Time for another Friday afternoon best-of-the-web, where I filter out a bazillion things to bring you the coolest stuff I read and seen online this week. Enjoy…

• Family Guy Matrix Trailer – Epic, watch it and start your weekend with a smile
• Why leisure matters in a busy world - Interesting article about the importance of taking time off
• Twister bedsheets – No need for explanation here
• Become an expert with the power of deliberate practice – Steve Rubel applies greatness theory to the process of becoming an expert authority. Interesting read, especially for bloggers
• Why your loved ones want you to fail – Naomi reveals why those closest to you might not be your biggest supporters
• Are you talking to my generation? - James from MenWithPens writes a great column about writing to your readers
• How do I get a professionally designed blog? – Darren shares resources for blog design at all levels, from free to wordpress all-star.
• Understanding the value of ‘friends’ in social media websites – Maki shares his unique take on developing friends and followers across different social media hubs
• Research reveals new paths to productivity – Penelope shares 4 new ways to be more productive, not your standard getting things done list
• 10 misconceptions the self-employed deal with daily - Glen takes a look at the realities of working for yourself
• Women entrepreneurs just as successful, but less confident – Interesting research on women who start businesses
• Top 10 interesting facts about the brain – Very cool science-based facts about how the brain works
• Motherhood today: tougher challenges, less success – Two of every three women ages 50-64 say today’s mothers are doing a worse job as parents than mothers did 20 or 30 years ago
• The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart now America’s 4th ranked journalist – Interesting research behind blending of politics, journalism and humor
• One of the best intro’s in history – The Bloggess shares the story behind her riotous intro for Guy Kawasaki
• Cool pictures of all kinds of stuff people invented – Building on the Guy theme, the big K posts a ton of pictures of really cool/fun inventions and creations from the Maker Faire in San Mateo.
• Surprise findings about tech entrepreneurs – Tim Berry reveals highlights from new Kaufmann report, like twice as many US tech-entrepreneurs start companies in their 50s than their 20s.
• Breaking the glass – Seth shares a photo of a very cool thought-piece about taking life by the…
• Saying no – Chris Brogan write a compelling piece about the important of saying no to create more time for the stuff you really want to say yes to.
• Should you stop talking to prospects by phone? – Michel Fortin shares a provocative piece on eliminating phone calls for all but paying customers.
• The ultimate guide to a wildly sticky, successful and outstanding blog – Liz Strauss puts together a great compilation of tools, tips, techniques and articles.
• Thinking can ruin your life – interesting take on the paralysis of analysis
• Productivity vs ingenuity – Interesting take on getting things done versus getting things created.
• So, that should keep you guys busy over the weekend. Have fun!

It’s been a while since I’ve done a link-post, but there have been some really great articles I have been reading lately that I want to share for your weekend reading enjoyment.

This weeks Awake At The Links Collection includes:

• Marck Cuban’s rules for start-ups: My favorite two are – “1. Don’t start a company unless its an obsession and something you love. 2. If you have an exit strategy, its not an obsession.”
• 101 Resources For Online Entrepreneurs: Killer round-up of resources and links not only for online entrepreneurs, but anyone interested in getting more done faster.
• The Importance of Passion In Blogging: Wendy Piersall shares her insights into the role of passion in blogging and business in general.
• How To Make Time Time For Your Personal Goals: Lee shares 11 great tips for getting the most important stuff in your day done.
• Where Is The Value: Connections or Conversations?: Interesting discussion by social media maven, Muhammad Saleem, on how technology is evolving connecting and sharing.
• 7 Strategies for Dealing With Anxiety: PickTheBrain.com shares some strategies for dealing with an emotional state we all endure on some level.
• Dealing With A Career You Simply Hate: offers advice on areas to look at and things to consider when your job is killing you.
• Why We Shop: Getting A Grip On Consumerism: reveals interesting insights into some of the motivating factors behind shopping and buying.
• Extra Income Opportunity – Online Tutoring: Wisebread shares a novel approach to earning experience and money with your teaching skills online, along with some great resources.
• Managing Computer File Clutter: Unclutterer offers very useful tips to help organize and simplify all those electronic files cluttering up your screen real-estate.
• How Quitting My Job Saves Me $8,000 a Year: Trent over at TheSimpleDollar.com shares how quitting his job will actually allow him to make lifestyle changes that will net more money at the end of the year.
• How Mindful Are You?: Gretchen Rubin offers questions to explore mindfulness in your everyday life.
• GetFriday And The Cost Of Success: Tim Ferriss publishes a letter from the CEO of the virtual assistant company he mentioned in The Four Hour Workweek that reveals how the company was slammed by demand created by the book and shows how they’ve now responded.
• 11 Steps To Become Addicted To Running: Glen over at LifeDev.net offers great tips on developing a relationship with running that lasts a lifetime.
• Trading Hourly Rate For Task-Based Pay: Skellie offers critical considerations in choosing the best way to get paid for a gig.
• Itty-bitty Ikea-hacks: fun stuff to do with little, teeny things from Ikea
• Demand Better: Colin posts a compelling call-to-action to demand the best from yourself in the choices you make.
• How Not To Screw Up Your New Job: Brett offers a quick refresher on things to do and not do when starting at a new place.
• Make Your Resume Pop: ArtOfManliness.com offers tips and a few good writing resources to refresh your resume.
• 10 Questions Every Blogger Should Ask Themselves Before Posting: Good reminder to keep it focused on your readers.
• Safe Sippy Cups: For parents of younger kids who are concerned about toxins in plastic, here’s an interesting alternative.
• Spaceship For Sale For $3,500: Just for fun, for anyone looking to take a looooooong trip this weekend, consider this ultimate travel vehicle.

