SO when it comes out too sharpened on the sides and not in the middle then you add a mask and soft brush the edges with a light opacity brush.
I realize you have to get back into so read some tuts man. It'll help you shake the rust off.
Your second one isn't as bad as the first. But remember don't use outerglow or beldnign options on text when you are still learning.
Follow two or three tuts and it will all come back to you.