$UCCESS ON STEEMIT REQUIRES YOU ACT LIKE A TRAIN!
When you first signed up for Steemit you were a one person, do-it-all train. You'll notice on the hand pumped railcar pictured above there are opposing handles. In other words the car was meant for two people. Not so on Steemit. You get the great satisfaction of moving this baby by yourself.
I've always thought the levels of accomplishment here on Steemit were rather fishy. It would be more appropriate to designate people as various levels of trains. (Sometimes I've felt like the caboose). The hand pumped railcar is ideal for beginners in that you work your ass off, no one is around to cheer you on (usually) and you don't go anywhere very fast. And after a few days of this kind of exercise you want to say, "Oh, hell no!". But since you are reading this you most likely have made it past the handcar stage. If not, then all I can say is: Bwah ha ha ha ha!
I didn't just write that did I? Actually I didn't mean it that way. Let me try that again: BWAH HA HA HA HA! There that's better. But really, we've all been through it. Hang in there. You can do it. Really. It's just part of life, part of paying your dues. If it was easy, then well... it wouldn't be worth it. Hang in there. It get's better.
Wow! The Little Engine That Could. What a great story. " I think I can. I think I can. I think I can." Yes, that's the spirit. You'll notice, however, that this little engine has no cars. Yep. No one is riding behind you. You are still pretty much by yourself. And in the little kids book the train is going up hill. That's what it's like isn't it? But you begin to think, "I think I can. I think I can." And you can! In the beginning you just have to write like crazy, and NO SPAM, and you'll get there. And if you need help, well there are lots of people out there willing to assist.
Minnow schools. I mean really who came up with this fish thing? And then you discover you're not even a minnow. Your a plankton. Jeeeze! A plankton. A redfish. Isn't that what Whales eat for breakfast? Maybe that is where the term comes from. But really sign yourself up for school or tutoring. Get some guidance. Your little engine has to stay on track. That's the only way it will get anywhere. Follow the track. Try to go out on your own and see what happens. Derailed. That's what happens.
Trust me, if you are willing and capable of working diligently and hard you'll make it. I THINK YOU CAN!
You might think this is an motivational post. Well it is and it isn't. Mostly, I just wanted to use this picture. It is of the V & T Railroad. This baby goes by my house during the summer months every day. It's a tourist attraction. The train goes from the east end of Carson City up to Virginia City past all the gold and silver mines that once were, and a couple of active ones too. This is a pretty cool railroad. I go out there and moon them as they pass by. That's what they pay the big money for. Quite the attraction!
Nah! Not really, but the thought has crossed my mind. I live less than a mile away from the tracks so it would be easy to do. But no, not me. Oh, and I thought I'd put up this pic of the moon. Much more attractive than the one I joke about!
Anyway back to trains... You'll notice the train has cars now. People are following along. Not many but some. Thats a good thing. And they pay too. With upvotes. Yes. now you're getting rich. You might make ten cents or even a dollar! Baby! You're on your way! Here's the thing: these old trains were not the fastest or most efficient. They required lots of fuel and energy to make Steem. The fuel tender...the guy who shoveled coal into the Steem engine, had to work his butt off to keep it going. You will too. Don't slow down. You have to build up Steem. You'll notice too that the engineer has a better view now. He's always poking his head out the side window looking down the tracks. Hey! This trains going somewhere. Not very fast but it's going. Hang in there. Don't quit now. You're on your way!
Look at all that Steem you are making!
I mean cripes, look at me writing posts about trains and tourists. If I can do it you can too!
Look at that baby! Not quite modern but getting there. And look at the cars. There are hundreds of people in those cars. All following you. Now most of those folks are asleep and don't know what the hell the engineer (you) is doing but they are still following and that's a good thing. It makes you feel better. You're making progress. And it's true you are. But that first car, up front? Yeah, baby thats the car with people in it that actually are paying attention. Now as the engineer, conductor and coal tender you still have lots of work to do, but now there is one thing that is really important. YOU must go back and visit with the people in the first car and tell them how happy you are they are along for the ride. You must comment on their obviously superior intelligence for following you. And make sure you visit their trains and take a ride and comment and upvote and cheer them on. Everyone loves enthusiastic passengers.
At this point it's not just about your train. You truly must invest time and effort in riding others trains. That's what it's all about: you ride my train and I'll ride yours.
Another important thing you must do is act like you know where you are going. Even if you don't. People like to follow someone who knows where they are going. They like to be part of that energy pushing forward. Actually it is a pretty good idea to know where you are going. You're going forward, you're picking up Steem, you are working hard. You are loving your passengers.
You must not pay attention to people who say, "It can't be done" or, "The price of Steem is going down. You'll never make it." Tell those people to take a flying leap off the next bridge. It can be done. I know. Just look at my payout on this post. Why, I bet it will be over $10.00. Heck at this rate I'll be getting a new train soon. Yeah!
