Point #8, point#1, and point #10
Although, I started in IT in the mid-90's I lost everything due to the dot-com bubble, followed by the events of Sept. 11, 2001. Laid off for the 3rd time that years shortly thereafter, I was in a foreign country (Germany) with just a travel visa, which after 3 months was expiring. With no certifications or related college degree, and just a working knowledge of systems and networks, I was not able to find a job in my field. I bounced around and did odd jobs here and there and used all my savings and maxxed out my credit cards. It was a rough time. So, I started over.
In 2004, I started over as a systems admin for a local systems engineering company. I realized at this point, that it is all about the certifications. So, I started certifying myself. After expressing to that company I wanted to become a network engineer, they essentially told me that there were too many already and that they couldn't support any more. It might be 5 years before I could reach that. Less than 2 months later, in 2007, they helped me make that decision and let me go. I almost immediately was hired as a Systems Engineer with another local outfit and even worked with some of the same customers. I continued certifying and completed my MCSE.
They sent me to Tandberg Videoconferencing training, where I spoke with the trainer and within 6 months, in January 2011, I was hired as an instructor for the 3rd company. I was required to be Cisco Certified and started my CCNA. By December 2011, I was one to my current employer. I am now an IT Consultant for a small consulting firm. They encourage us to train and remain relelvant.
My point here is, you are correct about not being able to move up, unless you are willing to embrace #1. But by being too patient, you may miss out on too many opportunities. After being laid off as many times as I had been, I started to become very aggressive about what and where I wanted to go. My last job and my current job required several months in preparation. But I promised myself that I would stay or go on my terms.
I am now on track for CIO or CTO within several years. Not with this company, but another. There are very few vertical jumps within a single company for IT pros. It is unfortunate, but true. However, for those of us willing to make the effort to jump, the rewards can be great.
