image source: els3bas.deviantart.com
This post is in response to the prompt “What does the Local Guides program mean to you?”
Keeping Passion Alive
I was a active blogger for more than 5 years starting from 2011, since 2015 Blogging community declined and with it readers on my blog. Since then I had felt incomplete, not able to reach out.
The first time I posted a review in Google maps and saw the Local guide points prompt, I was amazed. Since then Google LG program became my new Blog. I got into a habit of posting reviews of every place I visit, would follow Google Local guide social handles to learn to write more effective reviews and contribute in a better way.
So Local Guides gave something to be passionate about while contributing and reaching out to millions!
Fighting Anxiety & FOMO
I was a hyperactive kid and teenager growing up, even during college days I would have 100 things to do in a day. Since the time I joined a job, even though I am passionate about my Software engineering job I still started feeling a void due to having a monotonous life. It was very difficult to make time for anything between job and Mumbai peak hours commute. I would often find myself depressed about not being able to make time for anything other than my job.
Since the time I discovered Google Local Guide, I could fight the anxiety. Whenever I would have such thoughts of being stuck in a rut, I would open Google Maps Contribute tab and it would show me the recent places I have visited for which my reviews are pending and I would go about writing those reviews and posting pictures.
Also I can easily make time to post reviews or check facts or add new places even on a busy day, actually most of the days its part of my routine to contribute to google local guides in some or the other way.
This lead to Local Guide being my remedy for anxiety and helped me overcome the inertia
Introvert person, extrovert Local Guide
I have seen myself become a different individual when it comes to contributing to Local Guides. Usually I am a introvert person and would limit my communication to the minimal but when it comes to verifying the contact information, hours of operation and such details; I freely talk to the business owners or staff. Its almost like my Super hero Alter ego kicks in.
So yes I can say being a Local Guide is a Extrovert Super-Hero version of otherwise introvert me.
Pride and Happiness
The way Google local guides program has empowered me to help local businesses is a matter of pride to me. The happiness is knowing how my reviews and edits impacts their visibility on maps in a positive way.
Other than the points and level which are really encouraging and fun, it is also rewarding to see the happiness of the business owners when you take interest and ask them about their business. They are always happy to share more information which connects and makes the visit memorable.
To wrap up this post, Google local guide program helped me in many ways to be a better me, fight my weaknesses and brings out the Super Hero in me!
To give a face to the character(referring to myself 
) you read about.
Here I am with my Girl friend, whom I want to mention because she always gives me a moment to click a picture of the food for Local Guide contributions and sometimes she even reminds me to.(believe me its really hard for her 
)
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Thanks a lot! 