I can add a few project management things, too: I do a lot of big projects. These are writing-centric, because so am I. But I think at least some of them could apply to visual art, filmmaking, etc.
If you can have a small amount of overlap on your projects. You will feel a little busy. But your engine will stay warm and run smooth. Big breaks between projects can fuck you up.
A small amount of overlap will allow you to switch back and forth between different project modes, helping prevent burnout; that means I’m muscling through paragraph generation in the late-stage project in the morning, and doing playful brainstorming for the early-stage project in the afternoon.
Interact with your plan every day. You don’t need to add bits or take away bits, but reconnect with the shape of the plan, particularly the deadlines involved.
This is especially important if you procrastinate, like I do.
Page counts for the day are a thing. (Today, I need to get from page 78 to page 90 on the thing I’m working on. Wish me luck.)
Pace yourself well. I like to try to get a page an hour; I tend to work fifty minutes out of every hour. You’ll have to figure out the best ratio of breaks to bursts of work energy. Make sure you give yourself time to immerse yourself.
Are other people involved with your project? Stay in touch with them.
Every day, spend a little time quietly, by yourself, imagining, envisioning, feeling as if the project is already finished, whole.
This is not daydreaming. What you’re doing is trying to catch a glimpse of the finished product. Because that will help you figure out what to do.
Look down in there. Easy now, don’t squint, just wait. What do you see?
Orchids help. Keep an orchid on your desk. When you water it, make sure you drain the water completely, okay?
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