Simply making an effort does not get you anywhere. It has to be the right kind of action, timing, and place.

Make yourself in such a way that you are always part of the solution, not the problem.

See how to go ahead in life. Constantly looking in the rear view mirror will make you crash.

Anything yields to you only to the extent you pay attention to it. In this context, your breath is a beautiful device because it is always on.  

Time is not money. Time is life.