Talk on purpose and self actualization vis-a-vis law

You come from a good college, go to a good law school, and enter a prestigious firm. You try and become the best first year associate you can be, then the best second year, then third year, then you try to make partner. Years down the line you're partner at a prestigious firm, you're in your mid 40s, and you realize you have finally crossed the finish line of chasing after the next best thing.

But what if that next best thing was never the next best thing for you? You finished the race, but it was the wrong race.