I usually have two WIPs, one that I take to sewing group which is usually a scrappy project that allows me to visit with friends and something more challenging to work on at home that requires to be in the zone. That way there is always room to squeeze in a simple project like placemats or a baby quilt when needed.
I am pretty diligent about not having UFO’s. I had one a few of years ago that carried over for nearly two years. My son had chosen the pattern Tumbling Blocks and batiks for it but it was more of an intermediate project which I was not ready for. I finally worked my way through it and ever since then I have been pretty disciplined.