Let me know what you think…

And, please fee free to e-mail me any other links related to lifestyles, careers or entrepreneurship you’d like me to consider to future Awake At The Links posts.

Welcome to the October 16, 2007 edition of the Career-Change Carnival. A blog carnival is a collection of articles from around the blogosphere that focus on a specific topic. It is published on a regular basis, rotating among different blogs with each publication.

The focus of this carnival is career-change. The links that follow have been submitted from all over the world and touch on various aspects of career-evolution, freelancing and even a bit of entrepreneurship. Some are very mainstream and others will challenge your notion of the envelope. So, take a look and see what resonates with you. Enjoy!

Tupelo Kenyon presents Work– Just a Job or Visible Love? posted at Tupelo Kenyon, saying, “Do you love what you do and do what you love? Here’s a step-by-step method on how to put your passions to work and start living the life you were born to live. (Enjoy soothing instrumental music as you read plus songs with lyrics related to each article – all free.)”

edithyeung presents 12 Things You Must Do After You Quit Your Job posted at Edith Yeung.Com: Dream. Think. Act..

Tezza presents How To Build A Successful Business The Warren Buffett Way posted at 4 Eva Young, saying, “Men like Warren Buffett don’t just stumble onto the world’s rich list year after year and not know a thing or two about how to run a very successful business. Buffett is more than just one of the greatest investor’s of all time, just like McDonald’s is not just in the burger business, but also in the real estate business considering their immense portfolio of prime real estate around the world.”

David B. Bohl presents Is Going Solo a Career Option for You? posted at Slow Down Fast Today!, saying, “If you’re thinking about going solo, either as a freelancer or consultant, or as a business owner in some other type of business, that’s great! I really believe there is a lot to be said for owning your own business and running your own show. However, I would caution you that things are not always black and white.”

viju presents Choosing Software Testing as your Career posted at softwaretestinghelp.com, saying, “Should I select software testing as my career? How to switch to software testing from other job experience? If you are willing to choose software testing as your career then this is a must read!”

Joy Miller presents Online MBA – Top 25 Best Buys posted at Online College Blog, saying, “Online MBA – Top 25 Best Buys: Find out which Online MBA programs have the lowest tuition costs.”

David Kam presents A Generous Leader, A Great Figure posted at MarketingDeviant.com.

Steve Faber presents - Career Highlight – Investment Banking posted at DebtBlog.

The Career Counselor presents Nifty Tech Tips and Tricks for the Modern Job Seeker posted at ask the CareerCounselor.

The Career Counselor presents How To Recognize and Remedy Job Burnout posted at ask the CareerCounselor.

Alvaro Fernandez presents 10 Highlights from the 2007 Aspen Health Forum posted at SharpBrains, saying, “Before you decide on a career change, check out this overview of the Health and Science trends discussed in this recent policy event.”

artThailand presents Genesis of a gallery. Genesis of a life. posted at artThailand.

Leon Gettler presents Accounting’s glass ceiling posted at Sox First, saying, “The good news is that over the last decade, more than 50 per cent of accounting graduates have been female. The bad news is that they are not moving into senior level position at the same rate as their male counterparts. Fewer are aiming for partnership as they try to balance family and careers.”

Corinne Edwards presents LOOKING FOR A JOB? posted at Personal Growth with Corinne Edwards, saying, “There is a big difference between looking for a job if you are unemployed or looking for a new job! Here are tips on how to do both including the important resume, cover letter and instructions on interviews.”

Brandy Shaffels presents Getting to Know Susan Docherty, General Motors Western Region General Manager posted at Ask Patty – Automotive Advice for Women.

Edith presents Career Ideas You Must Think About You Worth More Than Your Job posted at Edith Yeung.Com: Dream. Think. Act..

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of career-change carnival using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

Technorati tags: career-change carnival, blog carnival.

Weekly round-up of must-read articles, videos, pictures and more on careers, marketing, small-biz and better-living from around the web this week:

• First rule of career-planning…don’t do it! - Marc Andreesen had a very thought-provoking post about the notion of planning your career and taking risk. Interesting ideas, though, he is the first to tell you, they are not necessarily good advice for those looking to cultivate work-life balance.
• Why you should never work for or with Assholes – Bestselling author of THe No Asshole Rule, Bob Sutton, has a great article on the potentially awful impact on an entire organization when a bad client is taken on.
• On the potential upside of blending work and pleasure – NY Times writer (and my friend), Marci Alboher shares great insights on how to blend what you love into how you earn your living.
• Is it a habit or a task? – Leo, over at Zen Habits, has a great post on handling tasks and habits to increase productivity and get more done.
• A look at Anti-Marketing in the Music Industry – Maki put up a great post on the band Radiohead’s announcement that they will be releasing their new album on thir website on a donation basis and how this marketing and distribution model is about to make waves far beyond the music world.
• How accurate are business plans? – Guy Kawasaki put up a fascinating expose that revealed the start-up projections and actual expenses from Redfin’s Glenn Kelman two years out. Very eye-opening for those in the planning stages.