Listing!

LISTING!

When your Ship of Life is listing

And likely to capsize,

And Sleep wont pay a visit

Even though you close your eyes

You must take heed of a trick of mine

That, maybe, you have missed.

It's that all-important, self-destructing,

Ever-decreasing  List.

I, too, my friends, have tossed and turned

And thrashed about in bed,

Thinking of things that must be written,

Telephoned or read.

Imagining the chaos

That will fall about my ears

When the next day dawns and I'm caught out!

It's sure to end in tears.

Get out of bed and take a pen

And write your 'Things to Do'.

Already you'll feel better;

I know, for sure, it's true.

There may be fifty items,

Or even fifty-six!

But seeing them in black and white

Makes them a cinch to fix!

Now number them. Find Number One,

The MOST IMPORTANT task.

And follow it with two, then three.

It's not too much to ask.

Now, there and then, be resolute

And concentrate your mind

On that vital Number One alone!

And I know that you will find

That, already, you feel better,

For your tired brain's been tricked!

It thinks you've only one concern!

The Number One you've picked!

Decide on a course of action

Then cross that devil out!

You'll feel that you've achieved your goal

Without the slightest doubt.

Go back to bed, exhausted.

You've wrestled with your life,

But now you're tired and satisfied

Not full of stress and strife.

Try this little ruse of mine!

Don't end up round the twist!

Write that all-important, self-destructing,

Ever-decreasing List.