You try something and it doesn't work. It's not quite clear why. Was it because of x, y, or z? You try it again and it doesn't work. The reason's still not clear. You try it again. It doesn't work.
You're familiar with Einstein's definition of insanity. You'd prefer to think of yourself as sane.
By any reasonable standard, you've given it the good college try. Maybe it doesn't work because it just doesn't fucking work.