Get Unreal with Dr. Ronda Beaman

March 26, 2012 - PRLog -- Author Ronda Beaman knows a little bit about finding the path to success through uncommon means. By thinking and acting as unconventionally as any fantasy heroine, this energetic fitness "boot camp" leader was initially diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 21 years ago, but has gone on to defy the odds and today displays no visible signs of the degenerative disease.

In these days of fantasy heroes like Harry Potter and The Hunger Games protagonist Katniss Everdeen, our world looks to the fantastic and extraordinary as an escape from the conventions of "real life." But by borrowing a page or two from the book of unreality, Dr. Beaman believes that individuals can break barriers and reach for the seemingly impossible.

"When I was told that MS was a progressive, degenerative disease that would slowly degrade my life, I refused to bow to that prognosis," says Dr. Beaman, the author of Little Miss Merit Badge, a heartwarming collection of stories that showcases her belief in looking to the unreal to make a difference in her life. Not only is Dr. Beaman the first person in her family to attend college, she has gone on to earn a Ph.D. and to become a nationally award-winning professor. She is also the mother of USA Today's "Most Creative Family in America."

Dr. Beaman believes that achieving these successes is due in large part to her philosophy of "getting unreal," an approach that she says has fueled many of the greatest breakthroughs in human history. From the visionary patriots of the American Revolution to the groundbreaking brilliance of Steve Jobs, discarding the bonds of reality has proven time and again to result in leaps forward both individually and for humanity.

"Getting unreal is the opposite of what we're told to do by parents, teachers, bosses, and other authorities," says Dr. Beaman, who outlines five ways to turn the seemingly impossible into reality.
·         Bully-Proof Vest. We all know there are people out there who try deliberately to diminish us or erode our optimism. So channel your inner superhero. In fiction, superheroes' everyday personas are traditionally ordinary and even flawed – they tend to be regular people trying to get along and do things right. But their post-costume-change alter egos are impervious to evildoings. So put on your bully-proof vest and become the superhero inside of you
·         Life-Lies. Write your own story. Yes, life is filled with sadness, heartache, and adversity; pessimism is actually a more accurate world view than optimism. But do we need to live that way? Creating your own positivity net can help you forget your woes and focus on a happier future. Your Life-Lie might not be a true account of your experiences, but your happiness is real.
·         Kidnap You Inner Kid. Spend time with the child you used to be and that youngster will become a greater part of who you are. Research suggests that focusing on who you were as a child can make you happier and more successful today.
·         Don't Believe It and You Might Achieve It. Make a point of a little craziness. Shock people. Think of something important you want to achieve. Then make a list of reasons that other people believe it can't be done. Next, refuse to believe that reasoning. Don't listen to them, and a new world will emerge in front of you. You can delude your way to greatness.
·         Blast the Past. Rewrite history. If old baggage is weighing you down, discard it – use a little dynamite if necessary –and build a new, fresh life in its place.

Creative thinkers like Ronda Beaman aren't constrained by the laws of reality that govern most of us, and her novel approach to razing the barriers of conventional thinking has led to her many successes and positive life outlook. Take a chance. Reevaluate. Dr. Beaman's Get Unreal approach could be your formula for uncommon success.

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Dr. Ronda Beaman is Chief Creative Officer at PEAK Learning, Inc. an international research and consulting firm that helps companies and people around the world become more resilient. She is an award winning professor at California Polytechnic University and her family was named America’s Most Creative Family by USA Today. Her new memoir, “Little Miss Merit Badge” chronicles her use of over-achievement to get through the tough stuff of her childhood.