Susie Briscoe
Founding Chair &
Chief Executive,
Acer Coaching Associates

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Hello!
I'm Susie Briscoe of Acer Coaching Associates,
and I work with business professionals around the world to get clarity on their life purpose, to include a legacy mind set, and start thinking outside their usual parameters.

Do take a look at my business page.

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Legacy & Entrepreneurship Coach, Executive Coach, Money and Finance Coach

UKCLC; C&M International - Accredited by Birmingham University, UK: Coach, Mentor, Supervisor

MBM Certified

Member: International Association of Business Coaching

You want to explore your legacy, life purpose & make a difference. I help you, a busy professional, to gain clarity, think outside your usual parameters, and build a business with a real sense of meaning.

March 14, 2014

Trouble reading the articles or seeing graphics? View online version here. Enjoy!

Dear {!name_fix},

Sitting in the UK with the rain pouring down -- again! -- even though we have had some welcome rays of sunshine. Thank you for your responses to my last ezine -- it's always positive to get a good response, and I value all your comments and best wishes.

Today, we are going to look at how you give things away... giving is good, but remember to look after yourself as well! I look forward to getting more robust thoughts from you on this. I'd also like to introduce you to my dear friend and colleague, Peter Lawless, who is sharing his thoughts on happiness and offering you the opportunity to download his book, '10 Steps to Happiness,' in pdf format as a special gift to my community.

There is news from Kenya as well, more of which will follow, as I get a better idea of Bishop Kibobi's itinerary when he visits the UK.

For now, I would like to remind you that you have the opportunity for a free 30-minute consultation with me to discuss where you are in your life, what problems you may be facing, and discover what your solutions are. Please remember to click on my Skype link on my website or email me (susie@susiebriscoe.com) to schedule a time.

Let me know your thoughts. But for now, sit back as you settle down for a comfortable and relaxing chat, favourite hot drink in hand (my choice at the moment seems to be Luaka caffeine free tea -- just right to welcome the rare rays of spring sunshine after all the rain!) and enjoy. It's so important to take time just for you, especially at this busy time of year!

Loving hugs,

Susie xx

Do You Give It All Away?

Most of us have been taught that it is nobler to give than to receive. While giving can be a wonderful, heart-warming experience, giving too much of our time and energy can be detrimental to both our physical and emotional health, leading to anxiety, overwhelm and burnout. Take this quiz to see if you are giving it all away.

1. I force myself to do things even when I don't have the energy to do them.

2. I ignore my body's "no" signals when I think someone's needs are greater than mine.

3. I hate conflict, so I'll do whatever it takes to avoid it, which often means doing something I don't want to do.

4. I feel obligated to answer the phone when it rings, even when I really don't want to.

5. The amount of time I spend listening to others far exceeds the amount of time that others listen to me.

6. If I don't answer all the emails I receive I feel guilty.

7. In order to provide luxuries for my family, I work more hours than I want to.

8. I schedule my work time around my clients' needs rather than around my own.

9. I can't say no when people in need ask me for money.

10. When I'm out to dinner with people who have less money than I do, I feel obligated to pick up the check.

11. I volunteer for my place of worship or other organizations even if I don't have the time.

12. People won't like me if I say no.

13. I'm the person everyone calls when they need help: a babysitter, chauffeur, or someone to fill in at work.

14. My children's happiness comes before mine. I'll do whatever it takes to make them happy.

15. I have a hard time saying no to my partner because I want him/her to be happy, even if saying yes makes me unhappy.

16. I feel selfish if I don't share what I have with others.

If you answered true more often than false, you may want to find ways to create more balance in your life by getting clear on your values and priorities and learning more about boundary setting.

Please don't hesitate to call or click on the Skype link on my website if you'd like to explore this issue further.

Author's content used with permission, © Claire Communications

Bye, Bye Monkey Brain -- How Mindfulness Can Lead To Happiness
by Peter Lawless

Our fate is too powerful to be left to the wheels of chance alone; we must firmly lend a hand in weaving the threads of our own destiny.

While our brain may have evolved beyond the ape brain to achieve wonderful powers of cognition, our thoughts, both conscious and unconscious, continue to bombard most of us like the incessant chatter of monkeys swinging in the trees.

Can we still these thoughts or at least become more mindful of them? Would that lead to more clarity of purpose and indeed more happiness?

From a very young age, I have been fascinated by heroes, from Jesus Christ to some of the Greek Gods, King Arthur, St Patrick, Siddhartha and countless others. One element seems to unite all of these people and myths; a love for people and doing the right thing by mankind.

Most villains on the other hand appear to be acting out of purely self-interest, as though they were separate to the rest of humanity.

So how can we know which persona we are projecting on our own thoughts and actions, each and every day -- by being more self-aware of our thoughts and the motivations behind them -- by being mindful?

To take one step towards becoming a better person is infinitely more powerful than standing still.

A five-fold path to mindfulness

1. Love thyself as thy neighbour -- a twist on the original saying by Jesus, emphasising that if we can't love ourselves, how can we expect to know how to love anyone else or indeed be loved by anyone else. Practice this by standing in the mirror and looking at the miracle of who you are -- marvel in the fact that God put you on this earth and thank Him and honour Him by honouring and loving His own creation -- YOU.

2. Accept what is without judgement -- Life will deal us good cards and bad cards. It is what we do with them that determine our happiness. Imagine that you are advising a friend to stay calm and upbeat after something happiness. What would you tell them? Now follow your own advice.

3. Take control of your own thoughts -- as the title of this piece says -- our mind never stops chattering. Be careful what food you feed it and what thoughts you allow to have energy. Focus on your happy thoughts, there must be some, and see the energy you give them as you lose sight of the bad thoughts.

