The Hidden Path to Purpose: How One Man’s Struggles Built a Global Legacy

Let’s take a moment to understand the significance of purpose through the journey of a person who crafted his life story amid life’s ups and downs, constantly figuring things out along the way. His path was not paved with certainty but shaped by challenges, failures, and perseverance. Ultimately, through this process, he found his purpose and built an empire that would stand the test of time. This story is a testament to the power of persistence and reflection, and how, through life's many twists, we can all find our true calling.

Imagine being just five years old and suddenly being asked to grow up faster than anyone should. At an age when most kids are still figuring out how to tie their shoes, life throws responsibilities at you that would weigh heavy on anyone. This was the reality for a young boy who had to step up and become the rock of his family. When his father passed away, it was no longer just about playtime and fun—it was about survival. His mother was left to raise him and his siblings, and he found himself in a position where he had to take care of them. At five, he started cooking meals—bread, vegetables, even meat—just to make sure no one went hungry. It wasn’t something he loved, but it was something he had to do. And little did he know, this responsibility would mark the beginning of something much bigger.

Can you feel the weight of this boy’s early years? Can you sense where this might be going?

Here’s the thing: this person didn’t have a clear purpose right away. Life didn’t hand him a grand plan. His journey was messy, full of trial, error, and failure. When his mother remarried, things didn’t get any easier. But through all the hardships, he didn’t give up. He kept trying, looking for something that would feel right. He worked as a painter, a fireman, even an insurance salesman. He tried studying law, but a disaster in court shut that chapter down. He didn’t know what his purpose was yet, but each failure pushed him closer to understanding who he truly was.

Ever get frustrated when things don’t go as planned? This person didn’t have it all figured out when he was young. But he didn’t let failure stop him. Instead, he embraced it. He got his hands dirty, learned from every mistake, and kept moving forward, reflecting on each experience. Deep down, he knew that sometimes the hard lessons are the ones that teach you the most about who you really are.

What if I told you the story was only beginning?

By his 40s, things began to shift. He wasn’t just running a small service station in Kentucky—he was cooking meals for travellers who needed a quick bite. It wasn’t supposed to be the start of a restaurant, but word spread. People loved his food, and little by little, his small operation grew into a restaurant of his own. He didn’t realize it at the time, but this was the beginning of something much bigger. This was where his purpose began to take shape—but it was still a work in progress. More hardships were coming.

Soon, life threw another curveball: his restaurant burned down. Gas rationing during the war made things harder. But instead of quitting, he got creative. What if he could share his recipe without all the restaurant disasters? That’s when he decided to franchise his fried chicken.

At first, no one wanted to take a chance on him. Restaurant owners turned him away, one by one. But eventually, someone gave him a shot. With his special pressure fryer, he perfected the recipe, and suddenly, his fried chicken became famous. His business started growing, and so did his brand. But here’s the real lesson: Sanders didn’t just rest on his laurels. He kept learning, evolving, and improving what he had. Purpose wasn’t something that showed up overnight—it was something he built, step by step, through persistence and a willingness to adapt.

Are you beginning to see it now? The true power of this journey?

As his company grew, so did the pressure. By the time he was in his 70’s, managing the business became too much. So, he decided to sell to a group of investors. But he didn’t walk away entirely—he stayed on as the brand ambassador, traveling the country to promote his chicken. He continued influencing the company, making sure it stayed true to its roots and keeping the brand growing. His contributions were undeniable, even though he didn’t own the company anymore.

But even as things were taking off, life wasn’t all smooth sailing. There were lawsuits, new restaurant ventures that didn’t work out, and some more setbacks. He even opened another restaurant in Shelbyville, named after his second wife, but that too failed. Yet, through all of this, he didn’t give up. He stayed true to his purpose and kept moving forward.

Still intrigued? There's more to this story than meets the eye...

In 1980, his health declined, he didn’t stop working. He continued to promote his brand, still wearing his signature white suit. He passed away later that year, at 90 years old. By then, his chicken had spread to thousands of locations worldwide. He had found his purpose, and it was far greater than he could have imagined.

So, who was this man? He wasn’t someone who figured out his purpose early in life. He didn’t have it all worked out from the start. But through years of struggle, failure, and reflection, he found something he loved, something he was good at, and he made it his life’s work.

