Lesson 1 Believe That You Can Do Better
The Magic of Believing That You Can Grow
Think of an ____ boy who likes playing sports like you and your friends.
One day, as he returns from school, his mom and dad are waiting outside and ____ 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 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 ____ his dad to a match.
Let’s pause the story here. The boy ____ faces a big choice.
He could choose to challenge himself to grow and face difficulties with endurance and ____.
Or he ____ avoid new and challenging experiences and choose an easy, familiar path.
The Boy Who Chooses an Easy and Familiar Path
Let’s start with the ____ of avoidance.
The boy waits for his dad and concentrates ____.
When the ball comes flying across the net ____, he misses it completely.
He ____ his hands on his knees and sighs.
“Never mind,” says his dad, “Try again. Practice ____ perfect.”
____ the boy serves the ball, it returns with full force, hitting and bruising his elbow.
The boy is ____ having much fun.
He sets the paddle on the ____, saying, “I have had enough,” and leaves for his room.
His dad asks for another game the next week, but the boy still has some pain in his elbow and just does not ____ like taking up the challenge.
____ his mom suggests playing against 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 best ____.
The Boy Who Embraces the Challenge
Let’s rewind to the point when the boy first faces his dad ____ 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 tries ____ 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 with a decent return, and a ____ times, he almost hits the ball past his dad.
The boy later on decides to challenge his older ____.
His brother is a better player, but the ____ likes the idea that he can work even harder.
The boy learns from his mistakes and develops new skills by ____.
He ____ hard after school, on weekends, and on holidays until he is able to join the regional team.
Eventually, he participates in the national ____ and makes it all the way to the finals.
He finds his ____ to be skillful and smart, but he plays hard.
He finds ____ at match point, and the audience holds its breath.
He realizes how far he ____ come.
For years he has gotten up early to ____ and has loved the challenge of improving his game.
He serves for the ____ and sneaks the ball past his opponent.
He punches the ____ in triumph. 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 ____ shows how an ordinary boy developed his passion for table tennis and eventually became the national champion.
Because he had a growth mindset, he tried something ____, discovered what he truly desired, and then became tough when he faced a difficult task.
How about you? Do ____ see yourself in the story?
____, too, can find your own “table tennis.”
It might be a hobby, a ____, or a personal goal.
What is important is that ____ embrace the challenge and never give up on what you want to achieve.
Go out there and achieve your ____!