Call me blunt if you will: I don't care to have my time here wasted.
There is some great content here on Steemit. And, there is also alot of shit. Granted, that's not particular to this platform - the same balance is surely to be found throughout the internet, on any social media site.
And just as I don't care to have my time wasted with garbage, so I also value ensuring yours is well-invested with any of my content you end up paying your limited time and attention for.
This is a key principle I've stated throughout my work numerous times, and shall continue to do so.
We are in the midst of creation.
This community, this platform - they present us fantastic opportunities.
T'is possible we shall make the most of them, painting upon this canvas possibilities for innovative thought, ideas enriching readers' consciousness, and collaborative ventures to advance mankind's destiny as we break boundaries, rewrite rules, and stretch our imaginations to birth new forms of engagement with one another and our world.
Also t'is possible, that we resort to regurgitating opinions and distorted facts, perpetuating loops of judgement, cognitive bias, and misinformation with little purpose or power to advance minds out of their habitual comfort zones.
Yes, both exist here and everywhere.
Whether on Steemit, elsewhere on the net, in our businesses & jobs, or in friendships, relationships, and day-to-day encounters with those whose paths we cross - the words flowing out of our mouths and fingers may either uplift our & others' visions to new, broader perspectives, or sustain a status-quo of sub-par standards of excellence.
Call me idealistic if you will, though as an investor in Steemit and an early-believer in its cultural vision of the platform and community as a force for positive transformation and innovation, I'd argue that the former ought to be the choice we all aspire to as we proceed embarking upon our journeys of contribution here.
And really, at the core, what is it that sets apart the content that drives forward culture from that which keeps others stagnant in repetitive loops?
Intention.
When we sit down to write a story to share here - or anywhere, for that matter - what is our intention behind it?
Of course, that is a different answer for every person, for every story.
Regardless... how many of us diligently put in the time and energy to create the crystal clarity on why we're writing? How often do we challenge ourselves to critically refine the direction of our writing to reflect a solidly-declared intention for what we choose to impart to our audience?
Here, I make the case that such intentionality is not merely an optional ingredient in the process of content creation - it is a fundamental key to success both on Steemit and in life.
"Success" in this regards is not merely a matter of financial rewards.
While that may play a part, what I'm referring to here is the fulfillment of purpose.
Of the thousands of stories lining the front pages of this site - or the countless occurances in daily life across the globe offline - what makes your story worthy of readers' time and attention? Why does it matter? What gift do you have to others that is able to be weaved through your words, such that their life shall be better upon finishing the collection of sentences and paragraphs you etch into the Steem blockchain?
These are questions I've raised again and again, and may continue to do so from multiple angles. Partly, because I need to keep pushing and challenging myself to the higher standard of living by such a philosophy of intentional value-creation. Partly, because I believe this community would only be better off if the seeds of these ideas took root and spread like a virus to infect others here with a commitment to abiding by such values of ensuring the content they produce lives up to their highest, increasing, standards of excellence.
And sometimes I feel like a broken record, repeating these same core principles. Yet the motivation is intentional: hammering in those principles until they become an integral part of the foundation for both my own approach to content creation and those whom may be influenced through the wisdom within such viewpoints - both for the enrichment of all whose awareness comes into contact with the output.
I challenge you to review the two posts: "The FIVE Winning Ingredients For A Highly-Rewarded Steemit Post: What Makes A Story Successful" and "The FIVE Elements Of A Successful (Steemit) Story: How The Ancient Eastern Secrets Of Alchemy Are Your Key To Influence, Profit, And Inspiring Your Tribe....
Therein are laid out the five elements essential to including in any content that is to ascend to success, here or elsewhere.
Yet in both, I may have left out that key element of intentionality.
You or I could write something that's well-structured, original, inspirational, entertaining, or informational. Though if there is truly a commitment to its success, we must begin with the end in mind: what is the purpose of the writing?
What do we desire to bridge our readers to, through our stories?
Where do we want to take them, through the narratives we craft?
How do we aspire to make a difference, though the act of granting access to new perspectives via the English coding language chosen to direct focus into realms of new and fused ideas and discoveries?
Life is short.
Time flies quickly.
Before we know it, this ride will be over.
What do we intend to leave behind? What impact shall we choose to have, through these lines of code we are writing into the collective genetic memory system, line-by-line, story-by-story here on Steemit, and every other dimension of our lives?
Both amateurs and masters, we are - stumbling our way through this process. Hopefully, growing in discernment and wisdom through each learning cycle - bringing greater clarity to our intentions as we demand the time and attention of readers in turn for what opportunity we give back through our sharing.
So Steem on, we shall.
Though with what intentions...?