This man was Colonel Harland Sanders, the founder of KFC. His story is proof that finding your purpose doesn’t happen in an instant. Sometimes it takes a lifetime of trial and error, getting your hands dirty, learning from mistakes, and pushing through failure. But the most important part is to never give up.

The Importance of Purpose: Learning from Sanders’ Journey

Colonel Sanders’ journey teaches us that purpose isn’t something that always comes instantly or easily. It often takes time to discover, and that’s okay. In fact, finding purpose is a process of trial and reflection. Once we find it, purpose becomes a guide that helps us understand where we’re going in life. It gives us direction, helps us focus on what matters most, and prevents us from just going through the motions. Our brains are wired to conserve energy, so we tend to fall back on habits and patterns to get through the day. While these habits help us manage routine tasks quickly, they can also leave us feeling stuck if we don’t know the “why” behind what we’re doing. Without a clear purpose, it’s easy to go on autopilot, missing out on growth and fulfilment. That’s why having a clear purpose is so important—it helps us break free from routine and make decisions that truly matter.

Colonel Sanders’ journey shows that purpose often takes time to discover, and that’s perfectly fine. It’s normal for purpose to unfold slowly as you learn about yourself. Having a clear purpose sharpens our focus and helps us stay on track. When you know what you’re working toward, distractions don’t have as much power over you. Colonel Sanders didn’t give up when life got tough. He kept refining his chicken recipe, and eventually, he created the global brand we know today. His story shows that purpose keeps us motivated, even through setbacks, because it helps us stay focused on what matters most. When you have a clear goal, you’re more likely to keep going when times are hard.

Purpose also impacts how we feel. When we work toward something meaningful to us, our brains release positive chemicals that make us feel good. This is what drives us to keep going. Sanders didn’t stop because he believed in his purpose. Every step forward brought him closer to success, and the more he worked at it, the more fulfilment he found. Purpose helps us stay resilient, even when things don’t go as planned.

Finding Purpose: Lessons from Colonel Sanders’ Journey

Finding your purpose is like discovering a roadmap to a fulfilling life. We need to remind ourselves that It’s not something that happens instantly, but it’s worth the effort. Purpose gives our actions meaning, helps us stay focused, and filters out distractions. When we’re aligned with our purpose, we experience a state of flow, where everything feels effortless and we’re completely immersed in what we’re doing. It’s like time flies because we’re doing something that truly matters to us.

But how do we find our purpose? One way is through the Japanese concept of Ikigai, which is the reason you wake up every day—the “reason for being.” It’s where four important parts of your life come together:

1. What You Love (Passion) – This is about doing things that excite you. What makes you happy? What do you lose track of time doing? Passion fuels purpose and makes us feel alive.
2. What You’re Good At (Skill) – What are your strengths? When you focus on what you’re good at, you build confidence and become better at what you do.
3. What the World Needs (Mission) – How can your skills and passion make a difference? Helping others gives your life meaning and can make you feel happier.
4. What You Can Be Paid For (Vocation) – Purpose should also sustain you. Find a way to make a living by doing what you love.

When you bring these four elements together, you create a sense of purpose that pushes you forward. Colonel Sanders’ life is a great example. He didn’t find his purpose right away. He tried different things—working as a fireman, running a gas station, and selling insurance—but none of them were the right fit. It wasn’t until his 60s that he finally found his passion: cooking and sharing his food. This was the moment he discovered what he loved to do, what he was good at, and what the world needed. He turned his passion into a global career.

His story teaches us that purpose doesn’t always happen overnight. It’s normal if it takes time. He didn’t give up, even when he faced failure. He stayed persistent and kept working on what he loved, and eventually, he built a global brand. Purpose often comes through trial and error, and it’s something you find by doing, not just thinking about it. Sanders kept going, constantly improving, and never losing sight of his dream.

Getting Started: A Journey of Reflection and Action

To start finding your purpose, reflect on your own Ikigai. What excites you? What are your strengths? What does the world need from you? And how can you turn that into something that supports you? It’s perfectly fine if you don’t have all the answers right now. Like Sanders, it may take years of trial and error before you find your purpose. But every experience you have is a step toward discovering it.

