The ABCDE prioritization method
Label every task A (must), B (should), C (nice), D (delegate), or E (eliminate) before starting.
Why it works
Forcing each task into a ranked category prevents the trap of treating a flat list as equally weighted, where the easiest item wins by default. By assigning consequences (an A has serious consequences if undone; a C has none), it ties prioritization to real stakes rather than to how appealing each task feels.
How to do it
- Write your task list, then label each A, B, C, D, or E by its consequence if left undone.
- Number within each letter (A-1, A-2) so you have a single top task.
- Never do a B while an A remains; delegate every D and delete every E.
Evidence
The consequence-based ranking is consistent with goal-setting and prioritization research on the value of explicit, ordered priorities over undifferentiated lists. Locke and Latham’s 35-year synthesis of goal-setting research finds that specific, clearly ranked goals reliably outperform vague or undifferentiated ones on task performance, which is the mechanism the ABCDE labeling operationalizes. (observational)
The specific ABCDE scheme is Tracy’s practitioner system; what’s supported is that explicit prioritization beats none, not this exact labeling.
Sources
Common mistake
Marking too many tasks "A", which recreates an undifferentiated list — the discipline is in keeping the A category small.
Practice this with IX Coach
More practices for Eat That Frog, Made Practical
- Do the hardest task first
Tackle your single most important, most-dreaded task before anything else in the day.
- Single handling
Start the most important task and stay with it, without switching, until it’s 100% done.
- Plan the night before
Decide tomorrow’s frog and task order the evening before, so the morning needs no decisions.
- Apply the 80/20 rule
Find the few tasks that produce most of the value, and make those your frogs.
- Slice and dice the task
Cut an overwhelming frog into small slices and commit to just the first one.