Prioritise Like a Pro: How the Ivy Lee Method & Eat That Frog Will Transform Your Productivity

My Personal Big Fat Frog Experience

If you’ve ever felt like you’re drowning in tasks but somehow not making real progress, you’ll know exactly where I was.

I had a system. Or at least, I thought I did. My lead generation process was solid—except for one small problem: I wasn’t following through.

I’d start strong, generate interest, and then… nothing. I let the most important part—the actual follow-up—fall through the cracks.

Why? Because I was “too busy.” I had other priorities. I told myself I’d get to it tomorrow.

And guess what? Tomorrow never came.

Fast forward five weeks:

What should have taken 15 minutes a day turned into a five-hour catch-up session—followed by another two hours the next day responding to the flood of leads that came in just from that one follow-up session.

It was completely avoidable.

Never again!

That’s when I remembered the Ivy Lee Method—a simple but game-changing approach to productivity. No fancy apps, no complicated systems. Just one small habit that makes a massive impact.

Now, my Ivy Lee schedule is set up, and I’m ready to GO, GO, GO! 🚀

No more skipping the follow-through. No more letting small daily tasks become overwhelming.

Let’s dive into how this method works—and how you can use it to take back control of your time.

The Origins: The Ivy Lee Method’s Fascinating History

So, who was Ivy Lee, and why should we care about something he came up with over a century ago?

Well, let me take you back to 1918.

Who Was Ivy Lee?

Ivy Lee was a public relations pioneer who worked with some of the biggest names in business, helping companies streamline communication and boost efficiency. But his most enduring contribution wasn’t in PR—it was in productivity.

The Bethlehem Steel Experiment (1918)

At the time, Charles M. Schwab, one of the richest men in the world and the president of Bethlehem Steel Corporation, wanted to improve efficiency among his executives.

He brought in Ivy Lee and asked him a straightforward question:

"How can we get more done and improve productivity?"

Now, most consultants would have proposed complex strategies. But Lee had one simple technique. Instead of a lengthy report or seminar, he handed Schwab’s team a six-step process and told them to try it for 90 days.

The $400,000 Lesson

Schwab implemented Lee’s system, and the results were staggering.

Bethlehem Steel’s productivity skyrocketed, and Schwab—so impressed with the impact—asked Lee, “How much do I owe you?”

Lee replied, “Pay me what you think it’s worth.”

Schwab pulled out his cheque book and wrote Lee a cheque for $25,000—the equivalent of £400,000 today.

Why? Because he believed it was one of the most valuable productivity lessons ever taught.

And the best part? It still works today.

The Power of Combining Ivy Lee with Eat That Frog

Before diving into the step-by-step breakdown, let’s talk about another powerhouse productivity concept that pairs perfectly with the Ivy Lee Method:

Eat That Frog.

This method, inspired by a Mark Twain quote and popularised by Brian Tracy, suggests that you should tackle your biggest, most challenging task first thing in the morning.

Why? Because:

✅ It eliminates procrastination—if you’ve already done the hardest thing, everything else is easier.

✅ It sets the tone for the rest of the day—giving you momentum and confidence.

✅ It stops decision fatigue—you start the day with clear focus.

So how do these two methods work together?

💡 The Ivy Lee Method gives you structure and clarity, ensuring you list and rank your top six tasks the night before.

💡 Eat That Frog ensures that your biggest, most important task is tackled first thing the next morning.

Here’s how to integrate them:

1. Use the Ivy Lee Method to plan and prioritise your six most important tasks the night before.

2. Identify your "frog"—the task you’re most likely to avoid but will have the biggest impact—and place it at the top of your list.

3. The next day, start with your frog before moving on to the other Ivy Lee tasks.

By combining proactive planning with decisive action, you’ll stay focused, avoid distractions, and make real progress.

Now, let’s break down the step-by-step process of this combined method so you can start using it today.

The Core of the Ivy Lee + Eat That Frog Method: A Simple Yet Powerful Seven-Step Process

Now that we’ve covered the history and why these two methods work so well together, let’s get into the practical, step-by-step breakdown of how you can implement them.

