Yesterday the Calgary Stampeders major league football team (Canadian Football League) won the annual Grey Cup.  The leagues penultimate trophy. 

This was their third consecutive appearance in the Grey cup game and first win.  Although the intent is to succeed on the first try this is not always possible.

Keep on Trying

Firm or obstinate continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition (i.e., persistance) is not always the order of the day, but on occassion it is the best practice. 

Of course, for the Calgary Stampeders given the nature of professional sports, persistently pursuing the annual championship is not really a choice. 

In a loose analogy though, it could be said of Stampeders efforts, sometimes it only takes three tries for the win.  That is to say, the opportunity for success only exists as long as you continue to make an attempt. 

Constantly Assess

Possibly more importantly than blinding persisting is the need to constantly evaluate and modify your methods. 

Sticking with the sports analogy, a team like the Calgary Stampeders do not win the league championship just be trying to do it. 

Practice, strategy and change management (recognizing the constant presence of change and using it effectively) at all key contributors to winning. 

 It is an old saying but has some merit, “If you persist you might achieve your objective, but if you don’t try you will not succeed”.