Myopia is a common human malady. We often thing that something that happens must be normative, even when it's exceptional. Then our expectations can be according to what we want rather than sound reason.
The fact is, this very post can be worth 10k. How?
Convert it to SP and let it sit. It gathers interest over time, which compounds. The price of Steem is abysmal right now. For some that's a deal breaker or cause for depression. Those who understand markets tend to see it as an opportunity, if they've tracked Steemit and think it's going to do well over the long haul.
With this in mind, if your $75 payout for this article is invested in Steem, you'll have roughly 190 or so Steem to power up. That 190 not only gets interest, but if Steem goes up to $10 one day, it's suddenly worth over $1,900 USD. With compounding interest, if that's two years down the road, it could be $5k.
If you're in it now to get good financial returns in the short-term, you're going to have to invest a lot of time and probably buy some Steem to power up. For me, every article I write is an investment in my long-term goals with Steemit. I see it as a future payout.
Compounding interest - if you don't understand it's power, you need to study it. Many a poor young man with vision retired comfortably with this simple tool in his arsenal.
Don't be myopic. Plan for the future.