As Stacie D (@freedomtowrite) and I embarked on our day we had a great conversation about handling disappointment on the blockchain. This might sound like something negative, but we don't think it is....
Truth
We all read alot of posts that do not seem to be amazing, but they have many people upvoting and commenting it. Not that there would be anything wrong with this, but we all know that this wasn't the persons best post, but it is still doing amazing. Is it disappointing to see that the very tool that has been built into the blockchain to steer the whole ship is being used up trying to get a 'follow for follow' or 'vote for vote'. It is up for each of us to decide our own actions, but can we be honest with ourselves when we feel disappointed at others actions.
Observe
What about the time that you checked out someones blog and saw that all of their posts were doing really great and their account is growing exponentially, just to see that it was bot driven. The idea that they have started after you, but are now cruising toward minnow or dolphin. Do we get disappointed because the inflation was artificial, or maybe because we haven't learned to do the same thing.
For Us
As we were talking today about all of this, it sort of came to light. We both had posts that we thought were good ones that didn't really take off, or were slow starters. We had also recieved some negative comments. It was clear that we both had very high expectations for our content and others.
As we were working through these ideas it was pretty clear what to do. How do we handle this disappointment. How do we handle negative comments. How do we handle an unproductive day......
Do Nothing
That's right. Do nothing. I hope to encourage you all to not get caught up on negativity or disappointment. The expectations that we set are our own. It is for each one of us choose to be positive and carry on. If we focus too much on the day, or the poor post, we won't be ready for tomorrow.
When we focus on the negative aspects of a situation it often builds disappointment. This can spread like a disease and begin to over shadow an entire situation.
As we all move forward as content creators we have to remember the opportunity that we have. We are free to get online and share our creations and be rewarded for it. We have a chance to share our blogs, stories, videos, general skills and lives with each other.
The blockchain is an amazing place. There are many ways to get onto the blockchain and we all have a different way that we like most. If we choose what we want to share and then do it, we must like it or we wouldn't share it at all. We can not get caught up on the idea of pleasing everyone.
We should love ourselves, love our creations, and love our opportunities. I hope this perspective finds you well!
~The Yeti 🙃
I think that a lot of people that joined the same time I did have now left the platform because of that reason. I took a break for a little bit to get my thoughts in order and not get discouraged over all of the bots. I do not have a problem with people buying votes but it seems that most of the content on Steemit, not all but a lot, has great post payouts because there is no natural voting happening it is bought votes. Most of my posts are no more than about 2 or 3 dollars. Most of the time, not even that. I know it will get better or at least I hope it will get better. Steem On!
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I think we'll see better curation tools as more and more people complain about this. No reason guilds and communities won't continue to form...and grow...which should increase steem's robustness.
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Resteeming because this post and the comments are so encouraging! Thank you!!
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I have definitely struggled to fight off the disappointment and need to judge myself based on other profiles. I find so much more happiness when I approach this as a creative outlet and therapeutic tool for the soul. Thanks for the great advice about doing nothing and not getting caught up in the competitive nature that comes with #steemit sometimes.
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Yeah! It is social media, it is a game, it is a creative outlet. We can't get too caught up and emotional about it all. It would wreck our physical life haha
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True story! I started out looking for a place to blog. That’s it. Getting paid is a benefit, and it was unexpected. As much as I love learning from and connecting with others in the community, my goal was to blog, and I’m bloggin’! I have to play enough games in ‘real life’ every day, I don’t have the energy to play games on Steemit in order to get ahead. I think I’ll continue to grow here while I’m just doin’ me. And please, you guys keep doin’ you! You’re just so good at it! :)
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Yes! We will keep doing us. We started as a better option that facebook, then it was making some money, now it is a great place for a creative outlet. We don't play the game, but we may use available tools to win the internet! Haha
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The game I was thinking of is getting involved in all the negativity and discouragement. I can never win that game! But using what's available to win, heck yes!
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I have always believed that people tend to look over the fence and the grass is always greener on your neighbour's septic tank. (apologies to Erma Bombeck) I just keep my nose to the grindstone and try to ignore all the negativity. You can find plenty of that without looking too hard or too far. I personally, don't need all that drama in my life. Just ignore it and work on your own creativity. You'll feel better.
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Yep, I agree. Just do what we do everyday and keep on!
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It is definitely disappointing when you think a post should be a hit but it flops. On the flip side I have had posts I didn't think were that great do really well.
As for the bot voting, I think that for awhile it was very profitable but as more and more people are doing it it has become more competitive and in many cases is no longer profitable. Now the only people who are doing really well with the paid upvotes are the bots themselves.
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I agree. I still say to each their own. I love it everyday! I think as we all push on it will be worth it!
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I agree.
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I totally agree with your statements! We must be able to accept ourselves for who we are and if others don't like it who cares! Everyone has a story and people who enjoy that story will stay around and give us the encouragement! @freedompoint great topic that you covered here and keep it up and don't let others with all the bot votes and people who follow for a follow or vote for a vote get you down! We must just accept ourselves for who we are and if someone doesn't like thats their problem!
