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.
