Originally Published: Sept. 28, 2018

Robert Redford, the legendary actor, has announced that his latest movie will be his last. This revelation has sparked a series of interviews, where he discussed a quote that has guided him throughout his life:

“‘There’s only the trying. The rest is not our business.’ It’s one of my favorite phrases,” Redford said during an interview with CBS Sunday Morning. “Because you can’t guarantee where the trying is going to get you. So, you can’t guarantee the result. The only thing there is in its place is the trying. That’s where the action is.”

Eliot’s words remind us of the value of taking initiative. Until you try, you never know the result.

“Trying” takes initiative—a mindset that drives you to act. Just this week, during a training session, our maintenance team encountered new ideas. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive; everyone learned something new. Our hope is that each person will take this newfound knowledge home and apply it.

That’s initiative.

“Trying” also demands courage. It’s easy to stick with the familiar, but true progress comes from challenging the status quo, experimenting with alternatives, and refining the process.

That’s courage.

Finally, “trying” requires resilience. Initial attempts may not always succeed, but the key is to keep trying, learning, and improving.

That’s resilience.

Robert Redford values the quote about trying because it has led him to a fulfilling life. It reminds me of one of my favorite quotes: “I’d rather say I’m sorry than I wish I had.” – Quincy Jones.

We aim to be a team that celebrates “trying.” With a group full of initiative, courage, and resilience, we’re on the right path.