As someone who is nearly maxed, pacing really helps.
I think I went from around 2k total to near 2.2k (my max since I'm a pure) in about 2-3 years on and off. I've mixed a lot of raids/bossing/pking in with it...
Sometimes I'll have a big xp session or other times I'll take a break and chuck all my pvm/pk stuff onto my alt.
Combat Achievements seem a good way to make some money and get some nice perks (2min thralls I'm looking at you!). I can definitely do elites, probably masters but as far as I'm aware you have to be a zerk at least to get the zuk helm :-)