This month, Lily reminded me what it truly looks like to rise to a challenge—with focus, patience, and a big splash of determination.

We were at the arcade, and she had her heart set on winning a massive rainbow penguin prize. The path to earning it? A water blaster game that pits players against each other for ticket glory. The challenge? Be the fastest and most accurate to fill the target and win.

The first couple of rounds didn’t go her way. She gave it her all, but other kids beat her to the finish. She could’ve walked away—but instead, she asked to try again. And again.

Learning Through the Process

With each attempt, Lily got a little better. She adjusted her aim, paid closer attention to the timing, and learned how to keep the water steady on the target. What started as trial and error quickly turned into a strategy. Before long, she was winning—and not just once. She kept at it until she had enough tickets in hand to claim that giant penguin.

The Real Lesson

What stood out most wasn’t the prize—it was the process. Lily didn’t win because she got lucky. She won because she was willing to fail, learn, improve, and try again. That’s what rising to the challenge looks like.

In business and in life, we all face moments where the first attempt doesn’t go as planned. It’s easy to stop there. But real progress happens when we choose to go again, knowing we’ll do a little better next time. It’s about learning from the misses and aiming a little sharper each round.

Conclusion

That giant rainbow penguin now sits proudly in Lily’s room, a reminder that persistence pays off. Whether you’re in an arcade, at work, or just trying to get better at something meaningful, the goal isn’t to get it right the first time—it’s to keep rising until you do.

Here’s to showing up, learning as we go, and not backing down from a challenge.

#LessonsWithLily #RisingToTheChallenge #Persistence #GrowthMindset #KeepTrying

WRITTEN BY

David Behney, Founder & CEO

David Behney is the Founder and CEO of Behney Management Strategies, where he helps small businesses achieve their big goals through expert C-suite consulting. With a background in fractional CFO services, David now provides strategic guidance across finance, operations, marketing, and technology to businesses with $1M–$30M in revenue. Passionate about driving growth and sustainability, he partners with business leaders to build strong foundations and navigate challenges. Connect with David to take your business to the next level.