Impacting the World from Anywhere:

Success knows no age limit. The lives of Laura Ingalls Wilder and Harland Sanders (better known as Colonel Sanders of KFC fame) remind us that the seeds of greatness can bear fruit later in life, as long as persistence, preparation, and passion remain at the core. Both achieved prominence in fields far removed from their early beginnings, demonstrating that life’s wealth of experience can lay an enduring foundation for success. Their stories encourage us to embrace setbacks, nurture our talents over time, and lean into the notion that the future remains ours to shape at any age.

Laura Ingalls Wilder, widely beloved for her Little House on the Prairie book series, is an inspiring example of how persistence and preparation can set the stage for later success. Wilder didn’t publish her first book until the age of 65, drawing deeply from a life shaped by hardship, resourcefulness, and storytelling.

Born in 1867, Wilder grew up in the rugged American Midwest, experiencing firsthand the realities of pioneer life. Her youth was intertwined with adversity—from brutal winters to failed crops—but these challenges instilled in her resilience, observation, and an understanding of human fortitude. She spent years honing her storytelling skills informally, through personal letters and family tales, but it wasn’t until her later years—with encouragement from her journalist daughter, Rose—that she began writing in earnest.

Her success with the Little House books wasn’t happenstance but the culmination of a lifetime of preparation. Wilder’s vivid recounting of early frontier life resonated deeply with readers looking to connect with the simplicity and values of a rapidly changing world. Her writing is rich with lessons for all ages—lessons about gratitude, courage, and finding joy in the everyday. As Wilder herself reflected:

• “A good laugh overcomes more difficulties and dissipates more dark clouds than any other one thing.”

• “The real things haven’t changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong.”

Her late success shows that the experiences gathered over a lifetime—both joyful and painful—can ultimately converge into work with the power to inspire generations.

Harland Sanders achieved worldwide recognition as the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, but his journey was anything but smooth or straightforward. Sanders spent decades drifting from one job to another, only finding success in his 60s after years of heartache and trial. His story embodies the belief that failures are stepping stones toward something better.

Born in 1890 in rural Indiana, Sanders left school at the age of 12 after his father’s death forced him to help support his family. Over the next several decades, he worked as a farmhand, soldier, streetcar conductor, insurance salesman, and filling station owner. It was at the age of 40, while running a gas station in Corbin, Kentucky, that Sanders began cooking fried chicken for travelers—a decision that would eventually change his life.

But the road to success was not without setbacks. His early attempts to franchise his chicken recipe were fraught with challenges, and it wasn’t until age 65—armed with little more than his Social Security check, his famous chicken recipe, and sheer determination—that Sanders finally began building his empire. His ability to persevere, even after countless rejections, highlights the power of staying committed to one’s vision. As Sanders once remarked:

• “One has to remember that every failure can be a stepping stone to something better.”

• “I’ve only had two rules. Do all you can and do it the best you can.”

By the time of his death in 1980, Colonel Sanders had built KFC into one of the most recognized brands in the world. His personal philosophy—rooted in hard work, humility, and a commitment to quality—allows his legacy to endure, underscoring the timeless truth that persistence pays.

Building Impact and Purpose: The Connection Between Preparation and Later Success

A key theme in both Wilder's and Sanders' stories is the connection between their past experiences and their eventual triumphs. What may have seemed like isolated chapters—pioneer struggles on the frontier for Wilder or failed business ventures for Sanders—actually laid the groundwork for their monumental success later in life.

Lessons We Can Learn:

1. Embrace Hard Work and PerseveranceBoth Wilder and Sanders built their success on values that never go out of style. As Sanders put it, “The hard way builds solidly a foundation of confidence that cannot be swept away.” Life’s challenges and setbacks, while arduous, can often fortify character and build the resilience necessary for eventual growth.

2. Remain Open to New BeginningsWilder didn't begin her celebrated writing career until her 60s, and Sanders didn’t find his niche with KFC until his mid-60s. Both teach us that new chapters can begin at any age, as long as we remain open to them.

3. Leverage Lifelong PreparationWhile Wilder and Sanders started "late," their success drew directly from decades of prior experiences. Wilder’s intimate knowledge of frontier life made her a credible and compelling storyteller, while Sanders’ years of testing and refining his chicken recipe gave him the perfect product to share with the world. As Wilder wisely noted, “The future is in our hands to make it what we will.”

4. Maintain Humility and GratitudeBoth Wilder and Sanders were known for their grounding in the values of their upbringing. Wilder cherished simplicity, remarking that “Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat.”Meanwhile, Sanders showed genuine care for his customers, famously observing, “I feed truck drivers, millionaires all at the same table.” Their unpretentious attitudes made their eventual success not only richly deserved but also deeply relatable.

   
   

Practical Steps for Harnessing Persistence at Any Stage of Life

1. Look for Patterns in Your Life: Take stock of your accumulated experiences. Reflect on the skills, knowledge, and lessons you’ve gained over time and identify how they could translate into new opportunities.

2. Start Small, Stay Committed: Wilder wrote one book at a time. Sanders started with one fried chicken recipe. The key is to focus on one actionable step and move forward from there.

3. Embrace Setbacks as Learning Opportunities: Like Sanders said, failures are stepping stones. Analyze what went wrong, adjust course, and keep moving.

4. Stay Grounded in Your Values: Keep a clear sense of what matters to you—whether it’s honesty, hard work, or making people’s lives better (like Wilder’s frontier wisdom or Sanders’ impeccable hospitality).

5. Take Inspiration from Others Who’ve Persisted: Let the stories of figures like Wilder and Sanders remind you that you’re never too late or too old to make a meaningful impact.

   
   

Conclusion

Laura Ingalls Wilder and Harland Sanders are proof that success can arrive at any stage in life. Their perseverance, coupled with the wisdom gained from their life experiences, enabled them to channel their passions and create legacies that endure to this day. As Wilder so eloquently wrote, “If enough people think of a thing and work hard enough at it, I guess it’s pretty nearly bound to happen, wind and weather permitting.”

The truth remains: impacting the world is not tied to location, time, or age. What matters is persistence, preparation, and the willingness to act on your dreams, no matter when the moment presents itself.