In this module you will
- Write no more than three tasks that carry most of the value you contribute today.
- Explain how the law of three differs from the 80/20 principle.
The idea
On the sheet: “The law of three — the tasks that carry most of the value I contribute. Three at most. Everything else is negotiable.”
In Eat That Frog!, Brian Tracy states that three core tasks contain most of the value you contribute to your organization. This is chapter 8, “Apply the Law of Three,” in the 2nd and 3rd editions.
The difference: the 80/20 principle describes how value is distributed across all of your work. The law of three is a selection rule: name the three, every day, and give them most of your time. The frog is usually one of the three, but not always.
Step by step
Why A fourth item dilutes the other three.
Write up to three tasks; stop at three.
Why The list is only useful if the day obeys it.
Write them once: each of the three becomes an A action in step 4 on its own.
Worked example: the CEO
1. FY27 portfolio choices with the CFO and CRO (the frog). 2. Weekly operating review: chair it, but don’t solve. 3. Two protected strategic hours on the 3–5-year plan.
Practice it in the Daily Management form
This module is step 3 of the form: Prioritize: the Daily Frog and the law of three. What you enter there is saved on this device, so you can come back to it.
Open step 3Exercise
- Write your three.
- Cross out anything on today’s list that serves none of them and is not an obligation.
Original tools
- Open the original Daily Practice Sheets (on compassperformanceinc.com, opens in a new tab)The complete original sheets: PDF in English, French or Spanish, Letter or A4, half-letter and pocket sizes.
Sources and attribution
- External source The frog, the ABCDE method, the law of three and single handling follow Brian Tracy, Eat That Frog! (Berrett-Koehler; “Apply the Law of Three” is chapter 8 of the 2nd and 3rd editions). Summarised and applied by Compass; not endorsed by the author. Source (opens in a new tab)