Lesson 1 Believe That You Can Do Better
The Magic of Believing That You Can Grow
Think of an ordinary boy who likes ____ sports like you and your friends.
One day, as he returns from ____, his mom and dad are waiting outside and pointing at the garage.
His mom smiles and says, “We have a surprise for ____.”
When his dad ____ the garage door open, there is a table-tennis table inside!
The boy is excited. He recently joined the school’s table-tennis ____ and wanted to practice more.
He rushes to the other side of the ____ and challenges his dad to a match.
Let’s ____ the story here. The boy now faces a big choice.
He could choose to challenge himself to grow and face ____ with endurance and courage.
Or he could avoid new and ____ experiences and choose an easy, familiar path.
The Boy Who Chooses an Easy and Familiar Path
Let’s start with the path of ____.
The ____ waits for his dad and concentrates hard.
When the ball ____ flying across the net rapidly, he misses it completely.
He puts his ____ on his knees and sighs.
“Never mind,” says his dad, “Try again. ____ makes perfect.”
When the boy serves the ball, it returns with full force, hitting and ____ his elbow.
The boy is ____ having much fun.
He sets the paddle on the table, saying, “I ____ had enough,” and leaves for his room.
His ____ asks for another game the next week, but the boy still has some pain in his elbow and just does not feel like taking up the challenge.
When his mom suggests playing against his older brother, he turns down her suggestion ____ his brother is very tough.
“No, thanks,” sighs the boy. “He’s ____ 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 when the boy first ____ his dad across the net.
His first attempt does not go any better, and he still gets hit on the elbow on his second ____.
However, he picks up the ball and ____ again anyway.
An hour later, his dad still keeps winning easily, but the boy is ____ from the experience.
Every ____ and then, he even surprises himself with a decent return, and a few times, he almost hits the ball past his dad.
The boy later on decides to ____ his older brother.
His brother is a better player, but the boy likes the idea that he can work ____ harder.
The boy learns from his mistakes and develops new skills by ____.
He practices hard ____ school, on weekends, and on holidays until he is able to join the regional team.
Eventually, he participates in the national championship and makes it ____ the way to the finals.
He finds his opponent to be skillful and smart, but he plays ____.
He finds himself at match ____, and the audience holds its breath.
He realizes ____ far he has come.
For years he has gotten up early to practice and has loved the challenge of improving his ____.
He serves for the match and sneaks the ____ 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 ____ of Matthew 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 mindset, he tried something new, discovered what he truly desired, and then ____ tough when he faced a difficult task.
How ____ you? Do you see yourself in the story?
You, too, can find your own “table ____.”
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 ____ and achieve your goal!