously by setting off an alarm on my phone sending me immediately to a devotional with a swipe of my finger across the screen.
Checking off the exercise box is a work in progress. I really don’t like any form of exercise. As much as I loathe the thought, it’s imperative to my health these days. My energy has plummeted and my moods are all out crazy.
I know a simple morning walk would do wonders on so many levels. As unappealing as that act is, I’m going to eat that giant frog. And I’m well aware this must be done first thing in the morning or it just won’t happen.
I hope to share with you soon how my daily exercise habit has changed my body and mind. Until then, I’ll keep moving forward, one morning walk at a time.
What are your big frogs? Do you try to finish your biggest daily task first? I would love to hear from you in the comments!
There are days when you just don want to get through. You just want to dissolve into nothingness. A bit exaggerated but really, I know what you mean.
I get a lot of that these days. Too much pressure everywhere.
Eating the frog in the morning does the trick. Everything else seems to just follow after that.
Everything really does just start to move forward after that first big frog, Lux. I completely agree. It seems to be a beautiful snowball effect of momentum. I also understand the “dissolve into nothingness” thought. I get there too often as well. Praying for some of your pressure to be released!
We live in a world where people are controlled by their emotions. And though there is real clinical depression that needs help, many times we just need to do like Patsy did… just one thing at a time. Thanks for this great encouragement.
“One thing at a time” is something I’m really just learning about, Karen. I’ve always tried to multitask while doing anything. It’s never as helpful as just focusing on one thing :).
I love that quote from Mark Twain! I have used it all of my life and have taught my children to practice the same habit! Get the worst over first and then it’s done and you can move on!
Your blog looks really nice, good job my friend!
Thanks, Jen! It feels a lot cleaner around here :). The quote is fairly new to me, but I love it too. I’m not a morning person so the thought of anything big first terrifies me. I believe it’s definitely the way to go though, and maybe I will even change my attitude on mornings.
I’m am experiencing the same things now. It’s like this article was written especially for me. And it feels like a God thing —- that He is speaking to me through you. Thank you for being so open and honest in your post.
Hi Susie! This is truly a work in progress for me. It goes against how I’ve been living on so many levels. I really think it’s going to help a great deal though. I can busy myself all day with little tasks and never get anything big done towards my goals. I’m glad this helped you, my friend!
I’ve got a post on morning routines ready to roll. Your words just let me know that I’m on the right track as I figure out what’s non-negotiable at the beginning of my day.
Especially during this season of huge upheaval and endless grief and startling change.
Thanks, Candace …
I need to read your post on morning routines, Linda! I’m really working on making a habit of evening and morning routines. I just want everything to be automatic. It’s when I have to think too much that I get into trouble :).
I’m sorry you are having such a difficult season, my friend. Much love and many blessings to you!
I have had my struggles in the past too and one of the things that I had to do each morning was to get dressed and not stay in my robe all day. We work from home and it was a temptation to just “be comfortable” but I’ve found that I’m in a much better state of mind if I get up and am dressed. Thanks for sharing this insightful post.
Getting dressed is huge for me, Rebecca. There is such a difference in what I accomplish during the day if I’m truly dressed versus my husband’s sweatpants and a t-shirt :). Thanks so much for that reminder! I need to start that habit again. I love what the FlyLady recommends about getting dressed with shoes every day. It really feels different.
I’m with you Candace, and I’ve started walking again. It’s awful hard but my new favorite song is: Good Fight by Unspoken. And I need to do it first thing or it won’t get done either. Lets encourage each other shall we?
I need to check out that song, Loresa. I’m always looking for inspiring music. Thanks for the recommendation. Let’s definitely encourage each other! Exercise is a huge struggle for me, but I’m at a place now that it’s absolutely necessary.
I love this. SO much. And I find the longer I DON’T do things… the more overwhelming they become- and the more depressed I get and the more discouraged and paralyzed. Sigh….
I honestly like the idea of one little thing- not the BIG frog, although I get the idea. But much like Patsy- making her bed. If I can get myself to do one little thing toward those other bigger things that weigh on my heart, my spirit, or just my day- then I seem to become more motivated to do more.
I have started exercising on this sore ankle and it really does feel wonderful! Now, I need to take those baby steps toward some major decisions and prayerfully and actively pursue them. 🙂
Amen to this, Chris: “the longer I DON’T do things… the more overwhelming they become- and the more depressed I get and the more discouraged and paralyzed.” I’m there in so many areas right now, my friend! This is my first post in about 3 weeks, I think. The longer I’m away from this space, the harder it is to get back here for all the reasons you mentioned and more. Sometimes, I have to just choose a little thing to get moving, but I’m going to try to add a big thing in the morning to shoot for some of my larger life goals. Right now though, I must admit I’m still in the “make my bed” phase :).
