What I can say for sure, is that I wouldn't have stayed on the ball and kept practising despite many short and bad-quality LDs - without the lure of motivation of the ToTMs: http://www.dreamviews.com/tasks-mont...er-2014-a.html
It's amazing, what one can do if one is determined to accomplish something for "bragging rights" about it on the internet. At least I'm that simple.

But just rushing about and trying and do something, can distract one from fully enjoying the scenery and what the dream brings up for your on its own.
So there needs to be a balance, but I would have given up on my own, if it were not for the interactivity on here.