Hi! My name Tara Geraghty is and I live in the USA. I am a single mom with a 12-year-old daughter. I have my daughter full time and run 2 businesses so yes, life can get crazy!
Tell us about what you do and what inspired you to get started?
I founded Making Cancer Fun after my daughter survived high-risk stage 4 neuroblastoma. I had already built a successful business in the direct sales industry and openly had no intention of starting another business. However, after meeting so many parents who were suffering through a childhood cancer diagnosis and knowing I had the tools and ideas that would help them, I felt obligated to share what I knew. Making Cancer Fun: A Parents Guide is the first in a number of resources available for parents and medical professionals.
As a working mum, how do you find calm in the chaos?
The biggest challenge was acknowledging that by NOT taking time for myself I was actually hurting my daughter. I can’t be the best mom I can be when I am emotionally and physically depleted. I invest time in personal development classes and webinars, I participate in a weekly Bible study, and I recently started going back to yoga. I am most calm when I start my day with quiet time – whether that is reading, meditating, praying or journaling. It’s a daily choice to take that time for myself first, before responding to everything else that is vying for my attention.
During the times when you feel overwhelmed or lacking in motivation, what helps you get back on track?
Perspective. Sometimes spending an hour listening to my daughter talk about what she needs to talk about means household chores or emails need to wait. It’s then when I remind myself those are not as important as investing time into who she is going to become. There will be a day when she is grown and living on her own and I can empty the dishwasher all day long, but there is only a short time she is going to come home from school and share her day with me.
I also find we often look at all the things we haven’t done, or have to still do, instead of acknowledging all we have done! Even something as simple as making a list at the end of the day on what was accomplished (verse focusing on everything there is still to do) can help put things in perspective.,
What do you do to relax and unwind?
For me, time with friends is huge. I used to feel guilty going out on a Friday night to see friends. I felt I “should be” home with my daughter or at least investing that time into my business. As an extrovert, I had to acknowledge that social time refills me. It’s not “wasted” time. It’s value, refueling time, so I a be my best in the other areas of my life. Also as a single parent, it’s important for me to have those adult conversations! As I’ve gotten older I have also been more particular about the type of people I surround myself with. People who inspire me and leave me a better person because of their influence and friendship.
What has been your greatest achievement to date?
Bouncing back after a 5 year period in my 30’s that was marked by a domestic violence divorce and childhood cancer. And not just surviving, but being able to find the gifts in both of those horrific experiences. Using the practice of gratitude to transform those experiences so I didn’t end up angry and bitter but wiser and better!
What is your life motto or positive affirmation?
It’s a Bible Verse – Live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
Have you ever had a disappointment or setback that ended up leading you to something wonderful?
Many! Being in direct sales (or any type of sales!) involves a lot of no’s – a lot of rejection. Learning how to bounce back and not let a disappointment derail you, is an invaluable life skill. That bounce back ability aided me while going through childhood cancer with my daughter. A bad test result, a disappointing blood count, or just an extra rough day didn’t stop me from making it fun, practicing gratitude and bouncing back. There would be no electricity, planes, computers, or most modern conveniences if setbacks stopped those inventors. Setbacks are just learning experiences. It’s only ourselves that can choose to stay back or step back up!
Feel free to reach out to me at
Email: pinkheartinc@mail.com
You can find out more about me at
https://linkedin.com/in/tarasvoice/
website http://www.makingcancerfun.com
“The Key for Me” will motivate and empower by supporting you to find the keys to set in motional goals and aspirations to help you make a better life for yourself.