If you're about to give up on steemit, let me offer a different perspective through an analogy. It's a personal experience, that way I can give you visual evidence of progress. (and show off a little)
Almost 2 years ago, I decided that I wanted do the cool arm balances and inversions the cool kids were doing.
So I got on the floor, set up my arms like my teacher told me to and then dumped my weight on them. And I was incredibly surprised at my lack of success. I felt like a sack of potatoes.
Incidentally, that is exactly how I felt my first week on steemit!
What did I do? I accepted my status as a beginner. So I continued taking classes, slowly getting stronger in my core, in my arms, working on trusting myself and ignoring my ego when I fell on my face.
One day I was able to lift my legs enough to change my center of gravity. And I was so excited I took a picture and bombarded my friends on social media. And I kept it up. Marveling at every little achievement, asking questions to my teachers, learning from others instead of comparing myself.
And one day boom! My legs floated so high I think I giggled for 5 minutes straight!
And it only took a year!
Similarly on Steemit, there is a lot of "behind the courtains" work to be done before we see rewards.
I showed one of my Steemit posts to a friend and she was surprised that "only members can vote"
Well, yes. Maybe as newbies we haven't yet realized that community is what backs up this project. And think about it, in your communities you don't just show up and call the shots. You get to know people, you earn their trust, you bring something that adds value to the relationship, and then one day you realize how happy it makes you to contribute to something that provides you happiness, security and safety. (or whatever your community provides for you)
So, with that in mind, here are 3 habits I learned are absolutely basic if you want to succeed at anything:
Patience Remember when people would tell you to enjoy Highschool because you'd never get those days back? Same thing. Progress has stages, and you can enjoy every single one of them. You'll get to the next stage with:
Consistency Most of us had a dusty guitar we would pick up once in a blue moon and get irritated that still couldn't play that Slash solo.... Be consistent! Create a habit! Every day, or twice a week, whatever works for you. Devote a slot of time to work on developing your skill, writing a post, reading blogs, making noise.
Networking Find a mentor, or two! Ask questions, create a relationship, initiate conversation, how do you get to know your friends? Talk talk talk! share your common interests, listen to understand and talk to offer your perspective.
Well, I am taking my own advice, and I would love to hear what else you think is helpful!
Bottom line...
There is no instant gratification, if you want to have a shot at success.... Britney says it best,
I like to tell people they might not make that much in the beginning, but it's more than they're making on Facebook! Good post!
that picture is priceless. actually i don't think you realized that the 2016 pose is the really impressive one. You somehow achieved the elusive "desk frog" position. Little known fact - only three people in the world can do it. and a lot of frogs.
DED LOL
I'm completely serious. Where's @cornholio he's got my back
I trained for years with the Great Frog. Living in a pond... eating flies... dodging the attacks of cranes and snakes.... It wasn't easy....
I remember hearing tales of the Great Frog when I was just a tadpole. Respect.
Well, that makes sense. After all I cannot comment on FB or other platform unless I'm a member, why would this be any different?
But generally I completely agree with what you're saying. It's a matter of keep going and, as you say, be consistent.
A few extra thoughts;
Don't get upset of frustrated. This will show in your writing and will not help you.
Take your time, enjoy what you're doing and what others are doing and grow, grow, grow!!!!
Absolutely!!! Thank you for those tips. Definitely making relevant comments that show you were genuinely interested in the article will start a chain reaction and that's how you develop a relationship. "vote for vote" won't get you anywhere. I originally had added a 4th habit Compassion - Don't judge yourself to hard and don't determine your value based on the amount of upvotes or money your post makes. When you giver yourself space and permission to write freely, sparks of your personality will show, and that will be what gives your posts life and what will aid you in finding your voice and keep you going.
I just had to follow ya because this posts is awesome Been here 3 months and I've seen so many people already quit, it's a shame but I guess thats what "average" people do lol
Excellent. The yoga analogy is perfect. We're stretching our creative and social muscles a little more each day and eventually we're twisting ourselves into a pretzel and loving every minute of it. I also like the Chinese concept of Gong Fu ("Kung Fu") which simply means "discipline/skill achieved through consistent and serious practice" --> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kung_fu_(term) As yogis and Gong Fu masters, we have a head-start on SteemIt...
Very nice @val.halla ! Some of was need to be motivated here as the road to success is not that easy.
You seem to have it all figured out. Keep working at it and you will build your community. And by the way that desk stand is insane!
Darryl (@dadview) resides in Canada. He is an active member of steemparents and #teamcanada
Check out one of my Latest Blogs
Good job on this post. I hope many new steemians will read it and get some insights from your experience. I believe that we should stay and be active to be making some progress. @OriginalWorks
@OriginalWorks Mention Bot activated by @raserrano. The @OriginalWorks bot has determined this post by @val.halla to be original material and upvoted it!
To call @OriginalWorks, simply reply to any post with @originalworks or !originalworks in your message!
For more information, Click Here!
LOVE THIS ARTICLE!!!
Having joined Steemit only a few weeks ago, I welcome the perspective you offer.
And as a communication consultant and speaker, I commend you for the captivating before-and-after photos that confirmed your progress in a new, demanding exercise. Persuasive visual aids!
The Britney close. . .unfortgettable.
Thanks for the encouragement and your creativity.
Thank you so much for your feedback! It made me very happy :) Good luck to you!
As the saying goes. . .
the harder I work, the luckier I get.
This post recieved a vote from @minnowpond. For more information click https://steemit.com/steemit/@minnowpond/boost-your-rewards-with-minnowpond
you got it girl!
Great advice and post. You’ve come a long way in your Yoga an inspiration, thanks :)
supergirl = O
Congratulations, I still reach this level XD
In The Waterboy's most famous line:
"You can dooooo it!!"
Yup, like anything else, it actually takes some hard work to reap the benefits. Great message! Keep grinding, girl!
*grinding!
This post received a 2% upvote from @randowhale thanks to @saywha! For more information, click here!
All 3 of those habits are why you WILL be successful here and also why many wont... Simply because the lack them.
Great post..
laughed good at your pictures :) Just do it :)
whew well that's a relief! Thanks for that :)
great face in that first photo too.
hahaha my confused face... thnx for your comments
soo true! keep going I will do the same down here in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico (on Steemit I mean ;)
My first day on here today and thanks for your Steem tips. No matter how easy or hard it will be on here. You have just got to remember there`s more than one path to the top of the Steemit mountain!