This may sound weird to some but Steem has changed me as a person for the good. I have noticed it in how I think and how I take on tasks in real life. A few years ago I would have thought differently on how I do things. I didn't have the drive I have today and I had no fight left in me.
When I first joined Steem I realised that it wasn't going to be easy. The days of earning easy Steem were long gone and I needed to work extra hard to get anywhere. I saw the early adopters with their accounts full of Steem and wanted to join them. The only way I knew how was to work harder than others around me. Not necessarily smarter, but putting in the extra hours and being active. I may have a personality, but was lacking other resources like writing skills.
The difference on here now is I am smarter to the goings on and I am still active so I am earning more than in the beginning. The key is I am still active and have a clear thought process in my head of what is achievable. This process has made my brain work so that I can see the path ahead. My brain doesn't stop and if i am not looking for the next post I am spotting a new opportunity finding another client.
What Steem has taught me is you need to do the extra things and go the extra mile. There is nothing easy and no one is entitled to anything. This is the same in life, you need to be a go getter and start hustling if you want something badly. I have never been one to put myself in positions of failure and that could be a weakness. I don't even think like that these days as I know I can literally put my hand at anything.
When I first walked through the Steem door I honestly had no idea what it entailed. When I realized it entailed writing and engaging with others I had second thoughts. That wasn't who I was and I have changed for the better. Five years ago I don't think I would have done it and it is about testing and pushing yourself knocking down barriers that are there for some reason. I have learned over the last year that I needed this and had no idea.
Steem has been like a natural medicine for me as I think my brain was dead in my last job. I was bored senseless as there was no challenges left for me. I could do that job blindfolded and had no more influence over what could be done anymore. This place knocked me back into line by what needed to be done in order to grow and has inspired me to do more. There are no shortcuts here, trust me I thought there had to be one and I couldn't find it. The short cut is hard work and total commitment. The more you put in on a daily basis the quicker you will grow, the same as the real world outside of the platform.
I have a strong will that drives me wanting more and more and I owe that to this place. I had lost my drive and the fire in my belly before I arrived on here. It has taken a year to beat me up and spit me out, but I am here because the fight is back in me. The fire is burning and I want so much more. I can see the path ahead now and know what it takes and all I can say is bring it on.