Shrylle Mikkonen on Unleashing Your Potential

Join life coach Shrylle McKinnon and host Penny Fitzgerald in an inspiring conversation aimed at empowering women to move from merely surviving to truly thriving. Shrylle shares her journey from the corporate world to becoming a life and leadership coach, highlighting the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone, finding your passion, and taking baby steps toward your dreams. The discussion delves into overcoming limiting beliefs, the power of coaching, and finding purpose and fulfillment in your personal and professional life. Perfect for women entrepreneurs looking for motivation and practical advice to help them align their lives with their values and goals.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shrylle-mikkonen/
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00:00 Introduction to Shrylle McKinnon

01:41 Aligning Philosophies and Shared Values

03:05 Shrylle's Journey to Life Coaching

04:55 The Importance of Personal Growth

09:16 Embracing Playfulness and Curiosity

12:02 Overcoming Limiting Beliefs

15:47 The Power of Sharing Your Story

22:06 Capturing and Preserving Personal Histories

25:30 Finding Purpose and Fulfillment

12:56 Overcoming Self-Doubt and Embracing Opportunities

28:06 The Comfort Zone Dilemma

29:31 Finding Joy in Everyday Activities

30:33 Setting Realistic Goals and Resolutions

31:13 Aligning Life with Values and Purpose

33:39 The Power of Networking and Connections

40:13 The Importance of Coaching and Accountability

42:40 Favorite Adult Beverages and Personal Stories

47:01 Connecting with Friends and Building Relationships

48:47 Where to Find and Connect with Shrylle

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Transcript

[00:00:00] Penny Fitzgerald: Shrylle McKinnon is a life coach on a mission to support women in loving their life and going beyond surviving into thriving. We both see women putting their own dreams on hold because they're busy helping everyone else. It's easy to get stuck in the motions and the day to dayand even get comfortable with being busy.

[00:00:55] The growth happens outside of your comfort zone and by definition that's uncomfortable. but you don't have to do it alone or all at once. Take baby steps. A step is a step. Are you ready for more? Do you need support in remembering your dream or a little courage in moving toward it?

[00:01:13] We should talk. Here is Shrylle Mickenon.

[00:01:18] Shrylle Mikkonen: How are you? I'm good. Can you Hear me? Well, I can. Okay. Perfect. Right on. Yeah. That's great. It's great to see you. Yes. Likewise. Wonderful. Well, as flush as we can get from a couple of states across. 

[00:01:38] Penny Fitzgerald: Yeah, exactly. Exactly. Well, for, for my listeners benefit, um, Shrylle and I had a conversation this morning and decided that we're in alignment.

[00:01:50] Yes. We think a lot of things alike, I think. Have a lot of philosophies and, um, our attitudes are similar and we both come a place from a place of service and gosh, that's, I'm so excited to share your story. 

[00:02:06] Shrylle Mikkonen: Absolutely. Likewise. I, uh, actually listened to a couple episodes. I told Penny this morning. I said, before I come on, I just want to listen to I just connected what last week and off so quickly that we were like, let's meet.

[00:02:20] And so we had this phone call this morning. And then I jumped and listened to a couple episodes. And I was like, um, you said, uh, You use the phrase things that set your soul on fire. I was like, Oh, I use that one too. Um, there were a couple others. Also, I cannot believe that you've never heard the phrase, get your poop in a group.

[00:02:46] Penny Fitzgerald: No, I had not. But yeah, it's, it's festive.

[00:02:53] Shrylle Mikkonen: Oh, that's too funny. Yeah. 

[00:02:55] Penny Fitzgerald: Oh my gosh. Am I the only one? 

[00:02:58] Shrylle Mikkonen: I don't know. I guess we'll have to see, see what your listeners say. That's funny. 

[00:03:04] Penny Fitzgerald: Oh my gosh. Okay. So Shrylle, tell it, tell everyone a little bit about you. You are a coach as well, right? 

[00:03:10] Shrylle Mikkonen: Yes. Yeah. I'm a life and leadership coach. Um, I've been on my own for two years now, almost two years, um, coaching women who, uh, really crave that more type of feeling, um, but don't have the courage or the confidence to step out and do it.

[00:03:32] They're going through that eat, sleep, work, play, Repeat type lifestyle and maybe it feels good, but they're not taking the time to step back and ask the questions like, what sets my soul on fire? What do I really want out of life? And, um, I so strongly believe, you know, I saw this in, in the corporate world.

[00:03:56] Um, I was a manager and a leader and a trainer. So it was what I'd always done. And I loved having people come in and do their job and feel successful and have a good attitude and come in and give their best, right? And so then I would ask deeper questions like, so what, what, what do you have coming? What are you excited for?

[00:04:16] What are you working towards? And they're like, Oh, I don't know. This is kind of it. Like I'm here to do my job. And it was like, wait a second. And I just kept hearing that and hearing that. And I'd always been curious about personal growth. I've been reading books about personal growth and law of attraction and becoming your best self and high achieving.

[00:04:40] That's just what I do for fun. And when I realized that I couldn't really. pull that into the corporate world so much and help people see outside the box. I was like, I just have to, to do this. I have to answer this calling. Right. 

[00:04:55] Penny Fitzgerald: Yeah. 

[00:04:55] Shrylle Mikkonen: And I kept telling my employees as I would hire new people that success breeds success.

