Daddy, I'm TRYING!

​By Brad Thomason
 
 
The four-year-old wanted ice cream.  On this point, there could be no question.  She had declared her great hunger, demanded to be served, even resorted to asking and saying please.  Nothing.
 
So now, with all her might, she pushed on her father’s leg, to propel him into the kitchen, to get her the ice cream that was hers, by right.  Father alternately looked downward with affection at his stubborn offspring, and then with bemusement to the rest of the adults present.  Not moving, of course.
 
In final desperation, her strength fading, and hope with it, she cried out, “Daddy, I’m trying!”
 
Your old science book defines work as mass times distance.  As the mass – Daddy – was moving no distance, no work was being done; irrespective of great desire and even the various efforts.
 
Really, really wanting your retirement finances to go well is a good precursor to putting in the work to make it happen.  It is not, however, even a step in that direction; much less the whole matter itself. 
 
The four-year-old eventually got her ice cream.  But no one that I ever knew of retired comfortably simply on the basis of a declaration - impassioned, or otherwise - that they were trying.  Even really trying.