Excellence isn’t inevitable; it always requires work. But it is repeatable.
Once you’ve found a way to your excellence, you can get there again. Once your students have tasted excellence, convincing them to work for it is a little easier the next time.
When I see the “legacy” teachers – the ones who have excellent ensembles year after year – I know that they have learned that excellence is repeatable, and found the way to get there.
If you’re aiming for excellence, pay attention to the terrain as you go; you’re going to want to find it again.