[00:05:03] And I'm sure you've heard this. That's not a Shirell original. It's, um, I told my employees, like, if you come into work and you're struggling, maybe you have a sick child or family member, or you've got some bills that are struggling, or you're a student and you need better balance, I need you to tell me those things, because I want you to feel successful here at work, so that when you feel successful here, You're going to feel go home and have a better attitude with your family and then you're not snipping as much as as much at your children, right?

[00:05:36] And that then your children go to school and they're in a better mood with their teachers because they have a healthier relationship with their family. And then you get a raise at work because you're showing up and you're feeling good about yourself. And this concept of success breed success is so captivating and empowering and can fit into any facet.

[00:05:58] But you have to stop and ask the questions and Having, you know, over the course of a couple of years, having such a passion for that side of things, but also the business and the leadership and personal accountability and responsibility to help drive and create that success is just, it's what sets my soul on fire and getting connect with people like yourself, Penny, is just it.

[00:06:27] So fun. 

[00:06:28] Penny Fitzgerald: That's awesome. Yes, I agree. And, you know, we get so busy. We're just putting one foot in front of the other and doing what we can to survive. Many of us, especially I remember back in the corporate days, I loved what I did. I love the people that I was working with, especially. Um, but yeah, it was not, um, yeah, it didn't set my soul on fire.

[00:06:51] Yeah. So moving into other things, but, um, But yeah, you get so caught up in the trap of just being busy and you're busy all the time. And we were talking earlier about, you know, if you're in that pattern of I'm busy, busy, busy, then when you, you start to realize that, Oh my gosh, I want more. And I don't remember what my more is, or maybe it's changed or something in my life has changed.

[00:07:13] Like I'm going through, you know, my kids are moving on to college or now I'm an empty nester or now I've got a grandbaby and those kinds of things. You just, um, you get caught in that trap of busyness and it's an easy way when you're busy, you don't have to think about more. You don't have to challenge yourself and you stay comfortable and you stay small and your voice is not heard.

[00:07:40] So what you're doing is so important to, to recognize while you're still young. And we talked about this too, that it's never too late. First of all, to do what. What you want or to, to follow your heart and we're a whole person when you're not feeling whole, you don't bring your best self to a corporate job or to your family or to what you're doing day to day.

[00:08:05] You just, you need to be a whole person. And I say in my trainings too, that you're a, you're a soul with a body, not a body with a soul. So, you know, if you're, your mouth is saying yes, but your soul is saying no, it's just. No, it's a hard way to live, 

[00:08:22] Shrylle Mikkonen: telling me, yes, I think it's the other way around, but that's, you know, that's so true that you, you're satisfied.

[00:08:34] And we shared this too, right? When you're a mom or you're caught up in your corporate career or, and whatever the thing is that you're doing in this phase of your life, if you're feeling busy, You might also feel fulfilled, but it's because you're not stuck, ask those questions and that's okay. It's okay.

[00:08:53] If you're feeling fulfilled and you're happy, that's great. But what happens if that stops? And that's kind of the phase where you're meeting so many of these women that are in this dramatic transition phase of, um, now I'm an empty nester, now my kids are gone to college, now I'm going through a divorce, now I'm leaving my corporate career, and what do I have for me?

[00:09:15] What do I even like? And so I want to tap into women before they reach that phase and help them ask those questions, because it's fun! It's fun to Play with the possibilities and explore your hobbies and try new things. And, you know, so many people think that it's scary or, oh, I couldn't possibly do that.

[00:09:38] I don't know how to bake a pumpkin pie. I'm baking a pumpkin pie from scratch for Thanksgiving. Not a clue how to do it, but I'm going to try. And, um, Um, that's, that's part of the fun and, and with that energy, when you get into that playful place of energy, it creates this happiness and who knows what that can turn into.

[00:09:58] Right, right. 

[00:10:00] Penny Fitzgerald: We, yeah, we don't play enough. Like, think of little kids, you know, little kids are always playing and all the world is like, they're experimenting and they're making stuff up. Like, a rock can be whatever they want it to be. You know, and they play what if we incorporated a little bit more playfulness into our lives, what, how would we create, what would we build together?

[00:10:25] And yeah, I just, I just want to encourage. I want to, I want to play more. You know, it's great having grandkids cause you know, you're getting down on the floor with them and, um, playing with blocks and all the kinds, all the things. And it's just, wow. The, the, the way that they think is just incredible just to watch that.

[00:10:47] Shrylle Mikkonen: Yeah, that's a blessing to kind of pull you back into that. That childlike wonder. Yeah, exactly. 

[00:10:56] Penny Fitzgerald: Yeah. So cool. So Shrylle, you mentioned that you are doing more speaking. Um, what are, what are some of the things that you're doing or what are you speaking about? 

[00:11:07] Shrylle Mikkonen: Um, so some of the things that I like to speak about are kind of all the concepts we spoke about about now.

[00:11:13] So whether I'm speaking to, um, a foundation or a corporation or a group of leaders in a small business or a. group of women in like a retreat type space, right? So, um, those are kind of the two facets thus far, but the conversation is kind of the same, maybe with just a little bit different language. So, what is personal leadership?

[00:11:37] How do you create success? What is your brain telling you that's holding you back from accomplishing your goals? And what, sets your soul on fire. How do you start dreaming? How do you get into that play place? And why is it important? And what does it mean to you? Um, a huge piece of people lacking success.

