Why tackling your toughest task first recharges all morning

Imagine waking up with the knowledge that your worst task is already done before most people have had their coffee. You grab your mug, fire up your laptop, and instead of scanning your inbox, you dive into that big, ugly project that’s been looming for weeks. The phone stays silent, and the hours vanish in focused effort.

By breakfast, you’ve conquered your ‘frog,’ and everything else feels like bonus points. That sense of relief spills into every next activity—emails, chores, even casual chats. Your confidence accelerates, your stress plummets, and you glide through tasks you used to dread.

Behavioral science calls this “eat-the-frog” prioritization. Neurotransmitters like dopamine spike when you finish high-value tasks early, creating a feedback loop that propels you forward. You literally condition your brain to seek breakthroughs first. Over time, mornings become your launchpad instead of a to-do panic room.

What starts as a simple scheduling choice becomes a powerful habit—one that rewires your internal reward system and reshapes your productivity game.

Wake up and choose the one task you’ve been avoiding—the one with the biggest payoff. Carve out a solid hour before checking anything else—emails, messages, or news. Once you finish, treat yourself—a brisk walk, a fresh cup of coffee, or five minutes of stretching. That early victory sets a performance high that carries you through the rest of your day. Try it tomorrow morning.