LESSONS FROM A DONKEY

"Do You Have the Star of a Donkey or the Star of Gold?"

"Working hard is important. Working smart is transformational."

Recently, while listening to one of Kenya's remarkable businesswomen, Shiquo WaShiquo, I heard a story that stopped me in my tracks.

One thing I admire about Shiquo is her desire to see others grow as she grows. She is never reserved with information. She shares lessons, opportunities, and experiences freely. Even now, as she travels through Egypt, she continues to educate and encourage people to travel, learn, and see what the world has to offer.

What stands out is that she does not just visit places for photos. We have seen her visiting manufacturers, companies, and food-processing facilities. Time will tell what she is working on. With Shiquo, it is usually only a matter of time before something significant emerges.

As she reflected on a visit to Mombasa that changed her life, she shared a lesson she learned from the people of the Coast.

They asked her a simple question in Swahili:

"Uko na nyota ya punda ama ya dhahabu?"

Translated into English, it means:

"Do you have the star of a donkey or the star of gold?"

At first, it sounds like a joke. But the wisdom behind it is profound.

Think about a donkey.

A donkey works tirelessly. It carries heavy loads. It moves all day. It sweats. It struggles. It does a lot of work.

Yet often, the outcome is limited.

Now think about gold.

Gold does not carry loads. Gold does not run around. Gold does not struggle to prove its value.

Yet its worth is undeniable.

The lesson is not that hard work is bad.

The lesson is that hard work alone is not enough.

For a long time, Shiquo's business strategy was simple: work harder, be louder, show up every day, market aggressively, and be present in every aspect of the business. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. In fact, many successful businesses are built on consistency and discipline.

But the question remains:

Are you working hard, or are you working strategically?

Many of us are busy.

We attend meetings.

We make calls.

We post on social media.

We move from one task to another.

We are exhausted by the end of the day.

But are we moving closer to our goals?

Or are we simply carrying heavier loads like the donkey?

The difference between a donkey and gold is not effort.

The difference is value, positioning, and strategy.

Sometimes success is not about doing more.

Sometimes success is about doing the right things.

This lesson also reminded me of another truth.

The more you give, the more you receive.

Whether it is your time, knowledge, opportunities, encouragement, or resources, life has a way of returning what you freely give.

That is why we should never feel bad when we see people like Shiquo continue to grow and prosper.

She shares.

She teaches.

She encourages.

She opens doors for others.

And somehow, the more she gives, the more she receives.

There is a lesson there for all of us.

So today, pause and ask yourself:

Am I working hard or working smart?

Am I building value or just staying busy?

Am I being strategic or simply being loud?

Am I carrying loads like a donkey or creating value like gold?

The question that the people of Mombasa asked is a question worth asking ourselves every day:

"Uko na nyota ya punda ama ya dhahabu?"

What star do you have?

Are you operating from the star of a donkey?

Or are you building the value of gold?

Tafakari ya Babu.

Think about it.

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Success isn't measured by how much you carry it's measured by the value you create.

Don't spend your life moving heavier loads while standing in the same place. Build skills. Build systems. Build value.

Ask yourself every day:

"Uko na nyota ya punda ama ya dhahabu?"

Work hard. Think smart. Create value that speaks long after the work is done.

MN Collective Quote

"Don't just carry the load. Become the value."

A donkey is known for what it carries. Gold is known for what it's worth. Don't spend your life carrying more spend it becoming valuable.

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MN Collective Insights  Unfiltered 

Believe. Brand. Build.