[00:12:02] Well, part of it is, you know, people, there's this, um, I can't think of the word right now, but when somebody is like, Oh, I don't, I don't want to be successful. I don't want to be rich. I don't, there's like a negative belief behind a person is a greedy person. A successful person is a snobby person. Okay. And so people almost hold themselves back like, Oh, I don't, I couldn't want that.

[00:12:27] I don't want success. I'm so humble. I don't want to be any better. I'm good enough as I am. And that's okay. You're capable of so much more and that's okay. And think about what you could do if you were reaching your highest potential and how many people you could impact and influence and inspire. And there's nothing humble about that.

[00:12:52] So yeah. Yeah, that was kind of a side tangent, but 

[00:12:56] Penny Fitzgerald: no, that's good stuff. Cause I, I, a lot of us, I think we were, you know, we, we have these limiting beliefs that came to us from our past, from our ancestors, from our parents and from their parents. So the thing about money, I, growing up, I heard. Oh, rich people are probably, you know, that, that, that belief comes from somewhere.

[00:13:21] So if you find a rich person who is not doing good in the world, you can also find an example of a rich person who is using their wealth to really do really good things. There are, there's whatever evidence you're looking for. You're going to find no matter what the scenario. Yeah. Yeah. So how could you use your power for good?

[00:13:44] You know, if you've got this. something in you that you want to do, but you're like, no, I'm too humble to do that. Really? That sounds like ego talking to me. You know, you're too afraid. There's a fear in there that's holding you back. And you know, if you like hanging out at home and not doing anything and sitting on the couch, more power to you.

[00:14:05] You don't, you know, you don't need to prove anything to anyone. But if you're, if you've got that question in the back of your mind that, I wonder what would have happened if I would have done XYZ. then yeah, if you've got, if you've got a question in the back of your mind, there is an answer for it. There is a way to get there.

[00:14:26] There's no question in your mind that comes to you that there isn't an answer for. God doesn't give you the question without the answer. 

[00:14:34] Shrylle Mikkonen: 100%. And Penny, it's so easy, I think, to, to be on the couch and be comfortable and be satisfied and be content because we're distracted by whatever it is you're distracted by, right?

[00:14:48] Social media, your family, your kids, it kind of goes back to that. staying in the comfort zone. And if you really stopped for a moment and asked yourself some of these questions, like, am I truly happy? Am I fulfilled? What, when was the last time I really felt so much joy? Like you only have one opportunity to live this life.

[00:15:09] Maybe there's more, maybe there's after, maybe there's multiple lives. But for right now, this is what we know that we have. Why would you just like chill and not try all the things? 

[00:15:20] Penny Fitzgerald: Yeah. Who could you be 

[00:15:22] Shrylle Mikkonen: serving? Adventure. Yes. 

[00:15:24] Penny Fitzgerald: Yeah. Who could you help? Who could you lift up by the things that you know, or by your, your way in this world?

[00:15:32] If you're bringing joy to other people, why are you holding that back? I think sometimes 

[00:15:40] Shrylle Mikkonen: the reason is, and you addressed this in one of your podcasts, Penny, is that people don't believe that they have any talents worth sharing. 

[00:15:47] Penny Fitzgerald: Oh, that just breaks my heart. Yeah. I've heard that so many times. I'll ask Women who I know are brilliant and are fabulous people.

[00:15:57] And I'll ask them to be on my show and they're like, Oh, I don't have anything to say. I don't, nobody wants to, I don't know. That's not important. Yeah, it is. Yes it is. And you are, you are important. You deserve to be heard. 

[00:16:12] Shrylle Mikkonen: I think that, I think that when you shared that, I, maybe that was in our conversation this morning.

[00:16:17] Anyway. Um, when I first thought of that, I thought of my grandmother who is, um, She's always been a stay at home housewife, and she took care of the whole entire farm in the order of feeding them and doing the laundry and cooking and gardening. She's been gardening for 50 years, and, um, I'll call her and ask her advice.

[00:16:40] She's like, Oh, I don't, I don't really know. I'm like, yes, you do know, you know, so much. And you know, the truth is she, but she was also like, you just kind of have to try and find out and see what happens, which is 100 percent true. But also like you have, there's, it gave me the sense that she didn't feel like she had value and knowledge.

[00:17:00] Yeah. Yeah. It doesn't matter what's it, what it is about, right? I was so interested and could have hung on her every word if she shared her experience. And that's part of it to share your experience, whether you're 25 or 65, you have a story and an experience to share. And I think sometimes I even catch myself with this, like, I don't have this deep, dark, sad, traumatic story to share for people to connect, but it doesn't have to be that.

[00:17:32] Penny Fitzgerald: No, I know for a long time too, you know, like in business, like, especially, you know, previous businesses I've been in, um, if you have a story, it's, you know, it tells it, it shows rather than tells, but. Yeah, there's nothing traumatic, but it's still a story. Like your, your background, the things that you've done, your experiences, the people, you know, the places you've been, all of it is part of your story.

[00:18:04] And, uh, you have wisdom. You don't know, you just don't even know how important you are. 

[00:18:13] Shrylle Mikkonen: The other thing that helps me. Broaden my belief in myself, I guess, is to remember that there's what, seven plus billion people on this world, and you cannot fathom seven billion people. I picture this, um, diagram that I've seen before that's like dots.

[00:18:33] It's just a simple diagram of dots. This is a hundred dots, and then this is a million dots, and you have to scroll and scroll and scroll to see a million. Mm hmm. There's now multiply that times the billion. There's 7 billion people in this world. And if you believe that your story is not worth hearing or that somebody can't connect or relate to that, you're wrong.

