Hi totoff,
I guess it's not really a secret. I used to run a webagency and I'm used to crazy deadlines.
So, no i was not working 24/24 at all. I dont know if this method would work for everybody, but here is how I work :
- Give yourself a deadline
- Spend 1/8 of the time allocated to plan ahead the project, the data structure, the features.
- Use tools, libraries, frameworks you know by heart, and learn one new tool ( no more no less ) at each project. Small tool for a small project, bigger tool for bigger project.
- If you run into a bug, give yourself 10min and/or 5 tries max to find the reason of the bug (the reason, not the solution). If not found, don't get stuck, wait the next day.
- Don't optimize before going to prod. Wait 24h after going to prod to see bottlenecks, then add one day to fix performance issues ( same thing : only tools you know, learn one new every time )
- Use a good css/js library / framework.
- Rely carefully on third party plugins : try to stay the master of your markup.
- Work with repeatable design so your css will be repeatable and modularized.
- Be the one who design the site : so you can balance difficulty
- To do list, to do list. Plan the next day at the end of the day.
- If you have the budget, use QA services ( like http://crowdsourcedtesting.com/ )
- Know the market you're coding for. Don't kill yourself for under represented browsers.
- Use a laptop, so you can code anywhere ( when you have an idea, etc... ).
- Practice, practice, practice