Oh, and did you notice the big head lamp on that train? This train is able to work when things seem the darkest. Yes, you can bet your bippy there will be dark times. You'll get discouraged. You'll need a bright lamp to allow you to have vision. What's illuminated by the lamp? Others who have gone down the tracks before you telling you to keep coming, keep working, keep commenting, keep posting, keep talking to your passengers.
What's this? A distraction. Yes she is. Notice she is standing on the tracks? You have to slow your train down don't you? So don't get distracted. Sure you'll have days when you just need to take a break. Thats OK, but for goodness sakes don't be totally distracted for very long. You'll loose momentum and it's no fun trying to get Steem back up. If you do stall out you'll discover many of those on your train have picked a better ride and are moving on. If you need to take a break, or if you have other obligations you can tell your followers. They'll understand. We're all humans here. Just try not to be gone too long. 
Didn't want the ladies to think only men get distracted. This is a picture of me. (Yeah, I wish!).
This is a picture of me. MIster Mercury. Well...one day maybe.
Oh yeah. Now we're talking. Maglev trains. These babies really move. This is what we want. I'm telling you the key to getting one of these beauties is within you. You'll need to find what it is that you have to offer Steemit. Some people specialize in technology, others might focus on the intricacies of investing in cryptocurrencies. Some are incredibly helpful and supportive and work tirelessly to help others. Some are just great leaders people like to follow. What about you? What is it you can offer fellow Steemians? Bring your best to us.
Now let's suppose you don't have a special talent or gift you can share, and you are not a great leader either. Does this mean you are never going to get a Maglev Train? No, it does not. What you can offer is your care, your support, your enthusiasm, your sincere comments. You can offer your heart. Your love. You can bring us your authenticity, your vision for Steemit. There is so much you can offer. Please bring it to us.
Let's be realistic for a moment. Not everyone will get a Maglev. That's just the facts of life. Let me share something with you that I sincerely believe is the truth. It is not the destination that is important in life, it is the journey. What you learn, what you become as a person, the challenges you face and overcome, or not, these are the important things. Yes, trust me on this. The character you develop, your authenticity and honesty and compassion, your sweet humble heart...these are far more important than any Maglev Train. Sure, we all want the Train. But frankly, that may not be your path, or mine. And yet, isn't Steemit wonderful? Here we get to practice being our best. It's a magnificent opportunity for growth.
This one thing I know: you are precious. Yes, you. I sincerely wish you the best here on Steemit. I hope you have a great journey.
May you be at peace. May you be filled with love.
Mister Mercury
Well, you did it. I thought you might be joshing, but no, you wrote the train analogy post. And it works, too. From the rail car to the Maglev train. I'm wondering what happens to those of us who still have the rail car but it somehow gets hitched up to followers, while we're going uphill, muttering, "I think I can, I think I can."
I'm expecting the push by gravity on the other side of the mountain to be tremendous enough so I can get to the next town and trade in my rail car for a slightly used AMTRAK engine. :)
You were fast last night. I was really tired. Finished the post and put it up without any final editing. Went to bed and couldn't stand it. So had to get back up and rewrite a few things. A little better now. I think. Anyway... there you were doing your mega-commenting. Can't wait until you are a whale though then you can upvote me with those $100 votes. I think you can. I think you can.
I can't remember now, but I think my best case scenario for an actual whale had it taking 83 years, so we might have to settle for low grade dolphin or something. That I might be able to do in four years. :)
I've been known to go and change some things after the fact, but that's after two or three read throughs where I've still managed to miss something.
There are not many whales. I saw a report about a month ago listing the number of whales, orcas, dolphins, minnows, redfish. I should have saved it but did not. I think there were fewer than 40 whales. Fewer than 150 orcas.
So, did we miss the boat on this? Now you have to walk on water to make it to those higher ranks. Is that what's going on?
Appreciate your input on this.
Dang if you don't have a way with words. I just yell at them in my posts and tell them to stop being lazy and selfish, hahahaha. And, you can never go wrong with trains. I grew up around them, and hated seeing them die of like they did in many parts.
I do believe you are the official man of wisdom for the platform (and your denial of it will only prove it truer). I look forward to your posts, and appreciate the ways you frame your vision.
Well, I hope one day both of us can plant our flags on the top of this platform. That would be cool.
Thanks for the enthusiastic remarks. Maybe I could get a "cover page" on all my posts and quote you. You know like they do on the covers of books.
Anyway. many blessings. Hope you have a great weekend. I'm off to do chores for a bit.
This is a great post. I think you found the perfect balance between selling a success story, telling the truth, and having a laugh 😃
I think I first heard from you when you were like a (28) or even a (25). You are making good progress and I see you hanging out with people here that make a difference. Plan on seeing more of you. Many blessings.
