The stopping point

Short journal · Original editorial · A kinder measure of progress

A polished piece keeps changing without a clear reason.

Progress can be described without making every attempt a score. Choose a feature you can inspect and compare it with an earlier attempt in a fair context. A changed method, a clearer question, or a useful limit may matter more than speed.

Name the remaining problem before making another revision.

A useful next step can be modest. Name what would count as enough for this version, then allow the rest to wait.