The most helpful thing I ever heard about FMQ is that it takes about three quilts to get the hang of it. When I heard that, I was able to relax and not have overly high expectations. I think it would not have gone so well if I had been thinking that I should be perfect right away. That would be my piece of advice -- don't try to be perfect, and just keep quilting (rather than constantly stopping to rip out imperfections).