Inching Your Way to Clarity: The Story of the Tipping Point

“The tipping point is that magic moment when an idea, trend, or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire. Just as a single sick person can start an epidemic of the flu, so too can a small but precisely targeted push cause a fashion trend, the popularity of a new product, or a drop in the crime rate.”  

I came across this extract in a review of Malcolm Gladwell’s “The Tipping Point.” What struck me right off the bat was how perfectly that phrase applied to the year I’d been having.

I wound up at the end of 2020 having dropped some of my innermost fears and insecurities. Bidding a determined farewell to the nagging doubts that held me back, I realised I was finally able to relish the Here and Now, soak in the moment for what it was and find happiness just being present.

By the grace of the universe, I was moving towards clarity as most of the world found itself riddled with uncertainty. The churn of the years, the reflections, the conversations and further reflections… everything seemed to fall right into place.

I’m writing this piece for those of you who feel like your endless hesitation, your crippling doubts, are holding you back, in the hope that you find some answers in my journey. What worked for me may or may not do the trick for you, but it might just trigger the tipping point.

Eagerness To Learn & Improve

1.  Eagerness to learn and improve – My willingness to learn is something I’m rather proud of and I picked the habit up all the way back when I worked as an Assistant Director. Filmmaking is a long and complicated process made of countless small parts. Eventually, each of these units come together to give the movie its final look and feel.

Just like the development of a film, my journey has been ground to different kinds of games, several types of units, and the one thing they all had in common was that I needed to play. So play I did!

Share Vulnerability

2.  Share Vulnerability – It’s okay not to be perfect. It’s okay to reveal your weak points. When you share your vulnerability, you allow the universe to help you.

In my journey, I have opened up to friends, coaches, healers, therapists and each one of them had unique perspectives to offer. I allowed them a peek into my world and I was rewarded with insights I wouldn’t have noticed on my own.

Be a Sponge

3.  Be a sponge – Everything I found fascinating, I absorbed. Even if I had a doubt, I absorbed. And it worked. The little things I picked up ultimately came together and made all the difference. With every bit, I inched closer towards my tipping point.

Go with the Chaos

4.  Go with the chaos – Whatever you do, don’t quit.

This last year showed me some of my tough days with travel coming to a complete halt, and tough days could have fed on fear of uncertainty. Years of chaotic entrepreneurship ride had taught me to play on. And years of self work and working with a maverick partner prevented me from being on the edge or feeling hopeless. So, one thing I surely did, I didn’t Quit. I survived the hurricanes and now they all have their unique names :)

I promise you that the turbulence does stop, the flow does set in. Till then, go with the chaos.

Mind your Mind

5.  Take care of the Mind – What with everything else going on, my skincare went for a toss, but I didn’t let the same happen to my mind. The brain is like a knife. Use it regularly and you can cut through the toughest nut but if you leave it alone, it rusts. Surround yourself with people, books, and movies that keep your edges sharp. 

Believe me, all of us have a Tipping Point waiting to happen. It’s not imaginary, it’s not make-believe, and my 2020 is a testament to that. You just need to keep going till you get to yours.

Wish you all the best!