"I WISH I could take a year off to pursue my dreams. But, alas, I've got too many commitments tying me down.

"Moreover, I can't afford to quit my job and take so much time off."

I'm sure many of you have either felt like this, or know people who share similar thoughts.

I know of a few mid-career executives who took no-pay leave, and dedicated a year or more of their lives to do that "one" thing they have always wanted to do.

A former client of mine took time off to write a book; a family friend went off to research religion; a colleague went backpacking around the world.

There are obviously many people who harbour a deep urge to take that one big break, but lack the means to do so.

This "dream break" can come in many forms. For some, it may involve playing in a band and becoming a performing star. (Actually, that's what I would love to do.)

For others, it can take the form of being a missionary and preaching one's faith to people in far-flung corners of the world.

I know of others who answered the call to do charitable work, and took a year out to help the less fortunate, and to "give back" to the community.

Or it can be a simple dream, such as improving one's game. Many of my golf kakis, for instance, wish they could take time off to immerse themselves in the sport, spending time to improve their swing, and getting their handicap down to single figures.

Sure, some of you may think that all these examples of personal pursuits can be done on weekends, or on a part-time basis.

But I was reminded recently that such arrangements would not quite cut it.

A friend of mine is convinced that, with the current retirement age at 62, and with potential extensions to 65 and beyond, many people are facing the very real possibility of a "burnout".

After all, working 40 years or more at a stretch can take its toll.

Already, many of us are resigned to the fact that we will probably work till our retirement. We will then withdraw our CPF - or what's left of it - and spend it on pursuing our cherished "dreams".

But, by then, chances are that we may be too old to hone our golfing skills, to shoot below 80 for a round of 18 holes.

And there will be no chance in the world for geriatric musicians to score a gig.

Let's not forget the ailments that are likely to surface by then. We may not be physically fit to serve the community, let alone travel to another country to help the underprivileged.

So, here's my suggestion: Wouldn't it be great if we could take some time off while we are still in the prime of our lives?

You may think: What about the loans we still have to service? What about our children's education? If we stopped working, how would we afford our present lifestyles?

Well, perhaps we could devise a formula for calculating a "subsistence" income that can be shared between the Government and employers, and paid out to employees during their "sabbaticals"?

These could range from six months to a year. This assurance of support would be greatly appreciated by those who qualify for this "timeout".

A well-deserved break, after our first 20 years of work, will also significantly refresh us and improve our productivity.

Wishful thinking, you might say. You never know. If this cannot become a reality in my lifetime, then I'm happy to wish it for the next generation.

In the meantime, my neighbours will just have to bear with my nightly concert-performance- in-the-shower for a little while longer.

myp@sph.com.sg

The writer is a senior vice-president of the SPH marketing division and the general manager of SPH NewMedia for Zapcode.

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