They were accepted, as after a lengthy delay they’d appear in the login boxes and the boot would continue.

Looking in the console for errors turned up this code:

Unable to open IOHIDSystem (e00002bd)

Which, while a clue to google with, isn’t much help.

There are lots of people with the same problem, but very few solutions, so I was pleased to get a hint when one of the search results mentioned an Epson connected by firewire.

I have an Epson scanner, that is connected by firewire, it was left on from the last time I used it, turns out it’s the culprit.

If the scanner is on when I boot the machine then I get the problem, scanner off, problem gone.

So my problem/solution appears to be related to firewire connected devices.

Hope this helps someone.

Sell more

Things you can do to get better at selling:

1. Plan your sales conversations in advance
2. Warm up, by reading about selling skills for 20-30 minutes a day
3. Schedule your first sales appointment early
4. Spend 75% of your time “prospecting” until you’re too busy with your clients
5. Make every minute count – work all day
6. Work lunchtimes – get six extra selling weeks per year
7. Listen to sales training, make driving time equal learning time
8. Have a trusted time management system and use it consistently
9. Upgrade your skills continuously
10. See more people
11. Concentrate on productive use of time

The most successful sales people will be doing all of the above, you choose your level of success when you choose which to leave out.

Here’s ten keys to success I wrote down from somewhere:

1. Love your work – become the best, commit to excellence, pay the price.
2. Decide exactly your goals – do not be discouraged, believe in yourself.
3. Plan every goal – do not give in to adversity, it’s not how far you fall, but how high you bounce.
4. Commit to lifelong learning – your mind is your most valuable asset.
5. Use your time wisely – always be asking “what is the most valuable use of my time?”
6. Follow the leaders – don’t follow the followers, ask the best people in your field.
7. Guard your integrity as a sacred thing – “To thine own self be true”.
8. Use your inborn creativity – “I’m a genius” – everybody can do something at genius level.
9. Treat everyone you meet as if they are the most important person in the world – “Do unto others…”
10. Work hard and you will succeed – Work smart, do it now, not later.

And finally, on how hard you need to work – an aeroplane needs full thrust to reach cruising altitude.  Be like an aeroplane – full throttle, maximum effort is the only way to reach your goals.

What we need, and what motivates us, in order from most basic upwards:

Survival

First we seek to ensure our basic physical needs – food and water.

Security

Then we’re looking for shelter from the elements so we’re warm and dry.

People

Once we’ve established that we have food water and somewhere safe to sleep, then we start looking towards other people and become social.

Pride

If we’re settled and have a group of friends, we then start to look for activities that enhance our self-esteem, we do things that make us feel proud.

Self Actualization

At the top of the pyramid, when all the other needs are taken care of we  are then able to look for the things that make us feel worthwhile. The activities that we can take part in freely, where we feel as if we’re “putting something back”.

Next time you’re trying to persuade someone to do something, think about where they might be in relation to the list above and start from there.

Of course, Mazlo probably got it wrong, sometimes human beings are beyond all understanding.

80% of the contribution to any result is generated by 20% of the effort expended.

This principle has since been applied to a lot of areas where it may not be true.

Don’t be a dreamer, be a goal-setter.

1. Must be state in the positive tense
2. It must start “I am….”
3. Must be in the present tense
4. Has to be specific and measurable
5. It must contain an -ing verb
6. It must contain a feeling word
7. It must be brief
8. It must be personal
9. It must e written down

Read your goals aloud daily.  (or more often!)

e.g.

I am writing one new blog post a week and loving every minute of it.