I can't tell you how many weblog posts on motivation that I've read, filed away, and then completely ignored any advice they may have had. Just today I came across "Overcoming a Loss of Motivation" at Pick the Brain:

How many times have you started a new activity (such as a personal project or exercise routine) with a burst of enthusiasm, only to see that initial momentum evaporate? This often leads to depression and causes us to give up prematurely.

Well, how about this: how many times have I been lazy and never even reached the point of starting something new? Too many times, believe me. There is some decent advice at that site, but I often think that there's no hope for me. Well, maybe that's being a little over-dramatic. Perhaps it's just that there isn't any advice out there that truly applies to me, and my quirks.

I think that part of my problem is that I too often get tied up in the implementation of what I'm supposed to do. For one example, while I was reading Getting Things Done I spent more time thinking about how I would approach its organization principles instead of actually Getting Things Done. I eventually just gave up on that process, and I'm still without any decent organization on my tasks. It seems I'd rather waste time surfing about the net than actually hunker down and start--much less finish--some new project.

One of the best motivational quotes I've come across in all the books and articles and weblog posts I've read on the subject, is this one from William Zinsser in his book On Writing Well:

Decide what you want to do. Then decide to do it. Then do it.

It doesn't get any more direct than that. And to start things off, I just now bought the domain name for the "Web 2.0" application to beat them all. Well, probably not. But I think it'll rock.

Updated: 4 January 2005

It seems like I've been coming across many excellent weblog posts and articles where freelancers have posted what they've learned in the process. Whether you are planning to do something like this or not, there are some handy tips in these.

About Going Solo & Steps to Becoming a Freelance Web Developer, by Garrett Dimon

It seems like everybody is or wants to be a freelance web developer. Of course, this makes sense because it enables such a glorious and carefree lifestyle. Rather, that's what everybody envisions.

Unfortunately, it's not as easy as creating a web site and cashing checks. There’s a lot more to running a business that isn't sexy or fun. Parts of owning your own business are downright boring, tedious, and expensive.

Full-time freelancing: 10 things learned in 180 days, by Cameron Moll

Thus, here are 10 things learned over the last 6 months. This topic has been exhausted elsewhere by many others, so I hope I've avoided duplicating what's already been said.

Small Biz 101: How to Get Started, by RyanC

Starting your own company is amazing. The freedom it offers is something you just can't have when working for someone else - no matter how high on the ladder you are. So why doesn't everyone bail out of their 9-to-5 and head for the green pastures of self-employment?

Do you have any tips for freelancing from abroad? at MediaBistro

Now, more than a year and a half into my Italian adventure, I can look back on my naive enthusiasm and-even if it stings-chuckle. Being an ex-pat writer requires just as much work, if not more, as making it happen back in the motherland. And I had it easy.

Is there an online service that can help me set up a new company (either as a GP or LLC) and get Federal and State Tax ID's quickly? at Ask MeFi

I was just awarded a consulting contract, and need to set up a company fairly quickly (in 2 weeks' time). Is anyone aware of a service for helping expedite this? It will be a sole proprietership, so I don't need anything fancy, just the right paper work, tax ID's and subsequently a bank account.

How to Start a Startup, by Paul Graham

You need three things to create a successful startup: to start with good people, to make something customers actually want, and to spend as little money as possible. Most startups that fail do it because they fail at one of these. A startup that does all three will probably succeed.

NEW: Cash Flow and No one starts with a masterpiece, by RyanC

In this article, I’d like to focus on something that I believe holds people back from starting their own company or launching a new product or service. What is this hurdle? It’s the belief that you have to know exactly what you’re doing from day #1.

NEW: Ten Rules for Web Startups, by Evan Williams

1: Be Narrow

Focus on the smallest possible problem you could solve that would potentially be useful. Most companies start out trying to do too many things, which makes life difficult and turns you into a me-too.

NEW: How to Make a Million Dollars, by Marshall Brain

And really, this decision to start a business gets us to a key part of our conversation. There are two mentalities at work in our economy today. Either you can be someone else's employee, or you can be the one who hires the employees. You can work for a business, or you can own a business of your own.

NEW: What Not to Do, by Mark Henricks

He came up with an informal list of "16 Mistakes Start-Ups Make"�since expanded to 17�that has been used in a Harvard Business School case study, has been cited in many publications, and has become a part of what he teaches budding entrepreneurs in his frequent university lectures.

NEW: Why Small Web Design Firms Should Think Big, by Andrew Neitlich

Either you're serious about growing your business, or you're not. Either you choose to approach marketing with 100% commitment and intensity, or you choose to approach it with a half-baked effort.

NEW: A Guide to Starting Your Business, by Chris Campbell

Making your own decisions. Doing something you love. Spending more time with the family. Participating in the American Dream. Starting a business is awesome. Paperwork. Legal fees. Invoices. More paperwork. Taxes. Starting a business sucks. The Particletree Team is about to incorporate its second business and have come to the conclusion that while everyone seems to be pretty good at giving sage advice about running a business, most fail to get to the specifics on starting one.