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