Improving By Degrees

One of the most expensive UFOs in my life (other than the ongoing house remodel, of course), is my college degree.  This adventure was begun more than two decades ago and there are still a few classes that need to be completed.  I am enrolled in an online program, but time has elapsed and my eight-year window of opportunity is about to close.  This degree needs to be completed this year.

In January, about the time this blog began, I signed up for a class.  At first I worked on it vigorously, but the next paper is something that I want to get perfect and it isn't there yet.

I am reminded of a friend in a quilt class whose motto was Finish.  She was a beginner who joined a quilt guild and she noticed that many of the experienced quilters were so obsessive about perfection that they "picked everything out and redid" until it was exactly right -- which meant they often got burnt out and did not finish.

But she did.  My friend took to heart the admonition to "consider each project a practice for the next one."  She did her best, but she accepted that she was learning and she finished -- about a quilt a week, at that point!  After only a few months, she had lots of completed quilts, which she used to decorate her house and give as gifts.

I need to take lessons.  Perfect or not, I just need to Finish.