The older you get, the more likely you are to feel you are not reaching your goals and dreams in life, according to a nationwide online poll conducted by AGF.

Fully 34% 56 to 65 year-olds report they haven’t taken action on their goals and dreams, compared to just 17% of total respondents.

The results are based on 18,284 responses nationwide from January 14 to January 28, 2003.

The closer they are to retirement, Canadians increasingly say they have difficulty identifying and planning how they want to spend their time and money.

According to the poll, as they age Canadians say they have less personal time, feel more burdened by work, are less confident in their investment plans and increasingly feel they are not realizing their goals and dreams.

“For many people, satisfaction is a mirage that always exists somewhere in the distance — it becomes unattainable,” said Randy Van Der Starren, senior vice president, AGF. “These findings highlight the need to define what’s important in your life no matter how old you are, and to plan your personal goals, not just your investment goals.”

The survey was part of AfterWorks, AGF’s Lifestyle Planning Program, a comprehensive program that helps investment advisors and investors to identify their personal goals and dreams beyond work.