I would like to comment on the article entitled: “Canadians not living dreams of youth, poll finds” by Martha Worboy
The survey concluded, “Four in 10 Canadians (41 per cent) surveyed said education played a major role in determining their current occupation and 30 per cent said employment opportunity factored into their career choice.” Alan Kerns expounded that people feel a need to allow outside forces to dictate their career and not even consider pursuing their dreams because they intend to reach find happier times at retirement, he calls “Freedom 55” He also explains that people seek jobs because of financial rewards, and do not consider personal “core elements.”

Unfortunately, the study backs up the myth of retirement, and how people avoid pursuing their dreams to wait for the magical happiness at retirement.

The sad truth is that the myth of happiness at retirement is just that; a myth. Many people find themselves just as lost and rudderless at 55 as they were at 20. Retirement is over hyped and rarely delivers. The reason so few people do not pursue their dreams is because no one asks them to reveal their dreams, they do not consider pursuing dreams to be acceptable or reasonable, and they are restricted by training and educators to conform to what others want from them. Martha exemplifies the problem by claiming that pursuing a vocation as a doctor or lawyer is more “realistic” than pursuing their dreams. Says who?

The time to tap into your dreams is as early as possible and often, so that you will discover your “core elements” of happiness and passions and fulfill them throughout your career so that retirement becomes an extension of your happy and productive life. But someone needs to provide the avenue and encouragement for you to discover your dreams and assist you to actually achieve them. In the early years of life that opportunity falls upon parents and educators. Evidently, the study shows that parents and educators are not trying to help children and teenagers understand their dreams and are doing even less to support them to achieve them. During adulthood, a life or career coach can provide the focus and support to assist adults to discover and actually realize their dreams. But only if adults are motivated to actually pursue their dreams and they seek the help of a coach to reach their dreams.

Suffering through miserable work positions, in anticipation of the paradise waiting at retirement has not been a very worthwhile process. Maybe the study will encourage parents and educators to pay attention to their children to seek their dreams and encourage the possibility of achieving them. Maybe the study will also encourage adults to connect with their best-suited career coach to discover their inner “core elements” and actually achieve their dream career before it is too late.