Attention & Focus · “You Become What You Hold”
The ABCDE Method
Make a list of everything you have to do, then rank each item A-B-C-D-E by consequence so you always work on the highest-value task first.
List every task (the night before). Mark each by consequence: A = must-do (rank A-1/A-2/A-3), B = should-do, C = nice-to-do, D = delegate, E = eliminate. Start A-1 first, finish it, and never do a lower letter while a higher one remains.
What it is
Tracy’s daily prioritization tool. You write a list of everything you have to do — ideally the night before — then put a letter, A through E, next to each item according to its consequences.
The rule he repeats: importance is set by consequences. Something with serious consequences is an A; something with no consequences is a C. You then work the list strictly top-down, never touching a lower task while a higher one remains. It is the system that tells you which task is the “frog.”
The Method
- Write the full list of everything you have to do tomorrow — before you start, ideally the night before, so your subconscious can work on it overnight.
- Put a letter beside each item: - A — “Must do.” Very important; serious consequences if done or not done. If you have several, rank them A-1, A-2, A-3 in order. - B — “Should do.” Mild consequences — someone may be mildly inconvenienced. Rule: never do a B while an A is undone. - C — “Nice to do.” No consequences at all either way (e.g., a chat, a coffee). Pleasant but they don’t move your goals. - D — “Delegate.” Anything someone else can do, freeing you for your A tasks. - E — “Eliminate.” Tasks no longer relevant or that became habits; drop them entirely.
- Start on your A-1 immediately and stay on it until complete — that’s the frog.
- Discipline yourself to work in order: finish all A’s before B’s, all B’s before C’s, top to bottom. (Sourcing note: the A-B-C-D-E definitions and “consequences” framing are from Tracy’s Eat That Frog! and his published ABCDE checklist; short phrases are quoted faithfully.)
Source & Lineage
Brian Tracy, Eat That Frog! (2001), and his standalone “ABCDE Prioritization Checklist.” It pairs with his frog rule (the A-1 is the frog) and rests on the 80/20 principle — that a few tasks produce most of the value.
Common refinements
Too many A’s. If everything is an A, nothing is. Keep A’s few; force rank A-1, A-2, A-3.
- Ranking by urgency or ease, not consequence. The whole method hinges on consequences — ask what happens if you do/don’t do it.
- Doing C’s to feel productive. C’s are comfortable and seductive; they’re the busywork that crowds out A’s.
- Never delegating or eliminating. D and E exist to clear room for A’s; skipping them keeps you buried.
- Making the list after you’ve started working. Plan the night before, then execute.