A goal needs to be in the picture. For instance we can make 3.5" nine patches till the cows come home, but if we aren't working toward the perfect seams we are making compost. (edited to add that sounds pretty harsh to me, but the board is full of posts about rulers that can be used to size blocks down to perfect. Why Not make them right the first time, so much easier and half the time)
I have a box full of nine patches 3.5" from working out the perfect 1/4 inch on many different machines.
Another example, I've been making barn quilts. Oh my gosh, these first seven are huge learning curves. Paint doesn't have the fudge factor fabric does
Taping is a art in itself. It is easy to forget to seal the back...so I've got a routine I've worked out in place for the next ones. They will go faster and be prettier!