I try to compare the beginning of my Twenties to the end of it and the difference is clear as day and night. We're almost like two different persons in terms of drive, desires, ambitions and expectations. Of course each phase has its own unique advantages and disadvantages so am always careful not to over-compare. Yet contrasting these two stages has taught me a few important lessons. The strongest highlight for me now is that virtually all expectations can be sufficiently managed given room for the passing of time.
Very few things have turned out the way I envisaged they would - some have actually turned out better. I remember how lofty the dreams were as a fresh University graduate. Those dreams are now a lot more conservative, perhaps more than is required. Call it the reality of experience. Something about not getting what we wants over a sustained period awakens us to another cold reality - we are owed absolutely nothing. That might be harsh but I believe is the biggest growth facilitator for those who embrace it.
At this age I think experience has helped in keeping my desires simple enough to be defined, and actualized. It also helps in managing outcomes even with reduced expectations. I no longer get unnecessarily thrilled at an idea when I understand that dedication and consistency is where the real test lie. There's a certain calmness that comes with maturity, which isn't far off from the way I define it anyways.
Just to be clear managing expectations doesn't mean resigning ourselves to fate while doing nothing to make meaningful changes in our lives. It is rather deliberately seeking change but acknowledging the superiority of external forces beyond our control. If we do our own parts then that in itself is a win. The desired outcome will eventually come at the appropriate time, perhaps not in the manner that we expect.