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