[00:18:56] There's a huge world out there. And I try to remember that when I think like, who, who could this relate to? Am I reaching the right people? Like, wait, there's so many people you haven't even had the opportunity to connect or reach with. 

[00:19:11] Penny Fitzgerald: Yeah. 

[00:19:12] Shrylle Mikkonen: That share your interests. Think about, there's so many weird interests out there that maybe aren't for me.

[00:19:19] Yeah. You know something as simple as like, um, the people who collect, um, 90s. Yeah. There's a whole huge community that like they have events and conferences. Oh my gosh. So you name it and you can find a community that is passionate about crocheting or learning how to garden or whatever the thing is. So if there's something that you're curious about or knowledgeable about one side of coin or the other, you can find your people out there somewhere.

[00:19:52] Penny Fitzgerald: That's right. Well, one person's weird is Another person's wonderful . 

[00:19:56] Shrylle Mikkonen: Yes. I love that. One Person's weird. Another person's wonderful. . . 

[00:20:02] Penny Fitzgerald: Yeah. I was talking with an aunt a while back too, and her story is, was. Just fascinating the way she grew up, you know, in her house household. I won't tell her story because it's not mine to tell, but she's one that she would not.

[00:20:19] I asked her to be on my podcast and she's in her 80s. I think it. Oh, no, I couldn't like, oh my God, your story is so fascinating. People would love to hear it. Just the way she grew up, you know, like it. without running water or without electricity and all those kinds of things from, you know, that's a novel, you can write a book about it.

[00:20:41] It's so incredible. But yeah, it's just, it's sad to hear someone say, Oh, no, my story is not, not valuable. 

[00:20:50] Shrylle Mikkonen: So what ways do you find Penny to help people find that value in themselves? 

[00:20:56] Penny Fitzgerald: You know, I just keep trying. I keep talking to people and the more people I talk to, the more people I ask to be on the podcast, the more people that join my classes or that, um, that I connect with.

[00:21:11] either in person or on social media, you know, I just try and encourage everyone to share their voice and to tell their story. So, you know, I'll just keep, I'll keep asking. 

[00:21:23] Shrylle Mikkonen: I think sometimes that's part of it. Just asking the question and showing genuine interest and like, Hey, I'm interested. I want to hear your story.

[00:21:32] And if I do, then somebody else probably does too. Exactly. 

[00:21:38] Penny Fitzgerald: Exactly. That's right. And what a legacy that is for, I just think of like my aunt or my mother, my mother in law, you know, how much of a gift would that be to record their story in their voice for their grandchildren and great grandchildren. And, you know, that's just, that's amazing.

[00:21:59] That's a gift. I think it's very cool. And I'm grateful to be able to do that 

[00:22:06] Shrylle Mikkonen: even in the way, you know that how quickly Society and technology has evolved in in the last century that there's still people who grew up without water and In a very small amount of time. We won't know or understand of that experience, but we have the technology to capture those stories in such a captivating way that sure, there's books that tell of those stories, but the, the power of the voice is so much more impactful than, 

[00:22:38] Penny Fitzgerald: I 

[00:22:38] Shrylle Mikkonen: mean, it can be in words as well, but 

[00:22:41] Penny Fitzgerald: you know what I mean?

[00:22:41] Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, I said, you know, I would have loved to have heard my grandparents voices, and I was really little when they passed away, because, well, my, this is a long story, and I think my people know this, but my, my parents were much older when I was born, um, I, my dad, um, made it to almost 103, and mom passed away at 91, and They were, gosh, dad was 48, I think, when I was born and mom was 41 or 2.

[00:23:18] Shrylle Mikkonen: Okay. 

[00:23:19] Penny Fitzgerald: Right. And yeah, so, and back in the 60s, that's unheard of, you know, so I grew up with a lot of those stories. Stick in my brain, but I did. It was, you know, they passed away before I started the podcast. Before it was a thing to record . You know, I do have a recording of my dad's voice. I'm really excited about that, but I don't have my mom and just, it'd be so cool to have those kinds of things to be able to listen to their voice.

[00:23:48] Shrylle Mikkonen: Yeah. Yep. Definitely a, a power of connection in, in the movie. Yeah. 

[00:23:55] Penny Fitzgerald: Yeah, well, and she had Alzheimer's too for gosh, the last 10 or 15 years of her life. So it was really, um, difficult to even connect. Um, it was, you know, it was a different, different way to connect in the last years of her life, but. Yeah, all of our histories, they bring us to where we are today.

[00:24:17] Shrylle Mikkonen: Do you feel like, um, you know, as I'm getting to know you, I'm curious if this mindset that you have, this belief and enthusiasm for fun and experiencing the most out of life, do you feel like you've always had that? And that's always been a part of your personality? Or do you feel like it's something that you sought after or something changed or that you created?

[00:24:42] That's 

[00:24:42] Penny Fitzgerald: a great question. I, I think I've always been this way and it's just now I'm figuring out how to bring it out, you know, bringing out really, you know, I mean, I've always had fun with people. I've always loved making people laugh. I, back in high school, I was in the plays and all that. And I loved that, just absolutely loved it.

