Since I wrote that I decided that 50,000 ft isn't an open loop for me. I'm content to define my purpose in life as making the best of what comes along, and helping others along the way. Oh, and having fun doing it. I don't want to change the world; I just want to enjoy it and contribute something.

To be honest, even 40,000 ft (3-5 year goals) is just a blank page. I don't have any real plan of where I want to be then. Hell, I didn't plan to be where I am now back in 2003. But I'm happy where I am, so that's fine.

Down at 20,000 ft (Areas of Responsibility) is where it all falls apart. "Future Hazy" as the Magic 8 ball might say. They're changing. I know which ones I'm giving up, and that's fine. But I don't know, clearly, what the replacement ones are. And I can't define them in a vacuum, not least of all when my new manager can't entirely tell me either.

So there's the loops. Wide open. And I can't see how to close them just yet. I've got all the Next Actions I can do to move this forward, but until I know the outcome of the discussions and negotiations, it's an open loop, and it's one I can't close. Knowing I've done my bit doesn't help me move forward, it's all out of my hands now.

Oh well, at least in writing that I have a clearer view of the source of my frustration. Sometimes having an audience makes you understand things better for yourself.

P.S. "Outlook not so good", said the magic 8 ball. "Sure, but Microsoft still sells it!"