I've been gathering testimonials from my clients and it is really vulnerable to ask people to share what I've meant to them and then take that in and receive it!

We stick around after a session and I ask them some questions and record their thoughts and then transcribe and edit it down (I get the okay for all this ahead of time). And each experience of this has made me a little fidgety—can I really take all this in?!?—but it's also been so nourishing and powerful! And I've intentionally tried to receive the words they share and not just slough it off. 

And each time, I've had a deep sense that everyone needs more of this!

I've cried a little and laughed a lot and I feel so aware of the magical co-creative, reciprocal exchange that we're doing with others in this life. And I think this is special medicine for those of us who struggle with receiving.  

So, I have a hunch that asking for a "testimonial" could be a sacred ritual in so many arenas, not just work. What do you think? Would you consider giving this a try with a friend or loved one? Or if you run a small business and you've resisted gathering testimonials, could you try this with your clients? (I've been really thinking about centering friendships and I wanna try this with my friends! Or if you wanna try it with family members, you could come from the perspective of why your soul chose your specific sister, etc)

I think defining a container for it helps honor the giving and receiving that's happening. So if you wanna give it a shot, here's what you can do:
1. Ask someone ahead of time if they will give you a "friend testimonial" or a "loved one testimonial" or "client testimonial" and ask if you can record it and make sure they're up for that. Side note: You might be tempted to just turn around and give them a testimonial in return. But I suggest planning that for another day so you each get to really bask/soak up the love. 
2. Have your questions ready. Here are the questions I asked, thanks to business coach Simone Seol:

• Why did you want to work/friend/partner with me? What about me drew you to me?

• What were some of your biggest concerns and worries about working/friending/partnering with me, if any, before we started? (It's so fun to hear the journey they've gone on from initial fears to where they are now!)

• What has been a favorite part of doing this work/friendship/partnership?

• What was a big transformation you got from our work/friendship/partnership? (And, if relevant: how did that impact different areas of your life?)

• What surprised you the most about working/friending/partnering with me?

• If relevant, who would you recommend me to?

Yes, these questions were intended for client testimonials, but I really like thinking about asking these questions in terms of friendship/partnership/loved ones, too! And this entire conversation can be short—ten to fifteen minutes. Or if you both get into it and have the time, it can definitely go longer!
3. Record the conversation so you can return to it and extra points if you wanna transcribe it and then edit/distill it down into a paragraph or so (I think this really helps us to receive/take it in). And keep this somewhere where you can re-listen to it, re-read it, etc. 
4. Your task is purely to ask the questions and receive the love and encouragement. And then see if you can hold it within, let it nourish you, and not just slough it off. 

Thoughts? Will you let me know if you try this? 

With care,
Brianna

P.S. And if you wanna read a couple of my collected testimonials, here they are. Gah! My bucket is so full! 

"I sometimes fear being judged and I was a little nervous about that with coaching and I wondered if Brianna would be too 'cool' for me. But Brianna’s approach is kind, relatable, and non-judgmental—she’s multi-faceted and comfortable with herself, which allowed me to be more comfortable with myself and all my facets, too. Whatever the topic, Brianna’s close listening and insightful questions either lead me deeper into whatever it is I'm looking at or give me a complete about-face. Most recently, Brianna helped me see that I am, in a sense, the “CEO” of my own health journey and not a victim of my healthcare providers, which was a giant turnaround for me and has helped me have a completely different attitude about my health and my doctors. I am feeling comfortable asking questions, sometimes demanding answers, and I just feel completely different in my approach to my own body and health.” —Rosemoon M.

“I considered many editors for my book. It was not a choice I took lightly, but after interviewing several other editors, it became clear that Brianna is quite simply a magic human—one who can do her job so efficiently and deliver above and beyond her clients' expectations. I'm SO glad I chose her. Not only did she work quickly (which helped me stay on track with the project) but her edits were truly thoughtful, tailored to my voice as an author, and crafted specifically to strengthen the message I'm sharing in my book. To say she made my work stronger would be a ridiculous understatement. Brianna lifted the potential of my book so that it truly has the potential to make a mark in the world.” —Kelly L.

"When I first signed up for coaching, I wondered if I was too type A, too "go-go-go" and project-manager-minded for it to really be effective. What I found is that Brianna has such a gentle and insightful process that I could bring anything to the session, including the “go-go-go” part of me. Brianna excavates but doesn’t use heavy machinery. She helped me look at what's under the rug in all kinds of different contexts and created a space where I was comfortable to go there, to look it in the face, and to work through the limiting beliefs and the sticky emotions with courage and compassion. I’m braver in my life (and made a huge, life-giving career change!) because I've been brave enough to stand with this stuff in session with Brianna." —Steph K.

Photo by Katya Ross.