Become a 5 Star Human

Show Transcript

When my wife Georgia was doing the finish design work on the home she bought her mother since it was new construction, it needed the backyard installed, cabinets and closet systems, crown molding and other finishes put in.

The home is up in Orange County, an hour and a half from where we live so she didn’t have access to her normal resources and vendors here in San Diego. 

So, Georgia tried a few well-known national companies and became frustrated with their poor communication, terrible follow-up, and overall lack of professionalism.

So, she decided to turn to Yelp. 

She found a cabinet maker who had 560 5-star reviews and glowing commentary. The crown molding contractor had 420 5-star reviews. 

And each of them performed exactly as their reviewers detailed. They were consistent in their delivery.

Now, my wife doesn’t do business with anyone before checking their Yelp reviews. 

There is a BIG difference between the way a business will market and advertise themselves... and the way they actually deliver. 

Reviews are the AFTER experience testimony, so it makes sense.

This got me thinking... 

What if WE ALL had Yelp reviews?

Reviews on how well we perform... as a human?

Reviews on how well we show up to other humans?

What if everyone you encounter in life gave you a Yelp review?

Not just your spouse, kids, best friends...

What if all your neighbors rated you as a human being... 

All the people at the gym you go to... 

The people at the grocery store you encounter... 

The dry cleaners you frequent... 

The gas station you normally stop at... 

The coffee shop you go to regularly... 

The others at the dog park...

The people who stepped into the elevator at the same time with you...

Or those who saw you drive through the parking lot...

What if all the people in your industry... 

All your vendors... and all your competitors posted a Yelp review on you? 

Not how you operate as a business, but how good you are as a HUMAN BEING.

How kind, considerate, courteous, conscientious, caring, helpful, engaging, and friendly are you? You know, the basic tenets of being a nice human.

You see, I think one of the reasons those contractors were so conscientious of doing a great job is... because they KNOW the impact their Yelp review has on their future. It keeps them on their toes.

I know personally if I had a public Yelp review of how I am as a HUMAN... I’d probably be a better one...

I might be friendlier at the gym. 

I might smile more at the grocery store. 

I might even bring my own recyclable bags to the store...

I’d return my cart properly. Maybe even pick up some trash in the parking lot, in public view, on the way...

I might ask the barista about her day...

Maybe even buy the person behind me a coffee... ya, know, to rack up some more Yelp points.

And I might not ball up my fist and wave it at the maniac who merged in my lane without a blinker... I wouldn’t want the bad Yelp review.

It’s interesting, right? 

A) Being rated as a human being.

B) By everyone you encounter... and then have that aggregate be publicly viewable.

It makes me think...

1) Dang, I’m glad that rating doesn’t exist, YET!

2) Shouldn’t we all strive to be a better human...

To ALL the other humans we encounter... whether we have a public Yelp review or not.

So, what I’m gonna do is... pretend it does exist...

And work at driving my rating up to 5-stars...

By considering how I am showing up... 

To everyone, at all times.

Won’t you join me? At least today.

Spend your day trying to get... what would be... a 5-star review from every person you encounter today. I think it will change your day. If you like it, try it for another day.

Oh, and yeah... also like on Yelp... you are always gonna have haters... 

Sometimes for no actual fault of your own... some haters just gonna hate...

But... also like on Yelp... if your 5-star reviews are so plenty... 

They will overwhelm any 1-star reviews by sheer volume and enthusiasm. The key is to rack up tons of 5-star reviews.

Alright, jot down some ideas you have about how you can show up as a 5-star human today, and each day.