These days, I’m rather consistent in my zap amount. My default zap may change, depending on my sats pool. In fact, it oscillates violently from 28 to 328 sats. On most days, I’m very comfortable with zapping 108 sats for any post/comment. Currently trying to push it higher to the next stability level of 128 sats.

Having a higher default zap doesn’t always guarantee higher rewards from the rewards pool. Ok some days, I still get less than 1000 sats from it. I think it has to do with how I don’t zap posts/comments early enough. But I have decided that it’s only polite and respectful that I respond to Stackers who leave me comments. (A month ago, I might have zapped, but I probably wouldn’t have responded to ALL comments haha.) If I spend time replying to notifications, I will have less time to spot the winning posts/comments with it. That’s okay. I’m here to farm sats, yes, but I’m not particularly eager to game the system.

Having a high default zap and responding to all messages have indirectly led to an increase in my posting efforts. I typically post 2-3 times a day so that I can gain sats to respond to Stackers from a previous post. I admit that I’m slightly addicted to the dopamine rush. It brings a smile to my face whenever my new post crosses the 1000 sats bar. It means that I can reply to 7-8 Stackers, yay!

I have always loved writing, so I don’t think I will get burnt out by my prolific output (at least for now). It’s interesting how inspiration begets inspiration. I don’t know whether it’s my ENFP mind at work here, but one thing I post in a particular territory will give me ideas for another topic I can post in some other territory. I really love the idea of territory hopping. It helps that I have written stuff prior to joining SN. Sometimes I post an old piece or photo - and seeing that generate some sats sparks joy.

I have acquired the habit of using the Search button and reading posts related to a topic I wish to explore further. I like zapping Stackers’ old comments and breathing new life to them. I feel happy whenever my old post/comment fetches even 2 or 4 sats, so this is my way of paying it forward. That your proof of work in the past still generates dividends. Like radiation - but the healthy kind.

I’m great at asking follow-up questions but not so great at responding to them. I think my obstacle is that I don’t wanna zap 128 sats on a follow-up response. I have since decided that I can just zap less sats for the second-tier responses I receive. (Second-tier means Stackers reply to my comment made on their comment.) I am still wavering between 64 and 69 sats. I know, it’s a bit silly to deliberate over 5 sats per zap but you know, every little bit adds up.

Oh yes, I take profits too. At all times of the day, in fact. My withdrawal amounts have increased to 1k, 2k or 4k - which is more than the 500 sats I used to take. But I think my mentality hasn’t changed. I can only zap others unconditionally when I feel that I have taken enough for myself. Haha.