Wow, Candace! I love Patsy’s story and Mark Twain’s frog quote. Thank you for being so honest and encouraging me to keep going forward one thing at a time.
She is amazing, Trudy! That was my first introduction to her. I just bought one of her books, but haven’t read it yet. Her story is so incredibly inspiring. Keep moving forward, my friend! We can do this :).
I love this and I really needed to hear this today! Such a great challenge to me as I am trying to eat better and exercise regularly for my health. It feels like such a big frog! And I hadn’t hear of the First 5 app, so glad you shared that! Thanks!
The First 5 app is wonderful, Kacie. I love things that put my to-do list on autopilot :). I find proper health choices to be a huge frog, but it’s something that’s so important and necessary for us. I really love the idea of exercising first in the morning and being done with it. That’s definitely my biggest frog right now as well.
Love the expression to eat your big frog first. There are things I am getting under better control and others that still need a lot of work. I am not sure what my biggest frog is but I will be thinking about this for awhile as I figure it out. Great words and ones that I needed to hear. Love that you shared this at Weekend Whispers.
You will certainly be missed at Weekend Whispers, Mary. I’m looking forward to seeing where you are called next, my friend. My biggest frog is still exercise. I’m continuing to put it off. I so wish we lived closer and could walk together. I probably need to find an accountability partner :).
Well, this gives me a little kick in the pants!! In the best way. Thanks for sharing this wisdom, Candace!
You are so welcome, Bethany. It is certainly still a work in progress for me, but I’m not giving up. I truly love the feeling of accomplishment when I get even one big thing done in the morning.
Great post, Candace! I think we’ve all had those moments where we just don’t want to do anything. Over the years, I have come to learn that getting up early to pray sets the tone for my day. In doing that and spending that intimate time with THE FATHER before I do anything else gives me everything I need to accomplish whatever the day may hold. I’ve worn a little rubber wristband for the last 5 years that I never take off and it simply says, “Pray First”. And that has been my reminder to do so everyday. It’s a simple reminder, but has a huge impact. Anyways, grateful to visit with you this morning! Peace and many blessings to you, Love! 🙂
I love the idea of that rubber wristband, Tai! I’m pretty good about spending my mornings with Him, but then I forget to go to Him throughout the day. The first 5 app has helped some with that by a reminder at 3pm to stop and read another devotional and pray. I think a wristband is an even better idea though. Thanks so much for sharing that. Many blessings and much peace to you as well!
I started early morning walks a few years ago. I use this as my time to meet with God. Days I don’t feel like exercising, I use prayer to spur me on. Days I feel like exercising, I get the benefit of spending time with God. My husband says I come back a different person! Hope you get hooked on the habit soon. Look forward to hearing all about it.
My husband says the same about me after a walk, Rachel! It’s amazing what that simple act does for my emotional well-being. I have some mental health issues, so exercise truly helps me on so many levels. Thanks so much for the encouragement. I love the idea of using walks as time with God. What wonderful motivation!
Hello Candace,
This is Awesome, Just awesome!
This post is a blessing. Eat the biggest frog first! Huge task but I will be better for it.
I had to write my priority list and affix it on my wardrobe as a constant reminder.
Thanks for this Candace.
Enjoy the rest of you week
Blessings to you
I love that idea, Ifeoma. I think posting your priority list where you see it every day must be incredibly motivating. Thanks so much for sharing that. I hope you have a wonderful weekend! Blessings to you as well.
So sorry it’s been a while since I’ve been by. Life has been full but good. Good wisdom here and it’s wisdom I need to apply every week to phone calls I need to make. And it’s not that I don’t want to make them but it’s outside of my comfort zone but once I make that first call the others feel less scary. Blessings to you, Candace.
I’m with you about phone calls, Beth. I seem to put them off as well. I’m so glad to hear life has been happy and full for you lately. I’ve had blogging on the back burner these days too. It’s always great to see you :). Many blessings to you!
Candace, this is a really encouraging post! I love that Patsy Clairmont story. Get up and make your bed. Powerful stuff! I have my quiet time and exercise down MOST days! 🙂 But my next big frog for each day is spending time writing. This is tricky because I home school and it’s easier to spend time on social media during small breaks I have during school. So my big frog gets postponed to late in the afternoon. I need to brainstorm how to eat my big frog in smaller time intervals throughout my morning! Thanks for this. Pinning it!
