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