This is the exact technique I used that made me a better developer. I would take on the task of rewriting code in my own time (small team where my rewrite didn'

This is the exact technique I used that made me a better developer. I would take on the task of rewriting code in my own time (small team where my rewrite didn't affect others). There were times where I misjudged how difficult the rewrite was, but I stuck with it and took it as a learning experience to make sure next time I thought things through further before moving ahead with a complete rewrite. Now that I'm more experienced, I tend to get more important (and difficult) projects, and no longer attempt the large scale rewrite. I do definitely throw away portions of code and rewrite, though. I think there's a balance to achieve.