Strong players resign hopeless games and keep their energy for the next one. Knowing when it’s over is a skill.

Playing out a lost position costs hours and gives nothing back, and the reason people do it is rarely hope. It is the reluctance to be the one who stopped. Recognising that something is finished is a judgement, and a harder one than persistence, because persistence has the better reputation.

Look at what you are still pushing on and ask whether there is a realistic path or only reluctance. If it is over, say so and take the energy somewhere it can do something. Stopping one thing properly is often what makes the next thing possible.