Review: Finding The Gaps

In one of the chapters, Simon Taufel shares his experience of officiating in a Test match between England and New Zealand at Trent Bridge in 2004, where he got six wrong decisions. It was a huge setback for him in his five year long umpiring career. But he did not let it take control over his emotions.

This ability to regroup and refocus to face the next challenge is what he terms as ‘bouncebackability’. He provides valuable insights on how to develop this skill and use it to create a pathway to success. This is the premise on which ‘Finding The Gaps’ is based - a self-improvement book aiming to help you unlock your full potential.

The book is lucidly written and will instantly connect to you at a personal level. The perspectives have been shared from the point of the match officials or the ‘third team’, as Simon calls it. The five-time ICC Umpire of the year lists his struggles and challenges of being a part of the third team for almost 23 years.  “What is hard for the players, is also hard for the umpires”, he subtly puts it. This, for me, is the strength of the book as there are not many literary works out there which focus on this aspect of the game.

He shares his experience of umpiring in different countries, adapting to diverse cultures, being well versed with laws of the game and dealing with umpire-player conflicts  -  all of which makes for a compelling read. The author also narrates many unheard anecdotes and stories which shall come as a delight, if you are a cricket fan.

The book is neatly organized in seventeen chapters, each chapter providing insights on a key life-skill. Simon puts his heart and soul in making sure that the lessons shared by him helps the readers in improving their lives. The book shall make you appreciate his journey to the pinnacle of umpiring. Even though the references used in the book are mostly related to cricket, the life-lessons discussed shall benefit aspiring coaches, entrepreneurs and leaders.

Some of the life-skills discussed and analyzed by Simon are:

1. How to improve focus

2. Managing Conflict

3. Preparation

4. Discipline

5. Adaptability

   
   

A big letdown for me was that the book gets theoretical at times. But the presence of real life incidents and anecdotes help you sail through. If you are looking for a sports non-fiction that is not too focused on the intricacies of cricket, you must pick up this book.

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