I thought watery mud would spread easier. A recent patch job took twice as long to sand smooth. Now I mix it to a thicker paste for better results.
I know everyone says to use a power sander for speed, but I think hand sanding gives a better feel. This last job had a tricky vaulted ceiling with weird corners. I spent extra time with just a sanding block and it came out super smooth. The homeowner was blown away and gave me a shout out online. Maybe it's just me, but that patience really paid off this time.
I had to wait for the mud to fully cure on a high humidity day, which took almost twice as long as usual. Rushing it would have meant bubbles and cracks showing up later. Now I always factor in extra time for drying, no matter what the schedule says. It keeps the finish smooth and saves me from callbacks.
On a quick bathroom remodel, the owner asked to skip sanding to speed things up. I knew it would show through the paint, so I did a light sand anyway. They noticed the smooth finish and were impressed. Sometimes doing the extra step pays off.