Feeling left behind? A Chinese proverb says this ‘donkey phase’ is where success truly begins

Almost everyone is working to achieve a dream life. For some, it may be financial freedom, while for others, it may be finding inner peace and satisfaction. But there's only a tiny difference between those who reach their destination and those who don't — and that is their optimistic, growth-oriented mindset. If you, too, feel stuck in your life, determined to give up long before you reach your destination, you may want to know about this beautiful ancient Chinese proverb that will instantly comfort anyone embarrassed about where they currently are in life. On May 13, 2026, Kaye (@galaxykaye), a content creator, shared the proverb in an Instagram video that has received over 229,000 views on her page.

The 'unglamorous' step is the step

Kaye quoted the Chinese saying “Qí lǘ zhǎo mǎ,” which translates to “riding a donkey while looking for a horse.” Elaborating on the philosophy, she explained that what a person considers the "unglamorous" step is usually the very step that will lead them to their dream life. If someone desires to reach the horse, they have no alternative but to ride a donkey. The horse won’t materialize all by itself if they sit around waiting and doing nothing. In short, Kaye explained that consistency is the key to success. The woman cited Nicki Minaj and Harrison Ford to explain the concept further. “Minaj took orders at Red Lobster, not because she gave up on rap, but because she needed to eat while she chased that dream. Harrison Ford was a carpenter. He only took on acting roles when they didn’t interfere with his day job, because he still needed to support his family,” she explained. "He literally installed the doors that led to his Star Wars audition. Nobody talks about that part — they just show you the Grammy, the Oscar, the moment," Kaye added. 

Thank your donkey

Kaye explained that between “where you are” and “where you are going,” there is almost always a donkey. For example, the 9-to-5 job that we often complain about is actually the one that lets us pay our bills. The donkey, she said, is not the destination, but the vehicle. The people who make it are the ones who don't sit around waiting for the horse to show up. They are the ones who ride with what they have but are disciplined enough to keep looking. “So stop being embarrassed by where you are. You are not stuck. You are in transit. The unglamorous step is the step,” inspired Kaye.

Start where you are

The Chinese proverb is an English equivalent of "Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can." Well, for those who do not know, this powerful quote is by the legendary tennis player and humanitarian Arthur Ashe. Not just him, but other people have also applied this philosophy to find success. It means more often than not, success is not about immediate talent, but about moving forward despite slow or unglamorous beginnings. For instance, Denzel Washington, the Oscar-winning actor and filmmaker, worked as a garbage man before entering the industry. In fact, even after becoming so famous, he has never shied away from talking about his past.

Honor the stage you are at

In an interview, he compared his old days to making movies and said, "I liked being a garbage man more. People talk about the difficulty in making a movie, and I go, 'It's a movie, relax.' I don't play that precious nonsense. Get out of here. You know, your son got shot in the face; that is difficult, but making it a movie is a luxury, it is a gift, it is an opportunity. It's just a movie; it isn't that big a deal." It means the actor understood he had to do odd jobs to survive before making it big in the movies. So, instead of blaming his stars, he accepted whatever jobs came his way, while quietly dreaming about a better future. 

Netizens react

Meanwhile, netizens loved Kaye’s uplifting message. For instance, @vidgamechx commented, "Don't forget to also treat the donkey with grace, because without it, your journey will be much more difficult." Similarly, @aspirationandink wrote, "It is so easy to feel embarrassed when your daily reality does not match your potential. But using a temporary situation to fuel your long-term goal is not a failure... it is a strategy. That 'unglamorous' step is often the very thing that gives you the stability to eventually reach your horse."

You can follow Kaye (@galaxykaye) on Instagram for more lifestyle content.

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