[00:25:04] And I love public speaking, which is very weird. I understand. I love to entertain people. I love to have fun. Um, yeah, so I think I've always been this way, but now I'm really honing that and helping other people with it more than I, you know, just having fun with it, still have fun with it, but now it's, now it's got more of a purpose behind it.

[00:25:30] Shrylle Mikkonen: Harnessing it and the purpose, you know, you keep talking about, um, the, we were talking earlier about the fulfillment piece when you're, you're feeling fulfilled, but if you stop and ask the questions, are you actually feeling fulfilled? And I think a lot of that comes from finding a purpose to serve, right?

[00:25:50] Yes. Why do you, they talk about how, when you retire. So many people will die shortly thereafter as there's their purpose was you work and maybe to serve their family and to save for retirement or what have you. And then when they no longer have that, it's like, okay, well, now what they're no longer tied to any kind of purpose.

[00:26:15] And I think that's where creating and seeking that at a younger, at whatever age. Right? To find that purpose and that mission to, to give back and serve the world, right? Gandhi was like, be the change you wish to see in the world and create those changes to give yourself your own purpose and enjoy it along the way and have fun.

[00:26:42] Penny Fitzgerald: Yes, exactly. Yeah. Or find, you know, find a hobby. Start with that. Something that you love to do and then do it with some other people. See how that feels and yeah, try some new things on. Does that make you laugh? Do you have fun with it? Yeah, there's all, there are all kinds of opportunities out there to keep going.

[00:27:04] That's one thing my dad always said. I, you know, what, what advice would you give? Oh, you got to keep it going. Like, okay. That's 

[00:27:14] Shrylle Mikkonen: good. That is a good one, right? Keep going. Keep trying. And yeah, you ask people like, Oh, why haven't you tried XYZ? Oh, I couldn't do that. I'm, I'm not capable. Like, how do you know that?

[00:27:27] Yeah, my son was like, Oh, like, yeah, I'm too old. I'm not strong enough. I'm not smart enough. I didn't get that education. It's like, right, but there's, there's Go get it. Opportunity is everywhere. And we're all just figuring, that's something my dad always says. Like, how's it going dad? Or what are you doing?

[00:27:45] Oh, I'm just trying to figure it out. We're all trying to figure it out. Your parents know what they were doing as they were parenting you. They just figured it out along the way. They didn't know how to do their career when they stepped into it. We just learn as we grow. And I think people let fear get in the way of.

[00:28:04] Oh, totally. 

[00:28:05] Penny Fitzgerald: Fear of what though? Yeah, well, when we're comfortable, we don't grow, you know, if you're comfortable, yeah, our brain is trying to keep us safe. Trying something new is uncomfortable. So let's stay comfortable and not learn something new. Well, that to me, that's sad, you know, unless, unless you're loving what you're doing, that's, that's cool.

[00:28:28] If you have a hobby or you love to read or whatever. That's all good. You 

[00:28:35] Shrylle Mikkonen: do you. There's like two fields of people that we can tap into there. The person who's like on the couch and comfortable and like mostly is enjoying life, but they have so much more potential that is untapped, right? So I do want to tap into that person, but I don't want to pull them away from their comfort, but also I want to challenge you a little bit to grow outside that comfort zone.

[00:28:56] And then there's the person who's on the couch who might have a hobby, but who is really miserable. but it's too scared next step. So there's both those schools of people that have so much potential to, to do something more and enjoy life. And I had a post the other day on Facebook, more to me isn't like, More money or more to do's or more things or more responsibility.

[00:29:22] Right. Or is more passion, more purpose, more energy, more fulfillment, more meaning. Fun. Fun, right. Like if you have to cook dinner, throw some music on and open the windows and make it fun. There you go. And your, your attitude and your perspective is, is everything. 

[00:29:42] Penny Fitzgerald: Yeah. It could be more time with girlfriends or more time with family or More time reading a book or taking a bath, whatever it is.

[00:29:50] Yeah. Something that brings you joy. 

[00:29:53] Shrylle Mikkonen: And I think so many people would say like, Oh, I don't have time for any of that. Well, it takes five minutes to, to sit down and read a couple pages of a book. Just, just start with five minutes. Don't overwhelm yourself and be like, I'm going to commit to reading six books a month and I'm going to make this month, like, take some of the pressure off.

[00:30:12] Just read a couple pages. And if you don't like that book, try something else. Read a picture book. If it's a thing, right? Like, make it fun, like you're saying. 

[00:30:21] Penny Fitzgerald: That's right. Read a book to your grandkids or your children or your cat.

[00:30:31] Oh gosh, yeah. Wow. Well, and that, that reminds me too, we're coming up on the end of the year here and pretty quick people are going to be making New Year's resolutions and setting themselves up for either success or not. And, you know, it's, you know, You do you. You do you. And it just, it's hard to see people, um, beat themselves up for not meeting a goal that is maybe a little lofty or not quite in line, in alignment with what they really, really want.

[00:31:10] Shrylle Mikkonen: I think that it's both of those things. The, the name of my company is Align Life Works. When you align your life with your values and your purpose and your passion, life just works. And I love that. Thank you. It's, it, it perfectly makes sense, right? When you're in a line, something that sets your soul on fire, life is just easier and breezier.

[00:31:34] And in relation to the New Year's, um, goal coming up. I am speaking with so many women and asking specific questions like, what is your big vision for your business or your life? What is your goal? What is, and asking this question, they're like, Oh, to, to be financially free. Oh, to travel more, which is great.

