Meet Jalene E. Murphy

We recently connected with Jalene E. Murphy and have shared our conversation below.

Jalene E. , we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

Since this is a two-part question, I will answer them separately.

On confidence. When I stretch myself beyond my skill set, I recognize the importance of looking inside for courage and outside for reassurance. With a nudge, a push, a few gentle words of encouragement…I take the steps.

For example, I am venturing into public speaking, an area that isn’t familiar to me. To ease into this, I’ll approach opportunities where I feel most at home, such as local libraries. With Pride Month in June, I plan to connect with libraries to inquire about speaking at their events. As a proud member of the LGBTQIAS+ community and someone who has a deep appreciation for libraries, I feel empowered to share my perspective and support others in these welcoming and inclusive environments.
These steps in my speaking journey involve taking small, manageable steps that will build my confidence and help me grow into a more effective and engaging speaker.

On self-esteem. Over the past 15 years, I have undertaken a transformative journey to discover my true self. Along the way, I uncovered the profound intersection of self-love and self-acceptance – where inner peace resides.
Once I deeply understood my foundational self, my self-esteem became unshakeable. Self-understanding became my steadfast rock. Embracing myself allows me to stand tall in my worth and value.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Hi! I am Jalene E. Murphy, the author of Modern Day Courage, a speaker, and a personal courage ACTivist living on the Prairies of Canada.

Recently, I had the honor of speaking to 150 women at the Inspire and Awaken Wellness Summit at the Art Gallery of Alberta. Sharing my story of living authentically inspired me to pursue more public speaking opportunities. Despite trembling legs and a dry mouth, I was determined to speak up, sharing with others so they could summon the courage to take the difficult steps necessary for change.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Taking theatre classes in high school profoundly helped me understand how energy and cadence can be woven into sentences. Every word carries weight in theatre, and how you deliver those words can create an impact. Cadence is also crucial in communication. By being playful with pacing, pauses, and emphasis, I learned how to create tension and evoke emotions. This awareness has not only improved my public speaking but also enriched my writing.

Participating in the Toastmasters International program taught me the essentials of writing and public speaking. It’s the most cost-effective way to develop these skills. The foundation of my first book, Modern Day Courage, was built upon the speeches I crafted at Toastmasters. This program is open to anyone over 18 years old. I didn’t join the program until my late 30s, so it’s never too late to start! I am still part of a club today.

The final point I’d like to share is deeply personal: I knew when to ask for help. In our North American society, there is often a stigma attached to seeking support, as it can be perceived as a sign of weakness or an inability. This is a harmful myth. The truth is we are not meant to navigate difficult situations alone. When I found myself in a mental health challenge, it was my close network and therapist who helped me through it. I share this part of my life in Modern Day Courage.

Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?

Focus on your strengths and see support in areas where you may be less skilled. Leverage your capabilities while outsourcing tasks that frustrate you.

For example, I am not particularly tech-savvy, so I partner with an incredible graphic artist in the Philippines. He is the wizard who built my website, designed my e-newsletters, and created my “Art and Quote of the Day” Instagram posts. His expertise and access to essential equipment and tools help me in my weaker technology areas. His help allows me to invest my time and energy in concentrating on writing and public speaking and honing those skills.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

@joncrode (Jon Rode)

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