The Turning Point

Big events usually have a turning point that becomes the deciding factor in their outcome.

I observed one such turning point in yesterday's Cricket World Cup semi-final match between India and New Zealand.

At one point during the game, it seemed New Zealand would win the match when two of their players started batting exceedingly well.

India had put up a big score to chase for New Zealand, but these two batsmen were up for the challenge. I could feel the win slipping away from India with each over.

But then came a turning point.

One of those batsmen was caught out, thus breaking the steady run-making partnership between the two.

From that point onwards, India's probability of winning the match started going up again. And eventually, amid a few hiccups, India won the match with seventy runs to spare.

If it hadn't been for this turning point, I'm not sure India would've won last night's game and, therefore, would've been knocked out of the World Cup tournament.

We see turning points like this not only in sports but also in real life.

You might have a struggling business on your hands, and then one idea or product becomes a hit and turns your failing business around.

A struggling writer gets one sudden stroke of creativity and steers their book from unfinished garbage to a bestseller.

The lesson I draw from this observation is not to give up easily.

Things might not be well at the moment, but you never know; there might be a turning point just around the corner.