Patience. Patience. Patience. Slowwww down. I still struggle with that.
When it comes time to putting a finish on your project, slow down even more. We spend so much time on our projects, why rush the finishing end.
Experiment with different finishes.
Before applying the finish, spritz your project with mineral spirits, it will expose sanding marks that you otherwise wouldn't see.
Use a sponge moistened with mineral spirits to remove pattern.
When stack cutting, use hot glue along the sides.
work from the center of the pattern to the outside.
I think it was Scrappile who mentioned to relax, breathe normal, and drop your shoulders. So true it bears repeating.
Try intarsia, try inlay, try portraits, try fretwork,
Enjoy yourself, and have fun, it is quite the rush when you finish a project and say "wow, I made that".