Lesson 1 Believe That You Can Do Better
The Magic of Believing That You Can Grow
Think of an ordinary boy who ____ playing sports like you and your friends.
One ____ as he returns from school, his mom and dad are waiting outside and pointing at the garage.
His mom smiles and says, “We ____ a surprise for you.”
When ____ dad pulls the garage door open, there is a table-tennis table inside!
The boy is excited. He recently joined the ____ table-tennis club and wanted to practice more.
He rushes to the other side of the net and ____ his dad to a match.
Let’s pause the story here. The boy now faces a big ____
He could choose to ____ himself to grow and face difficulties with endurance and courage.
Or he could avoid new and challenging experiences and choose ____ easy, familiar path.
The Boy Who Chooses an Easy and Familiar Path
Let’s ____ with the path of avoidance.
The boy waits for his dad ____ concentrates hard.
When the ball comes flying across ____ net rapidly, he misses it completely.
He puts his hands on his knees ____ sighs.
“Never mind,” says ____ dad, “Try again. Practice makes perfect.”
When the boy serves the ____ it returns with full force, hitting and bruising his elbow.
____ boy is not having much fun.
He sets the paddle on the table, saying, ____ have had enough,” and leaves for his room.
His dad asks for another game the next week, but the boy still has some pain ____ his elbow and just does not feel like taking up the challenge.
When his mom suggests playing ____ his older brother, he turns down her suggestion because his brother is very tough.
“No, thanks,” sighs the boy. “He’s going to be better ____ me anyway.”
In his eyes, challenges are nothing more than obstacles, and he holds onto the belief that they are ____ avoided.
The Boy Who Embraces the Challenge
Let’s rewind to the point when the ____ first faces his dad across the net.
His first attempt does not go any ____ and he still gets hit on the elbow on his second try.
However, he ____ up the ball and tries again anyway.
An hour later, ____ dad still keeps winning easily, but the boy is learning from the experience.
Every now and then, he even surprises himself with a decent return, and a few times, he ____ hits the ball past his dad.
The boy later on decides to challenge ____ older brother.
____ brother is a better player, but the boy likes the idea that he can work even harder.
The boy learns from his mistakes ____ develops new skills by practicing.
He practices hard after school, on weekends, and on holidays until he is ____ to join the regional team.
Eventually, he participates in the national championship and makes it all the way to ____ finals.
____ finds his opponent to be skillful and smart, but he plays hard.
He finds himself at match point, and ____ audience holds its breath.
He realizes how ____ he has come.
For years he ____ gotten up early to practice and has loved the challenge of improving his game.
He ____ for the match and sneaks the ball past his opponent.
He punches the air in triumph. ____ has become truly awesome!
You may have the idea that this is simply a fictional tale.
____ this is the true story of Matthew Syed, a former member of the British national table-tennis team.
His tale shows how an ordinary boy developed his passion for table tennis ____ eventually became the national champion.
Because he had a growth mindset, he tried ____ new, discovered what he truly desired, and then became tough when he faced a difficult task.
How about you? Do you see ____ in the story?
You, too, can ____ your own “table tennis.”
It ____ be a hobby, a career, or a personal goal.
What is important is that you embrace the challenge and ____ give up on what you want to achieve.
Go out there and ____ your goal!