Gerry Harvey - Happy & Healthy

We find it fascinating listening and learning from people from all walks of life.

Whether it is life experiences from our clients or from billionaires like Gerry Harvey. They all have a story to tell and something we can all learn from.

Gerry Harvey, the co-founder and chairman of Harvey Norman turned 83 this year and from all reports is not looking to slow down any time soon.

Harvey’s net wealth is estimated to be $1.6 billion (as per Forbes). However, for many this wealth makes Harvey unrelatable and unattainable.

However, after reading a recent interview via news.com.au there are many learnings we can take from Mr Harvey.

He talks about the “blessed life” he lives.

“The money side of it, your assets, I couldn’t give a damn. At the end of the day you’ve got to be happy and healthy, nothing else matters” Harvey told news.com.au.

This is a lot easier to say with a net wealth of $1.6 billion - hahaha. However, Harvey has a point, whenever you are sick or in a dark place mentally, there is no amount of money in the world you would give to get out of your situation and be healthy and happy.

Harvey also made a statement that is invaluable to many of the retiree clients we see “If you are useful, you feel as if you are contributing to society, you’re building a business, you’re doing all sorts of things all the time. If that’s your life, you’ve got a blessed life. So I’ve got to keep remembering how lucky I am” he said to news.com.au

We see this all too often with our retiree clients, that once they finish up work, they lose their sense of value or usefulness, they feel they are not contributing to society which leads to other physiological issues. However, this is not only limited to retirees. We have an extremely successful client in finance, whom earns over $1m per annum, however they have endured a significant amount of stress and pressure from their employers over the past 10-15 years, where the client feels like they are owned by the business and are not respected. Their self worth and purpose in life is heavily linked to their job title and are finding it difficult to pull the trigger to find happiness, regain control of their life and health.

Just like us, Mr Harvey says he is constantly learning from his elders “every time I come across somebody who is over 90, I question them: ‘How did you get to 90? What exercise do you do? How’s your diet?’ Sometimes it’s a local bloke who might not even be making money, still working hard at 92. Doing a lot of exercise, his diet is good, he is happy, healthy, I’m gonna talk to him. He doesn’t have to be successful. He just has to be alive and well. In my observations, the ones that do that have a longer happier life.” he told news.com.au

People, horses and health.

Those are the things that matter more than money to one of Australia’s richest men, billionaire businessman Gerry Harvey.

What matters most to you?

Are you healthy and happy?

Do you feel useful?

Are you contributing to society?

Meet The Author

Matthew McCabe

Matthew McCabe is an expert financial planner who has been in the financial services industry for over 18 years. He specialises in supporting everyday Australians retire on their terms by making the complex seem simple.

Matthew is the founder of Newcastle Advisors, an organisation that is dedicated to empowering individuals through financial literacy and education, to ensure Australians have the tools and information to make an informed decision about their financial future.

Matthew has also been a finance expert contributor to the Newcastle Herald, Channel 7 News, Canberra Times, Starts at 60 and Hunter Headline.

Sources:

https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/leaders/the-10-wealthiest-executives-in-the-asx-300-revealed-20220725-p5b4gc

https://www.news.com.au/finance/money/wealth/gerry-harvey-on-life-health-happiness-and-losing-4-million-in-the-blink-of-an-eye/news-story/960164b5324762da69cc67175d374e5b

https://www.forbes.com/profile/gerry-harvey/?sh=1463a86c50a7

https://www.afr.com/companies/retail/how-gerry-harvey-started-again-after-alan-bond-20220118-p59p9o

https://thenewdaily.com.au/entertainment/2022/09/28/gerry-harvey-china-teals/

https://www.afr.com/companies/retail/harvey-norman-profits-sales-fall-but-results-top-expectations-20220224-p59zhv