I read this and remembered a plan I had journaled when I was 30 years old. I was working in a stratified IT department that I liked pretty well and had mapped out a plan to be at director level by age 40. I left that organization at age 33, took a short term position and then one I liked even better, putting me in a lead role that could have led to something director-like. Then the company laid off most of my team and I took off. Now I am in an individual contributor position again and have just turned 40. Many times, life works against plans and it's better not to get too attached to them. Other things are accomplished in the meantime that may not look like much but in the bigger scheme, are quite meaningful.