Funny thing, that same idea shows up everywhere. My grandpa used to say you buy the cheap tool first, learn the job with it, then upgrade once you know what you are doing. Three months in and you are probably still getting a feel for the bull float, so the finish will only get better from here.

Pre marking with a chalk line is the whole game, saves you a ton of up and down on the lift. My best solo day was 38 sheets on a shop ceiling with a dead man, and I couldn't lift a coffee cup after. A lift plus layout done ahead of time is how you hit numbers like 42 without your body hating you.

Saw a study once that said bad luck runs tend to even out over a month, not a week. Your Tuesday flip sounds about right then.