These seven steps will help you prioritise effectively, eliminate procrastination, and stay focused on high-impact tasks

1	Write Down Tomorrow’s Six Most Important Tasks (Ivy Lee Method) Before you finish your workday, write down the six most important tasks for tomorrow. No more than six—this forces prioritisation and prevents overwhelm. This will be your final task of the day, every day
2	Identify Your “Frog” The Most Challenging & Important Task (Eat That Frog) Look at your six tasks and identify the one that will have the biggest impact—this is your “frog.” It’s usually the task you’re most likely to put off, but also the one that will move the needle the most. Place this at the top of your list.
3	Rank Your Six Tasks in Order of Importance (Ivy Lee Method) Your frog is task #1—after that, order the rest of your tasks based on impact and urgency. Focus on what matters most, not just what feels urgent.
4	The Next Day, Start with Your Frog (Eat That Frog) 🐸 No emails. No distractions. No busy work. Dive straight into your biggest, most important task first thing in the morning. Once your frog is done, everything else will feel easier.
5	Work Through the Rest of Your Tasks One at a Time (Ivy Lee Method) Move methodically through your ranked list, completing one task at a time before jumping to the next. No multitasking. No jumping around. Stay disciplined—deep focus beats scattered effort.
6	Any Unfinished Tasks Roll Over to Tomorrow (Ivy Lee Method) If you don’t finish a task, don’t stress—just move it to tomorrow’s list. This ensures that nothing gets forgotten while keeping you focused on progress, not perfection.
7	End the Day by Prioritising Tomorrow’s Tasks (Ivy Lee Method) Before finishing your day, repeat the process. Plan your next six tasks, identify your frog, and set yourself up for success. This eliminates decision fatigue in the morning—you’ll wake up knowing exactly what to do.

What About Routine Tasks Like Emails & Admin?

You might be wondering…"Where do my daily and weekly routine tasks fit in? Emails, meetings, social media engagement—these still need to get done!"

Great question! The answer? They shouldn’t be part of your six Ivy Lee tasks.

Instead, they should be scheduled separately into dedicated time slots, so they don’t interfere with your high-priority work.

A great way to keep track of these? A habit tracker.

Using a Habit Tracker to Stay Consistent

✅ List your daily, weekly, and monthly routine tasks in a column.

✅ Create 31 columns across the page (one for each day of the month).

✅ Check off each task daily as you complete it—this gives you an instant visual reminder of what’s done and what still needs attention.

By tracking these tasks separately, you free up mental space while ensuring that everything gets done without distracting from your major priorities.

🚀 Want a simple habit tracker to get started? Download my free PDF version here.

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My Personal Practical Application of These Combined Methods

Now that you know how the Ivy Lee + Eat That Frog system works, let me take you behind the scenes into how I actually use it in my daily workflow.

Because let’s be honest—learning about productivity methods is one thing; but making them stick is another. We’ve all tried a system for a few days, only to fall back into old habits.

I wanted this to be more than just a good idea—I needed it to be a game-changer.

So in this section, I’ll break down:

✅ How I structure my daily and weekly schedule using this system.

✅ What’s changed—what worked, what didn’t, and the real results.

✅ The biggest challenges I faced (and how I overcame them).

✅ How you can make this method work for you.

Let’s get into it! 🚀

How I Structured My Daily and Weekly Schedule Using This System

I have long-term goals for every important aspect of my life—not just my business. Sure, business goals are a priority, but if I want a balanced and fulfilling life, I also need to focus on:

✔️ Personal goals—self-improvement, hobbies, learning.

✔️ Health/energy goals—exercise, nutrition, sleep.

✔️ Financial goals—investments, savings, income targets.

✔️ Family & relationship goals—quality time, social connections.

I’ve learned that if I don’t intentionally schedule time for these, they get pushed aside. That’s why I use the Ivy Lee + Eat That Frog system across all areas of my life.

How I Set My Goals and Break Them Down

At the beginning of each year, I set my quarterly priorities across all these areas. But I don’t just set them and forget them—I constantly review, adjust, and refine.

Here’s how I stay on track:

• At the start of each quarter, I check my progress and make any necessary adjustments.

• At the end of every month, I break my quarterly goals into monthly milestones.

• Every Sunday, I set my priorities for the following week—this is where the Ivy Lee + Eat That Frog method comes into play.

