3. Avoid the curse of the "final push." Scope and sequence a project so that each part is shorter than the one that precedes it. Feeling the work units shrink as you go gives you a tangible sense of progress and speeds you toward the end. When you leave the long parts for last, you're more likely to get worn out before you finish. Besides, if you're "dead at the deadline," those other projects you're juggling will stagnate.
4. (ok, 3 isn't always perfect) Find the poetry in the humdrum. Almost any project has a stretch that numbs the brain. The moment you realize you've slipped into the Drone Zone, look in the mirror -- literally. It's hilarious, even if a little scary, to see the vacancy of the running hamster in your eyes. Laugh at it, write about it, tell a friend what you saw. It might even inspire verse. Whether or not you're a poet, record how long it took you to morph from human to hamster. Then sequence your next project accordingly.
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