Your greatest adversary and your greatest ally is yourself. Trying to control all the circumstances and people around you and thinking this will bring the results you want is a waste of time and energy. 

Let's rather put our focus on figuring out which pieces are "on each side of our board", and what moves are going to strengthen or weaken our position. 

Let's recognise the unutilised pieces left  that are just waiting to show up for us, and identify those pieces we have to stop from wreacking havoc in our lives and preventing us from being the men we are capable of being. 

Whether it is the long or short game, taking the time to think, be intentional and self-aware sets us up for victory in every aspect of our lives. Learning to conquer ourselves is job number one.