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My Weekly Planning Process

Every Sunday, I sit down and plan my week ahead using this process:

Step 1: Review my monthly milestones

• I check where I am in relation to my bigger goals and identify what needs to happen in the next seven days.

  
  

Step 2: Set 3–5 major priorities for the week

• These are my biggest-impact tasks—the things that will drive real progress.

• Example: If my quarterly goal is to launch a new program, my weekly priority might be finalising the curriculum or recording key content.

• If my health goal is to improve my energy, my weekly priority might be meal planning and scheduling my workouts in advance.

Step 3: Block time for daily routines

• I allocate set time slots for emails, meetings, content creation, lead generation, and personal habits so they don’t interfere with my major priorities.

Once my week is planned, I shift my focus to daily execution.

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My Daily Workflow Using Ivy Lee + Eat That Frog

Step 1	End the day by planning tomorrow I write down my six most important tasks for the next day. I rank them in order of importance, placing my biggest, most challenging task (my frog) at the top. 📌 Example: If I’ve been procrastinating on finalising a proposal, that becomes my frog—I get it done first thing in the morning.
Step 2	Start the next day with my frog 🐸 No emails. No social media. No distractions. I tackle my most important task first, before the rest of the world can pull me into their priorities. 📌 Example: If my top priority is recording a training video, I do that first thing, before I get distracted by smaller tasks.
Step 3	Work through the rest of my Ivy Lee list One task at a time—no multitasking, no skipping around. 📌 Example: If my next priority is writing a blog post, I don’t switch between emails and calls while doing it—I stay focused until it’s done.
Step 4	Dedicated slots for daily routines Emails, meetings, content creation, and lead generation all have their place. Health and energy habits—like exercise, hydration, and proper nutrition—are also planned in advance, not left to chance. 📌 Example: Instead of checking emails all day, I have two dedicated time slots—one mid-morning and one before wrapping up my workday. I also schedule a 30-minute workout or outdoor walk every day to maintain my energy levels. Some habits can be stacked together—for example, I listen to podcasts or audiobooks while exercising.
Step 5	Wrap up the day and reset for tomorrow I review what I completed, move unfinished tasks forward, and prioritise my next day’s tasks.

The Impact: What Changed for Me

Since using this system:

🚀 I waste less time on unimportant work.

🚀 I no longer procrastinate on big tasks.

🚀 I feel in control of my schedule instead of reacting to it.

🚀 I make real progress toward my goals every single day.

🚀 I feel more energised because I’m prioritising my health alongside my work.

🚀 I’m more present in my personal relationships because I plan time for them, rather than fitting them in when I have “spare time.”

I’ve always been goal-driven, but without a structured approach, I used to get stuck in the day-to-day grind—working hard but not necessarily on the right things.

This method changed that. Now, every day, I’m working on what actually matters across all areas of my life.

Of course, I faced challenges along the way—because sticking to any new system takes effort. But I’ve learned some key lessons that have helped me stay consistent.

The Biggest Challenges I Faced—And How I Overcame Them

Like any new system, implementing the Ivy Lee + Eat That Frog method wasn’t completely smooth sailing. I had my moments of frustration, times when I fell off track, and days where I questioned whether it was working at all.

But here’s the thing—sticking with it and making adjustments along the way is what made the biggest difference.

Here are the biggest challenges I faced and how I worked through them:

Falling Back Into “Busy Work” Instead of Prioritising My Frog

At first, I struggled to start my day with my frog because, let’s be honest—tackling the hardest, most important task first isn’t always appealing. It’s much easier to answer emails, scroll through social media, or do something that feels productive but isn’t really moving the needle.

The mistake: I let “small, quick tasks” take over my mornings instead of tackling my biggest priority first.

How I fixed it:

✅ I set a non-negotiable rule: No emails, calls, or admin tasks until my frog is done.

✅ I blocked my calendar to ensure my first 90 minutes every day were dedicated to my most impactful task.

✅ I reminded myself daily: “Eat the frog first, and everything else will feel easier.”

Now, I start every day with confidence and momentum, instead of wasting time on “busy work.”

Overloading My Ivy Lee List (Trying to Do Too Much)

Initially, I tried to squeeze in too many tasks—thinking I could fit 8–10 priorities into my day. This led to unfinished lists, frustration, and burnout.