4. Be aware of each moment -- each moment is unique, each moment will come and go -- what you do with each will determine precisely how you feel at any given moment. Next time you are stuck waiting for someone -- take this time to look around you and see if you can count how many things around that could make you smile. Try it, you could be surprised.

5. Accept the humanity in all people -- just as you are a miracle, a complex system of many parts, from brain to legs, from arms to heart, so is everyone else you meet a human as well. Give them a break. Treat them as you would like to be treated. You might end up seeing just how differently people start to feel towards you, when you do this.

Whether you practice Yoga, meditation or another form of practice to achieve better awareness and mindfulness, these 5 simple (5 a day) instructions can bring this peace and happiness to your everyday life, simply and effortlessly.

With a 30-year career of passionate belief in people, Peter has been a college lecturer, European sales Director of a Fortune 10 Company, driven two start-ups to multi-million companies. In 2004, discarding the corporate world, Peter launched 3R, a sales and marketing consultancy for SMEs and has since helped countless thousands unleash their full potential to achieve their dreams as well as authoring "The 10 Commandments of Happiness".

Today Peter has his own motivation business at www.peter-lawless.com.

Giving Back... Contribution is such an important part of our lives these days, whether at a local community, an individual or a global level.

Great news from my Kenyan friend and colleague, Bishop Jeremiah Kibobi. He is returning to the UK in May this year to further his vision of bringing education to children in his region, Ongata Rongai, and to helping orphans have a better life at the two orphanages in his care. Just a quick reminder of our connection to Bishop Kibobi:

We had such positive feedback after you read the message from the Right Reverend Jeremiah Kibobi, the Bishop of Ongata Rongai, Nairobi, Kenya. As you know, Bishop Kibobi is one of my dearest friends and colleagues, and I have had the pleasure of helping him and his wonderful extended family of colleagues since 2002, soon after they set up Magnet High School... He has asked me to thank you from the bottom of his heart for the wonderful messages you have been sending to him, as well as your generous donations. Both he and the children at Magnet School and the orphanage want you to know just how much this means to them and have promised to keep us updated on what they are doing and also to send photographs showing how we have used your contributions to good effect.

I will bring you more news in time, as he gears up to organise his itinerary.

Being coached by Susie was an amazing experience. I was struggling to move forward on a work-related project for which I had no enthusiasm. Her skillful coaching enabled me to see my situation differently and find the motivation and confidence I needed to tackle the job. Most importantly, she made me realise that when I set my mind to something, I can achieve it and that, for me, aiming high and giving my best are things that can't be compromised.

Being coached by her also taught me much about what good coaching is about, especially how a coach can challenge a client to look beneath the surface, acknowledge what is there and use this insight to make real changes or take fresh action.

As a mentor, too, she has been superb. Her outstanding support, guidance and commitment have helped me to take my coaching to a higher level. She has been a fantastic role model, giving so much of herself, and her time, so generously and effectively. Her friendliness, professionalism, warmth, humour and energy have impressed and inspired me again and again.

Thank you Susie, I so much appreciate all you have given me.

- Dr Geraldine Byrne, Ph.D., Diploma Professional Coaching Practice, PGCE/RNT, RN, BA

Geraldine is a Principal Lecturer within the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work at the University of Hertfordshire (UH). Geraldine is a nurse researcher who has published widely on communication, patient experience, research methods and evidence-based practice. She is an experienced supervisor of doctoral research students and leads the Research Proposal Learning Area on the Doctorate in Health Research programme at UH.

Geraldine is also a qualified and experienced leadership and professional development coach and leads a team delivering individually tailored coaching, mentoring and leadership programmes to enhance clinical and research leadership in healthcare. Geraldine has completed the Coaching for Organisation Consultants at Ashridge Business School and is an Ashridge accredited coach. She is a steering group member for the UH Centre for Coaching and Mentoring and a member of the editorial board for the International Journal of Evidence-based Coaching and Mentoring.

Geraldine believes her background in health research and coaching and mentoring gives her insight into the challenges faced by health professionals choosing to follow a clinical academic career and, as scheme co-ordinator, is keen to support mentees and mentors to build effective and rewarding relationships and foster a sense of community in mentorship practice.

Susie Briscoe has devoted nearly a decade of her professional life to achieving excellence in entrepreneurship. She now brings her years of hands-on experience to help struggling business owners breakthrough their own blocks and overcome their personal gremlins to become the success that they know they are meant to be.

Susie has identified 'Leading Legacy' work as a major part of her passion. This is about filling the gap; working with people who still have an empty feeling inside themselves for whatever reason, and finding a way to give back to the world whilst recognising the importance of not wasting time as the clock continues to tick...

With her signature spirited style, 'can do' energy and exceptional skills as a catalyst and educator, Susie is without question the go-to-girl for guidance on overcoming disadvantages and finding 'silver lining rainbow solutions' within any grey clouds. Since 2004, Susie regularly meets and speaks with clients from around the world to educate and inspire them to bring money and meaning into their business and personal life, showing how to overcome any individual hurdles along the way.

She has successful experience of working with all ages, from teenagers in their senior year at school or technical colleges approaching University and other life choices to those either retired or approaching retirement who recognise there is still music yet to be played within them.

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Disclosure: From time to time, we will include links in the emails that would include promotions for our own products or affiliate products that could generate income or commission for Acer Coaching Associates (our company). In the case off affiliate recommendations, most of the products are products that we have purchased, used and recommend honestly. Regardless of compensation, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs and experiences of the product. These opinions are our own. Any claims, statistics and quotes should be verified with the manufacturer or service provider.