Count to Ten—or Recite
“Baa Baa Black Sheep”
Every now and then someone or something is really going to
get your goat. But you’re a Rules Player now, and you’re not
going to lose your temper any more. How, exactly? The
answer is in fact one of those old pearls of wisdom. You get in
the habit of counting to ten under your breath while you hope
and pray that the feeling of impending rage will subside. It
invariably does for me and gives me those vital seconds to
regain my composure and remember where I am and who I
am. Once I have collected my wits and calmed down, I can
find an appropriate response.
But that counting to ten is essential. “Old hat,” I hear you say.
Ye p , b u t i t w o r k s. Yo u d o n ’t l i k e i t? T h e n y o u a r e m o s t w e l-
come to find something else to recite under your breath. A
poem perhaps, but it has to be a short one. That’s why I sug-
gested “Baa Baa Black Sheep.”
Someone asks you a question and you’re not sure of the
answer. Take ten before you answer. This person will think
you are incredibly wise and thoughtful. (Don’t tell him if you
are actually reciting “Baa Baa Black Sheep.”) It’s a variant on
“engage brain before opening mouth,” too—that extended
pause can save endless trouble.
If you find yourself in a confrontational situation, taking a
quiet ten can help enormously. I was once in a rough part of a
town but very hungry so I ventured into a fish and chip shop.
As I was being served, the “rough diamond” behind me whis-
pered that I should be very careful when I left the shop. I
asked why, and he said that I would be relieved of my food