Engagement is the key to changing the mindset, I firmly believe that. It is also key to growing your own SP, your Reputation growth may slow down, but then what does a person's REP number really mean any more?
I don't know why the SP for me started to grow so quickly over the last 3 months, but it has and most of what I do is just go and vote and comment on new users good content. I participate in three groups, and I have Four, (well lately down to two) early adopters post that I read on a daily basis.
My REP is only up 1.6 From Dec. 31st, yet my SP has increased almost 4 fold. So trying to help people get a leg up on steemit for me has helped me. Go figure, being nice on steemit actually does pay.