Kaizen, Frogs and Finding Your Flow

The Research

There’s a well-known productivity mantra: “Eat the frog first.” It’s based on the idea that tackling your most difficult task early sets the tone for a productive day. A 2023 study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology supports this. It found that workers who tackled harder tasks earlier in the day experienced less fatigue, more mental relaxation, and better performance by day’s end. They also felt they’d made more progress.

But here’s the nuance: the benefit was strongest for early pacers; people who naturally prefer to start the day with higher effort and front-load their workload. For steady or late pacers, who build momentum more gradually, the gains weren’t as pronounced (Morgeson, E. et al., 2023).

This is where the Japanese concept of Kaizen (continuous improvement through small, manageable steps) can be a valuable alternative. Popularised in manufacturing but embraced widely in behavioural science, Kaizen is about building progress through tiny, consistent actions. Think BJ Fogg’s “tiny habits” or James Clear’s “Atomic Habits”, just one small action to get going, especially when motivation is low.

So if you have 100 logs to move and you feel overwhelmed by it, make a commitment to move three. you might end up moving a few more, you might end up moving them all, or maybe you just move the 3 you committed to. All three outcomes are progress; you just come back the next day and move three more, till you are done.

The Context

The problem with productivity advice is that it often gets flattened into a slogan. “Eat the frog” is useful, if you’ve got the mental energy. But if you’re burned out, distracted or emotionally overloaded, that approach can create more pressure than progress.

The research tells us that difficult-tasks-first can work well, but not for everyone, and not in every situation. When that approach feels overwhelming, Kaizen offers a softer, still-effective alternative: start small, and build momentum gently.

Both ideas can coexist. You don’t need to choose between frog or failure. It’s about recognising what you need today, in this moment.

How is this relevant to the workplace?

This is where diversity of thought becomes vital in the workplace. People work differently. Some are early pacers, others need time to warm up. Some thrive on immediate challenge; others need a gentler build-up.

When we only champion one "best practice," we risk excluding or demotivating people; not because they’re incapable, but because the method doesn’t fit their style or context.

Inclusive cultures embrace flexibility. Productivity doesn’t have to be prescriptive. So yes, eat the frog; if you have the appetite for it. And if you don’t? Move three logs. Start small. Stay consistent. That’s still progress.

Take Away

Next time you feel overwhelmed, ask yourself: Do I need to eat the frog, or just move three logs? Either can work. The key is to know what’s right for you, and make space for others to do the same.