Pretty cool guess at the payout, but you might have underestimated a little bit, but at day two and 9.70, you are going to be real close. Best picture - - - It is of the V & T Railroad - - - and best quotable line - - - "What you learn, what you become as a person, the challenges you face and overcome, or not, these are the important things. " - - - - nice post.
Yep, all the way up to $10.70. Whoopee I'm rich! Someone needs to give Steem a boot in the pants! Anyway, kind of funny I just heard the V & T tooting as it heads up to Virginia City. The thought crossed my mind to go take a selfie mooning them. God! One day I might grow out of adolescence. Maybe.
Good to see you here. Sorry I've been so slow in responding. Have been swamped with other family and work obligations. But back in the saddle.
Best to you today.
Well at least you are over the $10 mark. The only time I came close to that was in a @ grumpycat comment, he was feeling generous on that day. Still 3 days to go, so it could go higher, but then again it could go lower also. guess it will depend on steem price.
Yes, I feel fortunate. But like everyone else look forward to Steem taking off. Come on Steem!!
Yep, all the way up to $9.84. Someone needs to give Steem a boot in the pants! Anyway, kind of funny I just heard the V & T tooting as it heads up to Virginia City. The thought crossed my mind to go take a selfie mooning them. God! One day I might grow out of adolescence. Maybe.
Best to you today.
Yep, all the way up to $10.70. Whoopee I'm rich! Someone needs to give Steem a boot in the pants! Anyway, kind of funny I just heard the V & T tooting as it heads up to Virginia City. The thought crossed my mind to go take a selfie mooning them. God! One day I might grow out of adolescence. Maybe.
Good to see you here. Sorry I've been so slow in responding. Have been swamped with other family and work obligations. But back in the saddle.
Best to you today.
Glad to come across you and been able to read this wonderful piece of yours.
Success on steemit is not easy, we all come here with high expectations but as we go along we discover how difficult it becomes but the secret is patient and consistency I believe we will make it
Glad you enjoyed the post. Indeed, it does take great commitment to continue to progress with Steemit. Hope we see each other past the Minnow stage!
Profound and fun to read. I was just reading in the book The Law of Success, and in the Introduction, Napoleon Hill speaks of the golden thread that runs through the entire book. That golden thread is Organized Effort. With organized effort we, also, get our Steemit Train moving on the track. Thank you for the wonderful analogy. Now it is time for me to go... "I think I can, I think I can.... I KNOW I can!"
Yes indeed. I know you can. "Organized effort". That would have fit well with this post. It's something I'm just now getting in place. Blessings.
I really enjoyed reading this post @mistermercury. Today, I was on your train and I nearly got distracted by the girl on the tracks.
Glad to see you got to ride on the train. Yes indeed, one must watch out for the women. Hope you are home, safe, and juicing!
I mentioned your post in my last post.
Appreciate that. Thanks.
Fantastic post! I think this will be very inspirational to allot of people. It's easy to get disenchanted now and again with the platform. When confronted with those trying times I think we have to ask ourselves: 'What is our goal?' Personally, I think if one's goal is to make money then maybe Steemit is not the best place for that. Yet, if one's goal is to create content, have some fun, and interact with others, while maybe making some change on the side.. If that is the case, then this is the place.
Thanks for your enthusiastic comment. Yeah, I'd love to have a bundle of Steem Power I could use to upvote everyone. And of course it would be good to have that for myself too. In the meantime we'll have some fun and do the best we can. Frankly though, I'd love one of those Maglevs.
Oh you're gonna get the Maglev, the force is with you.
My father always uses that metaphor to talk about life, explaining me that you are either the car or the engine, but there is a place for everyone! Great post full of humor too :)
Greetings. Thanks for stopping by. Glad you enjoyed. Took a quick trip over to your blog. Nice voice. Great music Good energy. Blessings.
I think it is much cooler to be a wizard than a heart throb. More useful too.
Yes, I focus on the journey. Focusing on success here would really take all the fun out of it.
Yeah, I got in the line for wizards before coming down this lifetime. Much better, indeed. Heart throbs get old and depressed. Wizards get wise and illuminated... and they have a better sense of humor!
There is also the wizardly benefit of turning the heart throb into a toad if he makes you made.
I wonder if the line to be a wizard is shorter? Sadly, I'm guessing it is.
Yeah, I've joked around in the past saying that when God was telling the spirits about the various lines that they might get in before coming down I was busy talking to a neighbor and missed the one with wealth, fame, dancing girls and long life. Fortunately I was able to slip into the wizard line. Well...and that's just a joke. I do think I got in the line for another go at higher consciousness. Maybe another couple of hundred lifetimes and I'll have it!