Here’s a little conundrum that artists seem to experience: how do you evaluate your own artwork?

I get the feeling it’s a conundrum for almost any activity you care about. The question is usually followed by a deeper one: what are your personal measures for excellence? And what should you do when you’re falling short?

Without realizing it, I recently found myself struggling with this. In the process I learned a few things, including a great paradox of problems: they’re pretty good teachers.