_{The Starks | Image Source: We Know Awesome - Unknown}

No, we're not gonna talk about Iron Man nor Game of Thrones characters (however awesome those fictional personas may be). We're going to talk about the big difference between being a successful Steemian and a mediocre one today

Let Me Tell You My Story

I was introduced to this platform by my former boss @dreamiely. It happened when she shared a post in Facebook about Bitcoin. I was already a Bitcoin enthusiast by that time and have been earning constantly for months by using Bitcoin faucets, answering surveys, playing games, etc. I added a comment on her post saying that it seems that BTC is going up so it's best to hold it for good (BTC was less than $1000 by that time - I should've held my BTCs!!!) - she acknowledged my comment and she shared her personal knowledge in the world of cryptocurrency via Messenger.

She has already been investing a lot (at least to my perspective) into multiple ICOs (Intiial Coin Offerings) and has been getting good gains for it. I was pretty amazed (no wonder she was my boss).

Then, she also introduced Steem to be later on. She explained how the cryptocurrency works in a nutshell. I didn't need too much explanation for it. She got me when she mentioned money. Haha.

Here's the first point:

Patience equates to success. Doing the opposite is mediocrity.

I waited around 10 days for my account to be approved. I didn't question the process - I figured there was a queue and creating accounts may be limited. It does say BETA on the site itself. So, I waited - patiently - pre-occupying myself with other works. Diverting my attention away from the wallets and posts I'm seeing that earns more than I do (because I don't have an account yet!).

_{Waiting for my turn | Image Source: Drunktiki}

Then, I got the email (at last!) saying that my registration has been approved and they're giving me my password. So, I started my oh so amazing journey as a Steemian! Not!

Second point:

Persistence and perseverance should eventually give you success. Giving up, obviously, doesn't.

_{Persevere even when you're at the limit. | Image Source: Animages}

I didn't earn anything in the first few days. I made a wonderful tutorial for setting up VPN on mobile. I posted my best artworks - tons of them. There are realistic portraits & amazing drawings. The highest I got was $0.00. What an over-achiever, I say!

Turns out there are 7 days (minus 12 hours) for posts to earn. So I did get earning! Hello dollars, fractions of it. Which is actually good - better than the likes I'm getting in Facebook - cause that's not worth anything of monetary value (not even real recognition most of the time). But is this what I want, cents? Of course not. So I didn’t stop.
I did Steemit more than 12 hrs a day – at home and in the office. Trying to find my place and stuff like that – and within my first month I was able to get a decent amount of cash (more than a minimum wage earner’s monthly compensation) all because of how I contributed into the community. It seems to get something out of Steemit you need put a lot into it as well.

Third point:

Successful people work in packs. Being a lone wolves isn't the way to do it.

_{A fearsome Wolf Pack to be with. | Image Source: Pinterest}

Lone wolves also die of mediocrity (unless they're extremely rich - then they only die of loneliness). I was only able to earn here because I had friends that helped me out.

Shout out to @dreamiely for the support and for introducing me to @minnowsupport head by @aggroed where I met good friends and family. Without them I'm just a lone wolf with no one as audience.

Engagement is the key - if you do not engage other Steemians you won't get their attention. Without their attention you won't get support (resteems and upvotes). There are lots of communities inside Steemit that will really help you grow. I've learned how to grow my circle organically. That's why I'm part of multiple families, communities, and groups. Right now I'm with @steemph, @curie, & @bayanihan. If I had more available time in my hands I will strive for more.

Fourth Point:

Organic growth is important for success. Manipulation and begging don't go far.

Don't be a GMO, @bearone doesn't like those. Be organic. Be yourself. As Terry @surpassinggoogle said "be the best YOU".

_{Evolution is Growth! | Image Source: FungYung}

So, what does it mean to be organic? Simply, do everything else by heart - naturally. If you're going to post then post knowledgeably . If you're going to comment - do it sincerely. If you're going to resteem - do it efficiently. There are things you need to avoid - like manipulating people and begging. Those 2 are nasty things. Manipulating people into believing your flowerful but fake words. Begging for upvotes and resteems or follows - that's spam my friend.

Organic means true and honest. Organic means quality and of high value. That's what Steemians need to strive for.

Fifth Point:

Successful people make quality posts. Mediocre ones get zeroes.

Have you seen what the whales post? Have you gone through the trending page recently. In general, they are getting a lot - not just because they have the wallet and the support - they provide value and they post only those of high quality (most of them). Not all their posts are of value? Think of compound interest - they have built their accounts overtime - starting from scratch and they had time to grow. I'm sure they didn't earn a lot when they started. Why are they earning a lot now?

_{Quote | Image Source: Pinterest}

It's a fair exchange, much like Alchemy rules (from Full Metal Alchemist lol). Provide quality and get rewarded for it.

Learn Quality with Curation:

As a curator in @curie I've been hunting posts of high value only and I've been training myself to know what are the highest standards for curation so that I can apply it on my own posts. As a @bayanihan curator, I learn how to sort out posts that didn't contain enough effort and possibly plagiarized before I upvote and resteem it - and I avoid providing the same quality on my own posts.

Learn Quality through Accepting Criticism

When you make a post, you will surely get tons of good comments from people saying they appreciate your work and have enjoyed reading your blog, etc. There are some though that will correct you and provide negative input on your writings - which proves very helpful especially if it's constructive and properly worded and is not offensive. If ever you came across someone who gave you suggestions of 'dos' and 'don'ts', tell them you appreciate it, tell them thank you for helping your grow.

Learn Quality through Reading

Read other Steemit posts: the whales', the big guy's, the communities', the little guys' - so long as it's of good quality - read it. Don't limit yourself on searching in the website alone - go outside - see the whole world wide web - ideas are running amock everywhere. All you have to do is catch them. Go outside the online space - grab a book, a magazine, a newspaper, even a comicbook or a manga. Reading will help expand your vocabulary and understanding. This will improve lots of aspects of your blogging and it helps in the long run.

Learn Quality by Being Honest

Never plagiarize. Never do copy-paste post - I don't care if it's not detected by @cheetah or if @originalworks didn't find your reference/source. No matter how much you rephrase other people's ideas and words - it's still their brainchild - their work, you're still plagiarizing them. Make your own mind bleed with thoughts and use them to paint things in your articles. You have a mind superior of others however you look at it - use it wisely. Be honest about it. Never steal. It's worthy of a Steemit death (see reputation zero).

Learn Quality by Learning from Your Mistakes

None of us are perfect - not even good, to begin with. We all had a starting point and we all made mistakes. It doesn't matter. See your mistakes as stepping stones of learning and use them to your advantage. Deal with them, not just shrug them. If you need to improve on something, try making it first, see where you went wrong - get good advise for it - then make the best out of it.

Sixth Point:

Enjoy your time here even if you're successful or not. Just don't settle for mediocrity.

_{Image Source: Giphy}

Always enjoy your time here - making posts, making friends, making money. Do not look at your wallets first. I think that's the hierarchy you need to follow: Your Posts > Friends/Community > Earnings/Money. As long as you make sure you do good on your posts, you will always get support from your friends, followers and the community; the rewards will follow naturally.

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I hope you learned something from what I wrote.

All images used above are properly sourced. All ideas and text parts are originals of mine. Thanks for reading!

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Maraming Salamat!

Thank you so much!