Being an early new-comer to a platform that has blown up like this has had it's perks, as the amount of actual money and cryptocurrency that I've invested has multiplied since I've upgraded my Steem Power.
Below, I'd like to list a few things that make being a (small) dolphin cool.
1. You get easier recognition for your posts
Users of the platform are much easier to notice someone who has a decent amount of Steem Power, simply because when they up-vote content it STICKS OUT. Most posts these days are overlooked, as you are well aware, no matter HOW well they are written, unless they manage to grab the attention of a dolphin or whale in the "new" "active", or "trending" categories in a timely manner. A dolphin up-voting your content within 30 seconds to 30 minutes means that MANY other users will see the monetary value attached to your post and will want to hitch on board by up-voting your content as well. This create the Steem-Rolling Avalanche effect that leads to insane amounts of likes attached to posts.
2. You become less anxious...
The content you post matters less and less about PERFECTION. You realize that no one is perfect, and you don't strive to be- but you realize that quality content actually tends to get up-voted more even if you DO have more Steem Power. You still have the urge to create, but anxiety over what others are telling you is the right thing to do no longer exists as much. You realize that you've stuck out not solely because you've got an English degree, the prose of William Faulkner, and can source better than the New York Times releasing content at the speed of twitter- people would rather read content that you found FUN to make. Anxiousness leads to a lack of creativity and FUN, which comes through being relaxed. You can't be relaxed if you're on edge and pissed that the last few posts you've taken your time on have gotten no love. You could, but you I guess you'd need the confidence and self-esteem of Rocky.
3. You don't NEED to post to make money- you enjoy helping people get recognition
Helping other users get Steem Dollars for their very well thought out and planned out content early on is a major turn-on for you. You realize that in order to build a long-term financial vehicle that you need to do it by also helping others get there with you. You need a community of people, and so you are no longer closed off like you might have been on other platforms. As other people gain Steem Power, and recognize you for helping get them where they are, you also win. Steemit is the first community where you REALLY just want to help people, and from a sincere place. Because if you're not being sincere then you're wasting voting power because one thing you'll realize is
4. You're more careful about what you up-vote
As you become more and more conscious of how easy it is to lose voting power (by constantly refreshing steemd.com/@(yourusername)
This leads you to be a TRUE curator who only up-votes content that they believe in, as wasted voting power becomes a burden on your mind. Whether they believe that this will gain mass attention leading to self-profit OR this is content that DESERVES mass attention for the welfare that it is bringing the Steemit community or any other community outside of it. Steemit is about helping humanity, you come to realize, and it's your RESPONSIBILITY to help guide the posts that permeate this platform toward a positive one that builds good character, morals, and growth.
5. You have a vested interest in helping this platform look good
By seriously marketing Steemit in a good light, and by curating quality content, as noted above. You want this platform to succeed above all others...and the fact that there are SO many dolphins and whales that grow in sizes you wouldn't believe...this means that this platform has WAY too much personal, financial, creative, and future-oriented interest to fail. Steemit has grown beyond a few influential people, and into hundreds, who wish nothing else than to see the whole world realize how amazing Steemit can be if you put just a bit of time and effort into it.
6. Community becomes a REAL thing
Your neighbors become much more apparent, as you recognize the same names who frequent your posts. Soon enough, you have a group of great and positive people who have a vested interest in helping you succeed, which leads you to have a vested interest in helping THEM succeed, since they are usually the same people up come upon your posts and up-vote. This becomes another Steem-roll effect, as you and your new friends and neighbors help bring each other up. Suddenly, these people that up-vote your content aren't different every time- you constantly recognize new names that have been up-voting your stuff over and over, and now you're up-voting them too-regardless of how far you've already spent your voting power! This is a beautiful thing.
As your Steem Power grows, EVERYONE on this platform currently has the potential to be a WHALE, as this platform draws more and more users. If you're here now and have been investing in Steem Power, then you must realize just how much more and more difficult it will be fore users in years to come anywhere near what you may have. This is the time to learn, develop and criticize this beautiful new world that we call "Steemit", as we usher in a new civilization that will look up to each and every one of us founding members for what we've built.
"With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility"
-Your Friendly, Neighborhood Crypt0