I've chosen to step down from the IESG early - my term would normally end at the spring IETF 2004. This was not an easy decision to make, especially since I really enjoy the learning aspects - being exposed to a much wider range of issues than I would otherwise - as well as being able to help and guide working groups and WG chairs. However, I feel that over the last 6 months or so I've become less and less able to make forward progress, with even my simple tasks taking months to complete. Due to the workload I've also lost the ability to make significant contributions to the IETF on technical issues that I think are quite important for the future of the Internet, which I find frustrating. Considering this, I feel that the community would be better served by having the opportunity to find someone else to hold the AD post for the remainder of my term. The only realistic alternative would have been to sacrifice more of nights and weekends to try to make some forward progress, but I'd prefer to not encroach further on the time I have for family and friends. To make sure there isn't any confusion: this is a personal decision. My management at Sun has provided full support for my being on the IESG and they would be very willing to continue to do so. I'll continue being active in the IETF - being able to spend more time on important technical issues. Finally I'd like to thank my co-AD Thomas, all of the IESG and IAB members, WG chairs, and other participants I've had a pleasure to work with; it's been a very rewarding experience and if there were only more hours in a day I would have liked to continue. Erik