[00:31:55] That's beautiful. But what does that actually mean to you? What do you need to get there? And so when it comes to setting these goals, they're not only maybe too lofty, there's no clarity. Oh, you want to lose 30 pounds? How about instead you just Focus on one single habit to change or you focus on losing three pounds first, because 30 pounds, when was the last time you lost 30 pounds?

[00:32:20] Maybe never. So then it feels unattainable, right? Yeah, right. That's such a great point that it doesn't have to be failed New Year's. Resolutions again, learn how to properly goal set, get in touch with your why, pick a goal that feels good and exciting, right? If you don't want to lose 30 pounds, but you feel like you should, yeah, that's not going to work, forget that goal, 

[00:32:44] Penny Fitzgerald: that's not going to work, yeah, and it's not about grinding it out.

[00:32:49] It's not about hustling harder. grinding, doing the things that are hard, having more willpower. No, it's got to feel right. It's got to feel good. And when it does, you're in alignment. That's when you really make progress. Yeah. Towards something that's real instead of, yeah, that'd be good to have, or that'd be good to strive for.

[00:33:11] I should do that. That would be a good thing. That's what, that's what good people do. 

[00:33:17] Shrylle Mikkonen: Yeah. All right. Arbitrary rules that don't set up your Christmas tree to who cares? Do it whenever you're up all year long. If you want 

[00:33:29] Penny Fitzgerald: to, what makes you happy? Yeah. Like that thing up. Yeah.

[00:33:37] Oh, very cool. Shrylle, what else are you working on or what's your passion for next year? What are you going to do? What's up your sleeve? 

[00:33:49] Shrylle Mikkonen: Oh, so I have a, my current goal that I've been working on for the past two months I shared this morning is just putting myself in the room, really forcing myself outside my comfort zone and building connections and.

[00:34:06] networking, and meeting people who are in alignment, who set my soul on fire, right? You, I never want to be the smartest person in the room, and you become like, most like the five people you spend your time with. Exactly! So I, I'm sitting here in my, my office. I'm like, who am I becoming right now here in my office?

[00:34:30] It's all in my imagination. So I had to like, find some of that inspiration. And so as I've tailored some of these relationships, um, in the next year, I really want to foster some of those. And I believe that will open the door for more speaking opportunities. Um, I have a specific goal for at least 10 podcasts.

[00:34:51] And so this, here's one, let's knock that, knock that off. Awesome. Um, and I do have a course, uh, available. I created it, gosh, at the beginning of this year, actually. And then I never sold the course. Um, it's just sitting in this little hole in Kajabi. So I'd like to, um, put that out for people. It's a personal leadership course.

[00:35:15] Uh huh. That's valuable. And I love. What held you back? Why did you not release it? Sure. That's a great question. I didn't release it because I, my vision when I created the course was to do group coaching. And I still want to do that because I love the idea of helping more people at one time and also having a community, a room of people that I'm getting to speak to.

[00:35:39] Um, but I put pause on that because I really wanted to focus on the one on one side of things. I wanted to really deep dive into the current one on one clients that I had and to also increase that number more. to really hone my skills and my strengths and my abilities in the one on one phase before going into group because there's, I've experienced both.

[00:36:04] I've had group coaching and I'm, I have done one on one coaching. I prefer the one on one coaching personally. But I love the group because of the ability to reach so many people, right? And the camaraderie and the connections that you can form in the right container. So, um, I paused to put a little focus over here, but in the next year, I think it'll be a smooth little shift and grow both simultaneously.

[00:36:32] Penny Fitzgerald: Yeah. Yeah. Well, and I feel like group coaching allows the participants to learn from each other too, because a question that one person has, surely another person has it as well. And the perspective from other people is, is valuable.

[00:36:46] One thing I hear from female entrepreneurs all the time is that they don't want to feel salesy. They don't want to bug their friends and family. And they don't want to hustle and grind for sales. They may have received some bad advice telling them to post more on social media. So they post, and they post, and they post.

[00:37:08] And that doesn't feel good. So they either stop, Are inconsistent or don't convey the right message. I'm Penny Fitzgerald and I've been training women entrepreneurs for more than 18 years, leading one of the top three direct selling teams in my former company. And now I'm providing my proven language systems and tools that will help you serve your customers rather than feel like you're selling or like you're constantly working.

[00:37:33] I've put together a three day free live event to teach female entrepreneurs a radically different way of running your business. So it's not running you, a way of doing business that's in service of others. One you can be proud of, where your customers will love you, and one that helps you reach your goals.

[00:37:51] I'm holding this event starting on Monday, January 6th via Zoom. You can save your spot by going to my website that's pennyfoyourshots. com and click the green button at the top labeled Save My Spot. or just text the word serve to 319 448 3545. And I'll text you back that direct link.

[00:38:13] This course is normally 297, but I'm offering it to you for free. Don't miss your opportunity to shift your business from selling to serving. I hope you'll join me, and I can't wait to toast to your success. Cheers.

[00:38:30] You promise you're going to release it next year?

[00:38:32] Promise. Okay. Auntie Penny wants you to release that. Sounds good. I'll, I'll make you it. 

[00:38:42] Shrylle Mikkonen: Sounds good. Yeah. You said that about, uh, you know, somebody else has that question. The other thing about being in a room is, let's say I, um, I was listening to this podcast and this woman was talking about going to Disney with her family and she hired a personal escort to, like, give them this private tour through Disney and they got all these cool perks and he showed her the ins and outs and I never knew that that existed.

