Focus on what you control, not what you wish would happen

"The loop" refers to Evans' Magic Loop framework: a 5-step process for building manager partnerships to advance your career.

What your manager should do and $4 will get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks. The point of this loop is it's in your control.

Context note: In product management career development conversations, "axis" refers to a conceptual chart mapping what you can control versus what you cannot control.

If you drew an access of what you control and what you cannot control, as you're starting your career, most of the work that you're doing is in what you control. As you start becoming mid-senior, I see the conversation shifts from what can I do to why is the organization not doing this for me?

Whether you are focusing on things you control or whether you're focusing on things that are beyond your control. Second, what's your relationship with change? And third is how you see yourself.

The way to get promoted is to not want it too badly. It is about you have to focus on the impact. Are you working on the right things that will have the right outcome for the business? Because if you are and if you are giving it to your 100%, that will be visible.