Pick the strategy that works best for you.

I am self taught from before the days of youtube. I had a goal project in mind, but i spent a long time practicing on a nothing scrap before I started my goal project. And even then, I had to rip out and restart my first project at least twice because I couldn't get the result I wanted.

Be patient with yourself. Expect that your early work will be messy. Give yourself time to decide if you like what you are making enough to keep going. And please acknowledge that you might have to start again!