changes for me were more life events. marriage gave me partner but it was several years living together to really understand spouse and show proper love respect understanding they deserve. honestly I was just young and naive.
life and personal goals improved for better having first child. it gave opportunity to reprioritize and focus on what most important to me. working 70-80 hour weeks was feather I felt in my cap. good to have hustle but it was first time i truly empathized with coworker who have child and not work so much. and me realized working so many hours and relentless focus on productivity not most important thing.
other important lesson from working with difficult people and bureaucracy as my employers size ballooned. had experiences with intellectual dishonesty where my contribution credited to others. felt upset but mainly learned maybe my priorities and focus would better serve in me own company. why work so hard and help someone else become director or senior staff and give me ideas to company patents? I decided to start me own company.