And then, there is another dimension to this problem. I may have finished my work, but for some reason I do not feel very comfortable with it. I am not very satisfied and even consider to destroy it. And then people come along, going through my portfolio, looking at my work and yes, surprise surprise, they select precisely that painting, that I nearly had rejected, or destroyed..….
Of course, the opposite will probably happen more frequently: I feel satisfied and proud about what I created. Potential buyers come along, but strangely they show no interest for my beautiful work! A disappointing situation.
Conclusion, apparently it is good to be cautious in giving a final verdict about your own work, cautious in accepting or rejecting it too quickly. Just leave it a while, take your time to think it over, get the opinion of others, study how people react to it…. In other words, do not consider your work as finished at all. Maintain a living relation with it, allow the relation to change.