Advice from a CEO Who Gave Up a Ten-Million-Yuan Salary

Ha Wook-yeol recounted an experience where a pre-sale right he bought for 1.6 million yuan sold for 900,000 yuan, resulting in a loss of 700,000 yuan. He emphasized how dangerous it is to invest based solely on others' advice without thorough prior research. He stated that he learned a painful lesson: investments made without proper investigation, relying only on others' recommendations, ultimately become speculation.

Ha Wook-yeol explained that there is a crucial secret for when plans don't go as intended. He advises doing one's best in the current position and waiting for the next opportunity. He emphasized the importance of finishing all tasks well to build a good track record with others.

Ha Wook-yeol confessed that he was shocked at age 43 when a health check-up revealed abnormal liver function readings, similar to his father's. His father had died of cancer at 38. Through this experience, he realized that life is more important than money, and he decided to give up his ten-million-yuan salary and resign.

Ha Wook-yeol states that financial freedom can be defined by simple arithmetic: passive income (interest, dividends, rent, etc.) must be greater than active expenses. He emphasizes that controlling consumption is the most crucial prerequisite to lowering the threshold for achieving financial freedom, explaining that reducing expenses makes financial freedom easier to attain.

Ha Wook-yeol says that successful people don't just succeed in money. He explains that life has four wheels: money (有錢), time (有閒), health (好健康), and relationships (好關係), and that the chariot of life can move forward without wavering when all four elements are present. He warns that if even one of these is lost, the balance will be broken, and eventually, the opportunity to spend money may even disappear. He emphasizes that true success comes from the harmony of these four elements.