Patsy is an amazing speaker, Betsy. I was shocked and incredibly inspired by her. Good for you on the exercise. It’s my biggest procrastinated struggle right now. Home schooling definitely would make time management and writing tricky. I’m so impressed with those of you who choose that road. What a beautiful gift you are giving your children. Maybe you have to eat your big writing frog at the end of the day. I think whatever works for you in this season of life. Thanks for the pin :)!
Candace, I love this post! Love Patsy Clairmont and that great quote by Mark Twain! You’ve inspired me to get back on my treadmill as part of my morning routine. I also like the quote by Elisabeth Elliot, “Do the next thing…” Many blessings to you ❤️
Thank you, Beth! I love the quote you shared as well. I get so overwhelmed by my endless list at times. We can only accomplish one thing at a time! Morning exercise continues to be a work in progress for me. I signed up for a 5K with my mom and son in a couple of weeks so I, in the very least, need to start preparing for that :).
The devil all too often tries to convince me I sure could use that extra sleep rather than spending time with God. I have news for him I know how my day turns out when I make that choice. I’m with you Candace on the exercise thing. I sure wish we lived closer so we could walk together. By the way I absolutely love your bookshelf! You need to teach me how to do that!
Oh how I would love to walk with you every day, Tonya! That is an absolute dream :). I’m so excited how the bookshelf turned out. Painting furniture always stresses me out in the process, but I usually love the finished result. Thanks so much for visiting me, my friend!
Candace, I’m with you sister! My biggest frog is also exercise. As music teacher (my “real job” and a blogger, almost everything I do is sedentary! After reading your post, I realize that I’m an “all or nothing” kind of gal.
And although I’ve never heard the old adage about the frogs, it’s a great one! I recently won a one year membership to the gym (yay!), and yet I *still* find myself procrastinating. Guess I’m going to have to take baby steps by getting up early to work out ~ even if only for a short time. Like Patty’s story, I know I’ll be rewarded for obedience afterwards.
{Thanks for the tip about the First5App ~ that sounds totally doable.}
Even though we weren’t neighbors over at #CoffeeForYourHeart…you’re at the tippy top and I’m at the bottom…I was drawn in by the picture with your title. So glad I visited! You have a lovely and inviting site 🙂
How exciting about the free gym membership, Caryn! That’s a great prize :). The frog quote is fairly new to me as well. I love it! There’s so much truth there. Definitely check out the First5 app if you get a chance. It’s been incredibly helpful for me. I’m so glad you stopped by!
It’s amazing the things that we can learn and get past, if we just listen to what God is telling us!!
What an amazingly true statement, Jamie! I definitely need to sit quietly and listen to God more often. Those moments are never wasted and can be absolutely life changing.
I just love that quote! So true.
That quote has really helped me, Sarah! I’m not a morning person, so I tend to put things off. It really takes just getting it done first thing to build momentum throughout the day.
Shared a link to this on my site today! I love it! I’m terrible at procrastinating with things I don’t want to do. I will remember to eat the big frog first. 😉 So good!
Thanks so much for sharing this, Deb! Procrastination is definitely one of my biggest issues. I’m working hard on changing that these days :).
Taking a walk everyday will be great exercise 🙂 It seems like I have so many frogs. Lately, it seems like it’s been hard for me to find time to blog. I’m going to try writing three posts this weekend to see if I can get back on track.
I also, need to read my bible first thing in the morning. So days I do, but a lot of times I don’t. So I need to get into the habit and stick with morning bible time.
It sounds like we have a lot of the same frogs, Sonya :). I keep getting behind on blogging too. It’s definitely been more on the back burner lately than I would like it to be. I hope you met your goal this weekend!
I love that Mark Twain quote. It’s such a good reminder to do something – just one something at a time. I’m glad I finally made my way over here. And I’m glad you linked up at #ThreeWordWednesday.
I’ve always prided myself as a multi-tasker, Kristin. I’m quickly learning how wrong that way of life really is. Thanks for stopping in. I can’t imagine how busy you are these days :)!
Such good advice! I’ve taken to making a list and starring 3 things. Those first 3 things usually get me motivated to keep going but if they don’t I just go with it and realize that my body or mind or both must just need a break and pat myself on the back for accomplishing the most important ones.
That’s great advice, Anne! I’ve found my acceptance of the need for breaks invaluable these days. I’m unplugging for a week which I tend to do every once in a while. I checked out of social media yesterday and am tying things up here tonight. I love your thought on patting myself on the back for all I’ve accomplished recently and taking the break this week guilt free :).