Eat the Frog: How to Tackle Your Toughest Revision Tasks First
Not all revision tasks are equal – some demand more focus and effort than others. This article outlines a straightforward approach to tackling the most challenging topics first, helping make study sessions more effective. Read on to learn how to put this into practice.
This article is correct as at 20 January 2026.
When it comes to preparing for CII exams, most of us are guilty of the same habit: putting off the bits we don’t enjoy. Maybe it’s tax rules, maybe it’s pensions legislation, maybe it’s memorising trust law – whatever your personal “frog” is, it usually gets left until last.
But here’s the problem: by the time you get around to it, your motivation and energy are already low, and the task feels even harder. That’s where the idea of eating the frog comes in.
Where does “eat the frog” come from?
The phrase is most often linked to the writer Mark Twain, who supposedly said:
“If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.”
The idea was later popularised in Brian Tracy’s book Eat That Frog! – which is all about productivity and beating procrastination.
Applying It to Exam Prep
In revision, your “frog” is the difficult or boring bits you’d rather avoid. For example:
- Learning some of the complex calculations in R02
- The nitty gritty of pension transfers in R04
- Some of the less interesting regulatory bits in R01.
The trick is simple: do it first.
When you tackle the hardest task at the start of your study session, three things happen:
- You get it out of the way – no more mental weight hanging over you.
- You use your freshest brainpower on the trickiest material.
- You build momentum – once the worst bit is done, the rest feels easier.
How to Put This Into practice
- Identify your frog each day: Before you start revising, ask yourself: “What’s the one thing I’m most tempted to avoid today?” That’s your frog.
- Do it first: Don’t check emails, don’t tidy your desk – just get straight into it.
- Reward yourself: Once you’ve finished, give yourself a break or move on to an easier, more enjoyable topic.
Final Thought
Revision for CII exams isn’t just about technical knowledge – it’s also about discipline and mindset. By learning to “eat the frog” and get the worst tasks out of the way first, you’ll study more effectively and with less stress.
So tomorrow, when you sit down to revise, ask yourself: What’s my frog?
Grab the resources you need!
Studying for your CII exam? Once you’ve tackled the harder topics, practice is key. Explore Brand Financial Training’s Mock Exam Papers and download a free taster today.
