A good article: On the Design of Application Protocols. I particularly liked:
You can Solve Any Problem...Sort of similar to what a calculus instructor once said: "go from the known to the unknown." Which, when I can remember it, is a great way to get through seemingly insurmountable problems or challenges. Do a little bit, something you know is possible. Allow yourself small victories while you circle and slowly nip away at the bigger problem.
...if you're willing to make the problem small enough