Feedback Form
Home Features Mastermind Forums About Advertise Blog Network Contact Be An Author

Lesson #3: Liven Things Up

Ted Turner Articles
Lesson #3: Liven Things Up

“I lose my self-restraint and just get up and dance sometimes,” says Turner.

Never one to pass up the opportunity to have a little fun in the high stakes and pressure-packed industry in which he works, Turner is known for his outspokenness and his willingness to add colour to even the most serious of situations. He operates in Turnerverse – what he calls his own private world.

From asking for a nationwide vote on replacing the Star-Spangled Banner with a “less-warlike” national anthem to calling Americans “some of the dumbest people in the world” to challenging his arch-enemy, Rupert Murdoch, to a televised boxing match in 1997, Turner has created a reputation for himself as a businessman who is not afraid of anything and who is willing to speak his mind and poke fun at anyone or anything that, in his mind, deserves it – even himself. “I don’t have any idea what I’m going to say. I say what comes to my mind,” he says, adding, “If I had any humility I would be perfect.”

Turner has had to develop his sense of humour over the years in order to escape not only from the stress of his everyday life but also from the fear that he might one day wind up like his father, whose inability to make light of a heavy situation led to his eventual downfall. Indeed, the numbers that Turner now deals with would be mind-blowing to his father. Watching his stock portfolio prices stream in real time over the Internet, Turner says, “Every few seconds it changes – up an eighth, down an eighth – it’s like playing a slot machine. I lose $20 million, I gain $20 million.”

As evidenced by his love of competing in dangerous sailing expeditions, Turner thrives on the adrenaline rush he gets from the unknown and unexpected. And so, both personally and professionally, he deliberately throws himself into positions of risk and possibilities by causing stirs wherever he goes. He creates controversy not only to draw attention to himself but also to wake everyone up and generate energy. And, he manages to have fun along the way.

“My son is now an ‘entrepreneur’,” says Turner. “That’s what you’re called when you don’t have a job.” An entrepreneur throughout his entire life, Turner has maintained his sense of humour despite all the setbacks he has experienced. From his father’s suicide to his sister’s death to being put on the sidelines by his own company, Turner has bounced back from each experience with the same defiant smirk on his face.

Part of his ability to have a good time lies in his willingness to embrace controversy. Moreover, it is the fact that he has attained such success all the while being as controversial as he is that makes Turner’s achievements even greater. Having been called everything from an idiot to a bigot, Turner has created a reputation for himself that is almost bigger than the networks he helped create. He is not afraid to liven things up and speak his mind no matter what the consequences and he has thus carved his own unique path to success. “I'd rather go to hell,” he says. “Heaven has got to be boring.”





Lesson 3 Liven Things Up

Like this article? Share it with your friends

Article Feedback
 Lesson 3 Liven Things Up Great site..
Commented on Lesson 3 Liven Things Up.
 Lesson 3 Liven Things Up Leave Your Feedback
article feedback

Article Feedback

To learn more about the Evan Elite Author Program please contact us.

Famous Entrepreneur Video
Ted Turner Video - Ted Turner discusses his $1 billion donation to United Nations programs, economics and the environment.
Famous Entrepreneur Video

Ted Turner Picture Ted Turner Newsletter
Get our free newsletter to learn more about Ted Turner and other famous entrepreneurs!

Name:
Email:





Evan Elite Authors
Dianne Crampton  
George Ludwig  
Kim Castle  
Evan Elite Authors

Become An Author
Have you written articles that would be of value to entrepreneurs? Become an expert on our site by publishing them! Expose yourself to a wide audience, drive more traffic to your website and get more sales! Click Here for details.
Become An Author

Evan's Latest Video
Modeling the Masters: Learn the true secrets behind Walt Disney's business success factors & grow your company! Video produced by Phanta Media
Evan's Latest Video

Business Opportunities
"Learn straight from Evan how you can Make a Full Time Income (And More) from a Website"

How to Start An Online Business

Click Here To Learn More
Business Opportunities



Evan's Newsletter
Get advice & tips from famous business owners, new articles by entrepreneur experts, my latest website updates, & special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Name:
Email:
Evan`s Newsletter

Free Downloads
Balanced Leadership Icon Balanced Leadership
Branding The Product Icon Branding The Product
Management vs. Leadership Icon Management vs. Leadership
Essence of Leaders Icon Essence of Leaders
Business Plan Sample Icon Business Plan Sample
Free Downloads - Complete List

Entrepreneur Tools and Guides
Top 50 Blogs For Startups To Watch In 2009
Top 50 Blogs For Startups
Top Blogs To Watch In 2009
 
More PR Resources
More PR Resources
Press Release Builder
 
Entrepreneur Tools and Guides

SEO For Africa
SEO For Africa
Akpene Ata Adéta, Togo,
Akpene Ata
Adéta, Togo
SEO For Africa

If I Were A Startup...
Gord Hotchkiss, $113k to $1.5 Mil in 5 years
Gord Hotchkiss
$113k to $1.5 Mil in 5 years
John Zarei and Shaan Parekh , $516k to $1.5 Mil in 2 years
John Zarei and Shaan Parekh
$516k to $1.5 Mil in 2 years
If I Were A Startup... - Complete List

Famous Entrepreneurs
Howard Schultz, Starbucks
Howard Schultz
Starbucks
David Sarnoff, RCA
Famous Entrepreneurs - Complete List

Entrepreneur Advice
T. Harv Eker, Millionaire Mind
T. Harv Eker
Millionaire Mind
Seth Godin, Ideavirus Author
Seth Godin
Ideavirus Author
Entrepreneur Advice - Complete List

Popular Articles
(Premium Authors)

     Leadership Coaching Overview
By Michael Schutzler
     Courage in the face of fear
By Michael Schutzler
     Empirical Skepticism
By Michael Schutzler

Have A Suggestion?
Toronto Salsa Classes / Toronto Salsa Lessons Email us your ideas on how to make our website more valuable! Thank you Sharon from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for your suggestions to make the newsletter look like the website and profile younger entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez and Sean Combs!
Have A Suggestion?

More Evan Carmichael
More Information