[00:39:08] Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. 

[00:39:09] Penny Fitzgerald: Yeah. 

[00:39:09] Shrylle Mikkonen: That's not really a dream of mine, but I use that as an example, because in groups, as we share our big dreams, you open this paradigm of like, wow, I never even knew that that was a possible dream that I could have. Like, cool. I want that for me too. Like, you're sharing about your retreat, your, um, 

[00:39:28] Penny Fitzgerald: Wine 

[00:39:29] Shrylle Mikkonen: camp.

[00:39:29] Wine camp. Like, yeah, a million, millions and millions of people have no idea that something like that exists, but they're like, that is so cool. That would be so fun. So I think that's another benefit of being in a group setting is opening your paradigms to ideas. that you never knew were possible.

[00:39:49] Expanding the dream, if you will. 

[00:39:51] Penny Fitzgerald: Yeah, for sure. Learning from each other and catching a, catching a vision. Yeah, I love that. Very cool. Okay, so what, what I haven't asked you that you want to share with people. 

[00:40:08] Shrylle Mikkonen: Hmm. I want to share with people.

[00:40:11] I mean, we really covered a lot of things that are my basis in philosophy, but the biggest thing that I Want to tell people is like, don't be afraid to, to ask questions, to reach out and ask for help and ask for support. And there's really amazing and incredible things that can happen when you connect with a coach who can hold you accountable and help you dream bigger and help you find belief in yourself and belief in what's possible and help you create the confidence to create a life that you never dreamed of or that you've always dreamed of.

[00:40:46] And, um, there's a coach for everything in the whole entire world, right? There's piano teachers, and there's basketball teachers, and there's golf coaches, and there's speaking coaches, and there's acting coaches, there's coaches for divorced women, there's coaches for young entrepreneurs, there's business coaches, there's, you know, coaches to teach you how to do coding, like whatever your interest is or your fear is, tap into that and ask the questions and then seek somebody to offer that support for you because it can change your world in ways that you never imagined.

[00:41:23] Penny Fitzgerald: Absolutely. Yeah. And the, the accountability piece I think is so big too. You know, when you've said your dream out loud, or you've, you know, shared something that you want, you've put it out there. you know, and then you'll start seeing evidence for, Oh, this is how it's going to, you know, I can see it. And your coach believes in you and believes in that dream too, and can help you help guide you through the what ifs and the fears and how to release some of that.

[00:41:51] So you can move. One step closer toward that thing. 

[00:41:54] Shrylle Mikkonen: Help 

[00:41:55] Penny Fitzgerald: you 

[00:41:57] Shrylle Mikkonen: the beliefs and help you see what's getting in your way. Sometimes on the couch has no idea that they're in the monotony or that there's things missing or that they're holding themselves back. You don't even know that you're scared or what you're scared of because you're not asking those questions.

[00:42:13] And that's a good coach is going to ask the right questions, not give you the answers, but help. Lead the horse to water and help guide you to your own answers to really find that alignment and set your soul on fire and find passion and purpose in your life and to enjoy it and make it fun. 

[00:42:35] Penny Fitzgerald: Absolutely.

[00:42:36] Yeah. Okay, Cheryl. One thing I always ask my guests at the end of every episode is what's your favorite cocktail or a glass of wine? What, what do you like to enjoy as an adult beverage? 

[00:42:49] Shrylle Mikkonen: Hmm. Well, I don't know if I, I mean, I've got a cup of coffee right here, but it's a little early for wine. 

[00:42:59] Penny Fitzgerald: It's lunchtime.

[00:43:00] Shrylle Mikkonen: Um, if I'm drinking wine, you're going to find me drinking a Pinot Noir. Okay. I really know next to nothing about wine. Um, so maybe I could broaden my horizons with my new friend. Happy to help. Um, but usually you'll find me sipping on a delicious craft beer or a gin, a light gin cocktail of some kind. Oh 

[00:43:26] Penny Fitzgerald: yeah.

[00:43:26] Summertime thing. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. What's your favorite craft beer? 

[00:43:32] Shrylle Mikkonen: Oh, gosh. 

[00:43:33] Penny Fitzgerald: Do you lean more towards like the IPA, the bitter or, or more? My husband kind 

[00:43:37] Shrylle Mikkonen: of always teases me because I, in the summertime, I really liked the IPAs. Yes. Refreshing. But as soon as like, school season fall starts to hit you'll find me drinking a nut brown ale or the stouts or the some Oktoberfest but more of those brown stout child beers and that you are my people Cheers.

[00:44:03] Penny Fitzgerald: Yeah. Cheers. Yeah. Water right now. Yeah.

[00:44:11] Oh, that's fun. Yeah. I switched between summer and winter to like summertime. If I'm drinking wine, it's going to be a crisp white or if it's beer, it's IPA. I don't drink beer very often, but you know, when in Rome or, or Oktoberfest or wherever you are, you can drink that. But yeah, I'm a stout girl too. I love the big black ales and yeah.

[00:44:35] Shrylle Mikkonen: Is, uh, wine generally your go to? Um, yeah. Has it always been, or was it just grew with your business? 

[00:44:43] Penny Fitzgerald: It kind of grew with my business. I mean, I started, um, drinking wine with. Um, my sister in law, who wasn't my sister in law yet, um, back, oh gosh, 25 years ago or so, you know, I went to a, an event for work, you know, with clients and you're out whining and dining them literally.