The mistake: I was overcommitting and constantly rolling unfinished tasks over.

How I fixed it:

✅ I stuck to six tasks max—no exceptions.

✅ I learned that not all tasks are equal. If something was urgent but not important, it didn’t belong on my list.

✅ I batched smaller admin tasks together (emails, calls, etc.) and scheduled them separately from my six priorities.

Now, my days feel structured and realistic, and I actually complete what I set out to do.

Letting Meetings and Interruptions Take Over My Schedule

As much as I tried to stick to my plan, meetings and unexpected interruptions would throw off my whole schedule.

The mistake: I was allowing my most productive hours to be disrupted by calls, meetings, and last-minute requests.

How I fixed it:

✅ I time-blocked my calendar—important tasks got dedicated, protected time slots.

✅ I scheduled all meetings after 12 PM so I had my mornings to focus on deep work.

✅ I trained myself to say “no” (or at least, “Can we schedule this at a better time?”) when interruptions threatened my most productive hours.

This shift changed everything—I now have uninterrupted focus in the morning and use my afternoons for calls, emails, and collaboration.

Struggling to Maintain Consistency

Like any habit, sticking with the Ivy Lee + Eat That Frog method required discipline. Some days, I’d forget to plan my tasks the night before. Other days, I’d start strong but then drift back into old habits.

The mistake: I wasn’t consistently planning my six priorities the night before.

How I fixed it:

✅ I set a daily reminder on my phone to plan my six tasks every evening.

✅ I used a habit tracker to keep myself accountable. Seeing my streak of completed Ivy Lee lists kept me motivated.

✅ I gave myself permission to adjust—some days, things wouldn’t go perfectly, but as long as I kept coming back to the system, I was winning.

Over time, this method became second nature—and now, it feels weird not to plan my tasks the night before!

Balancing Routine Tasks with Major Priorities

One of my biggest questions when starting this was: Where do my daily and weekly routine tasks fit in? Emails, meetings, lead generation, and admin work still needed to happen—but they couldn’t take over my priority list.

The mistake: I was mixing routine tasks with high-priority tasks, which made my list feel overwhelming.

How I fixed it:

✅ I scheduled dedicated time slots for routine tasks so they didn’t interfere with my six Ivy Lee priorities.

✅ I created a habit tracker for things like workouts, social media engagement, and financial check-ins, so they became part of my daily routine.

✅ I reminded myself that routine tasks shouldn’t replace the high-impact work that actually drives progress.

This was a game-changer—now, my routine tasks get done without taking over my entire schedule.

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The Biggest Lesson I Learned?

At first, I thought I needed to follow the Ivy Lee + Eat That Frog method perfectly every single day. But here’s what I realised:

✅ It’s not about perfection—it’s about consistency. Some days won’t go exactly as planned, and that’s okay. What matters is that I keep showing up and refining the system to fit my life.

✅ Planning my tasks the night before removes stress and indecision. Waking up and knowing exactly what I need to do helps me hit the ground running.

✅ Starting with my frog makes every other task easier. When I get the hardest thing done first, I feel a sense of accomplishment that carries through the rest of my day.

✅ Boundaries are key. Without protecting my time, my priorities get swallowed by distractions. Now, I’m intentional about creating space for deep work.

Final Thoughts: Why This Method Works for Me

Combining Ivy Lee’s structured planning with the Eat That Frog mindset has completely transformed the way I work. I now:

✔️ Get the right things done, rather than just staying busy.

✔️ Tackle my hardest tasks first, instead of procrastinating on them.

✔️ Feel in control of my schedule, rather than letting it control me.

✔️ Have a balance between big priorities and routine tasks.

✔️ Stay focused on long-term goals while making daily progress.

It’s not about working harder—it’s about working smarter, with intention and focus.

What’s Next? Your Turn to Take Action!

If you’ve ever struggled with productivity, procrastination, or feeling overwhelmed, I highly recommend giving this system a try.

💡 Here’s your challenge:

Try the Ivy Lee + Eat That Frog method for 90 days (that’s how long it takes to establish a habit!)

Plan your six tasks every night, and start each morning with your frog.

Track your progress, adjust where needed, and see how it impacts your workflow!

I’d love to hear your experience—drop a message in chat or shoot me an email! 🚀