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Thank you for the encouraging words. It's definitely hitting me not to get discouraged by bots or people who aren't posting original content. This definitely keeps me motivated - thank you so much!!!
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Thanks @tomtomcorley! I am glad this helps. Don't be discouraged. The blockchain is a beautiful thing. We have the chance to straight up mine Steem or mine Steem socially. It is hard to not get caught up on what others do, but we shouldn't....we might end up quitting.
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I totally agree and also feel this is good advice for everything in your life. Don't be quick to jump to emotions and don't your your emotions cloud your better judgment and bring you down. You need to stay in control.
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Yeah! It is important to press on without getting stuck in what may have already happened.
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“We both had posts that we thought were good ones that didn't really take off, or were slow starters.”
Yup, I know that feeling. There are some posts where I’m all exciting thinking everyone is going to love it, and not much happens. Then there’s those posts where I almost didn’t even write because I figured why bother, only to have them take off! Crazy.
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Yeah, right. It happens to us all. We need to not get caught up on the little things. We need to keep pushing on!
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I believe if you come her to fill your pockets you will be disappointed. I have no expectations at all. I just write, and do what I think is interesting not even thinking about any benefit other than storing my post and keep it there to work it out later, https://steemit.com/steemit/@stranded/hi-expectations I have no expectations so I can never be dissapointed.
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I focus a lot on the fact that steem is much more capable than the little blogging platform it seems to be right now.
There are so many ways to leverage the unique system we have here.
Keep up the good fight.
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Right! I wonder what it will grow into. I love the current blogging site because it gives us the ability to acquire Steem. What do you think it might become?
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I think it will retain the blog platform capability but it will grow far beyond that.
There are a lot of people developing on top of this blockchain. I can imagine a steem comments plug in (similar to disqus), to promote better quality comments, more apps like SteemPress that integrate into WordPress and existing sites more easily.
Curation is a big deal for many right now, but I think that will get fixed soon enough...maybe not ON steemit.com but via 3rd party apps and services.
There's so much to do here, and there are many economic incentives. It's a complex ecosystem that will take years to understand.
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I am sure happy to be along for the ride!
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It has been frustrating at times, so thanks for the encouraging words! I'm just staying the course and trying not to get too caught up with it all!
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Yeah! Just do! If we just focus on doing what we do and not get too emotionally caught up, we can only win.
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I really appreciate this post. As a newbie to Steemit I am amazed at the amount of time it takes to put together what I think is a good post....but others don't. Patience and fellow Steemians like you push us on! Thank you, look forward to your next post!
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Thank you! I try to be as optimistic as possible. We can't get caught up on the little stuff. It is very hard to be noticed as a smaller fish. There are a couple of things we can do....make posts we enjoy and have fun and share with everyone...or try to construct the perfect post that might be whale bait and spring board us forward. That is for each of us to decide. For me. It had to be fun or it isn't worth it. Be well!
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I like that - sometimes the BEST thing we can do is to do nothing.
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Hey @mackmck! Yes!
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@freedompoint, I really appreciate your honesty. It is hard not to get disappointed sometimes.
I have tried so many different things with a variety of results. Sometimes I do something and find success and then later feel that I was looking for success in all the wrong places.
Blessings to you and @freedomtowrite as you pursue a path this is meaningful and full of integrity.
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Yeah. It is about doing for ourselves and enjoying what we do.
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In summary, bots and 'influential' members are gravelly abusing the blockchain.
I've raised awareness about this issue many time. If these menace aren't curb in time, it'll hurt Steemit in the long run.
Quality contents need to be appreciated and promoted not shitty post from people with fat wallets.
Well, we do often comment to take a lick from the fat wallets though.
Thank you @freedompoint and you may support my #Humanity campaign too. I wrote a post on that few days ago. 💚
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Yeah, when it comes to bots or influencial accounts....i don't get involved with what others do. I try not to be a hall monitor. I try to produce what I feel and not worry about the outcome either way. I try to be the change I hope to see. Be well.
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It is a good outlook to have.
I still consider myself new here. I'm learning and growing.
I'm gonna step on my own feet at times, I usually do. But I'm gonna try and focus on what I can do to improve and try not to compare myself to others or others writing style.
I'll going to keep pushing on and hopefully I can contribute to the community more as I grow.
It is good not to let envy take hold and steer you towards darkness.
Keep the goodness. Keep your light shining.
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Well said! Thank you.
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You think honestly and got upvote.People are liking your post and then they upvoting you.You are discussing together.That is good work. Go ahead.
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Woo-hoo thanks for that! I have felt the disappointment that was set up by my expectations. I sat with it, laughed at myself and moved on. Thanks again for the motivating words. I'm going to paint....
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Yes! Be motivated! Be you and have fun. Be well!
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