[00:45:05] And my boss ordered a bottle of wine and it was a red and I had not, I mean, my experience with wine at that point was Seagram's Golden Wine Coolers. That tells you anything. Yeah. So that was it. So, you know, we're at this dinner with clients and you're trying to be cool, you know, and luckily I'm sitting next to him.

[00:45:24] I'm like, this is warm.

[00:45:31] Yeah, I had a lot to learn. So that's, that's kind of why I started, you know, testing out what, what's wine all about and learning about it and stuff. So, um, my sister in law, Shelly, and I would have wine together and I guess just learned about it. And then when Jeff and I got married, we went on a trip to, um, we had point airline points, you know, for, um, We had to use by the end of the year, they were expiring and let's go to wine country.

[00:45:58] It's, it sounds romantic. It's really, so we went to, we went to California to Napa Sonoma and you know, we thought it was going to be this cheap trip and it ended up being the most expensive trip we've ever been on because we, I mean, we had, um, 16 cases of wine arrived within the next couple of weeks that we had shipped home.

[00:46:20] And we joined like seven wine clubs and we went all in and yeah, and so it begins and so it began. Yeah, we, yeah, we went off the deep end there for a minute, but for maybe longer, but yeah, I, I love wine obviously, but, um, I do like a good cocktail too. 

[00:46:43] Shrylle Mikkonen: That's a fun little, fun little way to put the, a fun little question to ask at the end.

[00:46:51] Penny Fitzgerald: Yeah. Yeah. So what, do you have a memory with girlfriends, like having a good time chatting over wine or, or a cocktail? 

[00:46:59] Shrylle Mikkonen: Oh gosh, I have a core group of girlfriends who I've been friends with since. We met between like 2007 and 2009, and we still every year get together at least once a year, sometimes twice, um, and we play and do crafts and sing music and dance and, um, have a few cocktails.

[00:47:21] And so I've got oodles of memories with, with that group of girls. 

[00:47:26] Penny Fitzgerald: I love that. Girlfriends are so important. 

[00:47:31] Shrylle Mikkonen: Yeah. You know, they're on the other side of the state now, and I'm so grateful for Facebook and Messenger and FaceTime. Sometimes we'll Skype together, excuse me, but it really isn't the same as face to face, in person connection with the girls.

[00:47:48] Penny Fitzgerald: Yeah, especially if you are able to do like an overnight or, uh, you know, a weekend together, that's always so restorative. 

[00:47:56] Shrylle Mikkonen: Mm hmm. I, I hosted in April. Uh, the girls all came out here and we had a little slumber party for a couple days and Oh, nice. Some of the things I mentioned, karaoke, crafts, bike riding, all the fun stuff.

[00:48:11] Penny Fitzgerald: Awesome. Love that. Yeah. That's another thing we need to do more of is time like that with girls. They're girls. Mm hmm. 

[00:48:19] Shrylle Mikkonen: Mm hmm. It's hard to plan, but even if you can ask your girlfriend to go grocery shopping with you, like if you have a blessing and they're in your town, just having someone to do errands with is, yeah, come sit on the couch with me while I watch TV and fold laundry.

[00:48:35] Penny Fitzgerald: Cool! Count me in! Yeah, talk with me. Yeah, let's go. Totally. Nice. Okay. SShryllele, where can people find you to connect if they're curious about your courses or your coaching one on one? And, um, like where, where will people find you? 

[00:48:55] Shrylle Mikkonen: Sure. Um, the place I'm most active is on Facebook. So facebook. com slash Shrylle dot Mikkonen.

[00:49:02] My name is kind of a mouthful, but, 

[00:49:05] Penny Fitzgerald: and how, like, go ahead and spell it for people. Cause if they're just listening and aren't watching on YouTube, they won't see you. You're spelling 

[00:49:12] Shrylle Mikkonen: sure. 

[00:49:13] Penny Fitzgerald: I'll include it in the show notes too, though. If you guys want to see it, you can check out the show notes. 

[00:49:18] Shrylle Mikkonen: Perfect. So my name is spelled S H R Y L L E period.

[00:49:24] And then my last name, Mikkonen, M I K K O N E N. So, there's not too many Shrylles out there that spell it that way, so if you figure out how to spell Shrylle, you'll probably find me. Um, and I do have a website as well, it's alignlifeworks. com. That's a little easier to spell. And, uh, my Facebook is linked there, so reach out, send me a message.

[00:49:48] If you want to chat or connect or, um, you want help, I do offer one on one coaching. Um, I have single coaching sessions available. www. alignlifeworks. com If you're looking for somebody to come speak at, uh, either a corporate event or to your small business team or, um, at a private retreat, I'd love to, to contribute there and, um, collaborate and see how I can be supportive.

[00:50:14] Penny Fitzgerald: Awesome. Thank you so much, Shrylle. It's been really great meeting you and getting to know you a little bit. Appreciate it. Appreciate your time. 

[00:50:22] Shrylle Mikkonen: Likewise. I'm glad we could connect and I'm excited to listen to a little bit more of your podcast and 

[00:50:28] Penny Fitzgerald: see 

[00:50:30] Shrylle Mikkonen: where else our new friendship takes us, Penny. 

[00:50:32] Penny Fitzgerald: Yeah, for sure.

[00:50:34] Absolutely. All right. Well, thank you so much. 

[00:50:37] Have a great rest of your day. Yes. Bye bye.