Like I cautioned however, as you grow your circles you would need a really large stake wallet to compete with what the growing community around you is upvoting you.
For example, you regularly pull in at the moment 200-600 Blurt from your posts. Add in your comments that are voted to that and then do the math and figure out how much Blurt you average daily/weekly. That's how much stake you will need to compare right now.
Then the question needs asking is this. Do you feel if you invest in others with your stake that those numbers will grow, and if so at a faster rate than self voting over that same time?
Then the final question that I feel is often overlooked.
I'll start off by using my actions as an example.
I spend way to much time on here, curating and encouraging. I do this because I believe long term that making those I care about stronger, making them feel appreciated is just as important an investment than immediate profits to myself. These actions, in my opinion, solidify the value of this chain as it encourages growth with the nourishment my fellow community here needs to be a valuable growing member. An almost impossible variable to guage, yet seems so common sense to me that the more i invest in you and others the better off for my personal investment as time goes by. While it may or may not (I typically think it will usually) increase my votes given to myself, it probably is likely to increase the value of what I hold and continue to accrue.
I've said many times, I defend upvu and their competitors, although I wouldn't recommend them for any but a pure investor.
In my view you are quite personable, and over time would naturally see a growth in those who appreciate your personality and experiences.
Oh no....I'm sorry that I encouraged you to take the time to write that especially knowing how you need time for yourself these days given your new job. I'm fully aware of all the things you state. But maybe someone else reading this needed to here it.
You got to be careful with what you read from me sometimes, as it's in my nature to joke around a whole lot, probably too much. I was totally joking and would never circle jerk upvote myself like that. Certainly does not align with anything about me as a blogger, investor, and personality here. Maybe if I woke up one morning and could only speak Chinese, then maybe that would make sense, be even then from a moral perspective it does not feel right and it's a horrible example for others.
As a side note.....So for 5 years on hive/steemit, all I did was post my travel stuff and joke around with others,....then my pissed off warrior side was forced out.....now I'm 100% making a conscious effort to get back to my fun lighthearted ways that I was known for which kept me at the top of the travel community for so long....over there. It's far more fun and healthy being the lighthearted Travel Pro. As I mentioned before I think I'm still a bit shell shocked from that horrific experience. Never in my life have I even been so mistreated, really fucked me up.