With any long needlework project (and knitting and weaving), I usually set a kitchen timer. Work for a set time, then get up, move around (check x marks or one of my other forums....), take the dog for a run around the block, whatever.

That breaks up the project into managable chunks when it is not going well, and keeps me from getting an eyestrain headache or swollen feet from sitting too long if it is going so well that I loose track of the time. (And sometimes both of those extremes can happen one right after another on the SAME project!).

So tackle each pleat as it's own little mini project. You'll get through them.