At CommentWealth, we believe that begging for an upvote in another Steemian's comment thread is not only bad form, it's spam. We've even started flagging some spam comments that are guilty of begging.
Of course, we all want upvotes. But sometimes, we can allow our need and greed for these upvotes to negatively influence our behavior, justifying blatant spamming of other people's posts in our search for that upvote fix. It can be very discouraging when our posts don't do well, according to the number of upvotes we receive. So how can we handle this discouragement and give ourselves the best chance for success on Steemit?
We need to lose our Upvote Envy!
Recently, a number of Steemians on MSP PALnet were introduced to the ideas of self-empowerment facilitator Byron Katie (BK). Her program, The Work, was recommended in the Audience Chat during an MSPWaves radio show, The Dark Side, hosted by 
One method BK shares to avoid suffering is to let go of our obsession with outcomes. On her blog, she explains this process as involving the realization that there are three kinds of business:
Notice when you hurt that you are mentally out of your business.
If you’re not sure, stop and ask, “Mentally, whose business am I in?”
There are only three kinds of business in the universe: mine, yours, and God’s.
Whose business is it if an earthquake happens? God’s business.
Whose business is it if your neighbor down the street has an ugly lawn? Your neighbor’s business.
Whose business is it if you are angry at your neighbor down the street because he has an ugly lawn? Your business.
Life is simple—it is internal.
Count, in five minute intervals, how many times you are in someone else’s business mentally. Notice when you give uninvited advice or offer your opinion about something (aloud or silently).
Ask yourself: “Am I in their business?”
It's not difficult to extrapolate and apply BK's insight to our activities here on Steemit. When we covet – or worse – beg for someone else's upvote, we're in their business. It isn't our business how, why, what, when, or who anyone else chooses to upvote on Steemit. And it's not our job to try and force an upvote in our favor.
So what is our job?
Producing quality content on Steemit that informs or entertains or shares or engages. Doing that keeps us in our own business and leaves the business of others to them.
Ironically, doing this is probably the best way to elicit a bounty of upvotes. Focusing your energy on your own business will likely make you not only more successful, but will also help you feel less envious or obsessed with the number of upvotes you receive.
Who would you be without your upvote envy? Maybe a happier person.
Please let us know your thoughts in... the comments! After all, that's where community happens.
