Yep we. or at least I have done things like you explained in your very informative story above.
But i just put it down to experience and, let it all go, and lay in bed and think how i will tackle the problem tomorrow.
It is surprising, but true, if you think about a situation long enough, the answer will all of a sudden hit you, and it will look so much easier to fix.
There is no mistake that cant be fixed, some how.
The joys of Astronomy
leon