The key to finding your purpose is being open to new experiences, reflecting on what brings you joy, and staying committed to your passions. Sometimes, you’ll fail, but it’s important to learn from those failures. The more you try, the closer you’ll get to discovering what truly drives you.

Just like Colonel Sanders, keep exploring, reflecting on what you love, and trying new things. Purpose may not always come easily, but once you find it, life becomes more meaningful, motivating, and fulfilling. Purpose will guide you, help you stay focused, and lead you to a life full of rewards. And remember, it’s not just about what you do—it’s about making it meaningful and helping others along the way. Finding your purpose is an ongoing journey, but it’s worth every step.

Conclusion: Crafting Your Story with Purpose

The journey to creating your life’s story starts with imagining the best version of yourself. Think about who you want to be, what your ideal life looks like, and what truly matters to you. At first, this might seem difficult—there are so many “what-ifs” and external pressures that can make it hard to focus. But remember, you are the author of your own story. It starts with the decision to become the best version of yourself right now. From there, channel your energy, time, and attention toward the things, places, and people that align with your vision. They will help you build the life you desire.

There’s a difference between just surviving and truly living. Surviving means reacting to life’s demands and external pressures. But truly living means being intentional with your choices. How often do we check off boxes just to feel accomplished? A lot of this comes from the way we’ve been taught to think about success. But that mindset can leave us feeling drained and unfulfilled. Life isn’t just a straight path from birth to death—it’s shaped by the choices we make along the way. Embrace the journey, and let your decisions guide you toward a life full of meaning, happiness, and fulfilment.

Living fully means enjoying the journey, not just focusing on one goal. If you think “I’ll only be happy when I reach this goal,” you might be disappointed when life doesn’t follow your plan. Life is about savouring the process, not just reaching the destination.

Your life is your story, waiting for you to fill it with meaning and purpose. That story starts with clarity—knowing what truly matters to you. Understanding your "why" makes the journey clearer and helps you make decisions that move you toward your goals. The path to purpose isn’t always straight; it’s full of challenges and detours. But when you know your purpose, everything else becomes easier to navigate, and each choice feels more intentional.

A story illustrates this beautifully. A businessman on holiday goes fishing with a local fisherman. Curious about the fisherman’s life, he asks how he spends his days. The fisherman replies, “I fish a little in the morning, catch enough for my family, and then we cook, laugh around the fire, and enjoy each other’s company.” The businessman scoffs at this simplicity and suggests, “Why not fish all day and sell the surplus at the market?”

Puzzled, the fisherman asks, “Why would I do that?” The businessman explains, “With the extra money, you could hire friends to fish with you and catch even more.” The fisherman again inquires, “Why would I do that?” The businessman continues, detailing a grand plan: “You could start a company, maybe even a canning factory, and eventually sell it for a fortune.”

Once more, the fisherman asks, “Why would I do that?” The businessman concludes, “Because then you could fish a little in the morning and spend the rest of your time with your family around the fire.” The fisherman, looking at the businessman, simply asks, “What do you think I am doing now?”

Reflect on this: What’s truly meaningful to you? What kind of story do you want to tell?

Call to Action:

1.      Start with a goal or desire. Ask "Why?" five times to explore the underlying reasons behind this goal. Each answer should build on the previous one. Example:

a.      Why do I want to become a successful entrepreneur? To have financial freedom.

b.      Why do I want financial freedom? So I can have more time with my family.

c.      Why do I want to spend more time with my family? Because I value strong family connections and quality time.

d.      Why do I value strong family connections? It gives me a sense of fulfilment and emotional security.

e.      Why do I want fulfilment and emotional security? Because it aligns with my core values of love and peace.

2.      Identify the version of yourself who already has achieved the goals you want. By identifying the version of yourself who has already achieved your goals, you create a concrete connection between your current actions and your deeper purpose. The future self-visualization helps you clarify what truly matters to you, what your core values are, and what your purpose in life could be

3.      What specific actions can I take today to begin living in alignment with the values and behaviours of my future self? This version makes it more immediate and actionable, prompting the person to focus on concrete steps they can begin implementing right now to bridge the gap between their current self and their envisioned future self.