Good developers take breaks
Of course there are times when I find myself working solid until 8:00 pm or later. But I try to make that the exception rather than the norm. Most of the time, I’m pulled away by my kids coming home from school. In fact, I’m often annoyed at stopping a minute early.
This phenomena is well know. In fact, you’ve probably heard of it. I also so it addressed keenly at a writer’s conference last year. Your subconscious is still working on the problem whether you are or not. Sometimes, when you aren’t actively trying to fix it, your noodle is freed up to look back at what you did, what you’ve read, and other things.
The key thing is telling yourself to take that break. To pause. To stop and not burn the candle at both ends. If you work that hard, your subconscious will be on the ropes. Those extra ideas that can often succeed when you may have failed all day, may not come at all. It’s a big leap I know, but give it a try.