Dear learning1,

No mistake now: I want to go as fast as is consistent with steady, measurable progress. If I have to slow down, if I have to repeat something I've done before, I'm happy with that. I assume that for various reasons I'll have to vary my speed, for example, when I'm seeking out the basis for a particular emotion and "lose the trace" and have to continue to search for it. One's unconscious is sneaky (sorry to personalize it, but that's how I think), and will throw up roadblocks which I'll have to tear down or get around.

To me, the key to progress is not only willpower, but very much also being willing and able to shift gears whenever necessary, to change approaches, to be eclectic in choice of analytic modes, to always have a part of my mind standing to one side and observing and judging whether something different is required for regular, steady progress to be made. And even with all this, I'm quite sure that from time to time my unconscious will have me stymied. It does that so well.

So, no, I don't think I'm in a "better place" than anyone else with regard to therapy. Nor have I learned to "do it better." (I'm still a beginner on most of this.) I just have this strong sense of urgency combined with a serious personal commitment to do what it takes to "get there" in as short a time as possible. And I'm entirely reasonable about the definition of "short."

Take care!