By Nnaemeka Udoka | Personal Development | December 20, 2025
Use what you have to get what you want** is more than a motivational phrase—it is a practical strategy for creating income opportunities, building a personal brand, and unlocking side hustles using skills you already possess. In a world where people often believe success requires certifications, degrees, or massive capital, this story proves that sometimes all you need is awareness, courage, and the willingness to lean into who you already are.
Last year, a friend called me with an unexpected request. She needed someone to be **Santa Claus** for a Christmas event. Without overthinking it, I said yes. She handed me a Santa costume, and while I appreciated the gesture, there was one small problem—the costume was **one size too small**.
Did that stop me? Not at all.
My excitement, energy, and willingness to show up mattered more than the fit. I put on the costume, embraced the role, and fully committed to the experience. I laughed, interacted with people, posed for pictures, and genuinely enjoyed myself. What started as a simple favor turned into an unforgettable experience—for both me and the people I entertained.
This year, I decided to do it again—but this time, I invested in myself. I bought my own Santa costume and stepped into the role once more. The result? Even more fun, more confidence, and more visibility.
Here’s where the lesson about using what you have to get what you want becomes powerful.
Because I owned the Santa costume, I casually showed up at another Christmas party wearing just the Santa jacket. It was spontaneous, funny, and completely unplanned. People loved it. The energy shifted. Laughter filled the room.
Coincidentally, that event didn’t even have a Santa.
So I stepped in.
I became Santa for the night—entertaining guests, taking photos, and creating memories. No formal announcement. No audition. Just presence, confidence, and personality.
A week later, I received a phone call.
Someone asked me if I could be **Santa Claus—for a fee**.
That moment changed everything.
What started as a favor turned into a **paid side hustle**, not because I planned it, but because I **used what I already had**. I didn’t need a license, certification, or formal training. I simply leaned into my **natural personality**, creativity, and willingness to show up.
This is the essence of **personal branding** and **monetizing your skills**.
Many people underestimate their own abilities because they feel ordinary. But what feels ordinary to you can be valuable to someone else. Skills like humor, communication, reliability, confidence, and creativity are often overlooked—but they are highly marketable.
There are countless income opportunities hiding in plain sight:
* Making people laugh
* Entertaining groups
* Hosting events
* Showing up when others won’t
* Creating memorable experiences
* Being dependable and confident
These are skills that don’t require certifications or qualifications. They only require self-awareness and action.
When you **use what you have to get what you want**, you begin to see opportunities everywhere. That old hobby? It might be a side hustle. That personality trait? It might be your brand. That thing people always compliment you on? It might be your income stream.
The truth is, **earning money doesn’t always start with learning something new**. Sometimes it starts with recognizing what you already know and who you already are.
This is how people build side hustles, personal brands, and even full-time businesses—by leaning into their strengths and positioning themselves intentionally.
The lesson here is simple but powerful:
**Just by being you, you can position yourself to earn.**
If you are willing to:
* Show up consistently
* Embrace your uniqueness
* Take small risks
* Lean into your strengths
You can create opportunities that didn’t exist before.
So take time to reflect:
* What do people naturally come to you for?
* What do you enjoy doing that others appreciate?
* What skills have you been ignoring because they feel “too simple”?
Find those skills.
Lean into them.
Use what you have to get what you want.
Opportunities don’t always come dressed in perfection—sometimes they come in a slightly tight Santa costume.
By Seun Sylvester Opaleye | July 13, 2026
By Seun Sylvester Opaleye | July 8, 2026
By Seun Sylvester Opaleye | July 4, 2026
This story is a reminder that opportunity doesn’t always announce itself loudly. Sometimes it shows up quietly—disguised as a favor, a moment of fun, or something that feels “too simple” to matter. If this piece resonates with you, take it as a nudge to stop underestimating yourself. What feels ordinary to you may be exactly what someone else is willing to pay for.
Every great event always starts with little beginnings.
Wonderful thought.
Nice one
The writer needs to share some of the Santa earnings with me though. Yes, use your God given talents; the bible says your talents will make room for you and bring you before kings.
Well done!
Kuwiye
I’m happy to read through this write up and my greater joy is seeing I am a main character here 🤭
Leaning into our strengths might just be what that girl in the dark corners of her room with lack of self efficacy might just need
Your story flashes back to diverse scenes in my life, your slightly tight Santa costume was my old scrappy HP laptop, it was my awakening of using what i had to get what i want
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I love creativity and anything that keeps my fingers on the keyboard, i had passion for web development and my journey started with that old hp laptop 💻.
I built my own digital presence slowly and consistently and watched how growth slowly located me just by being consistent and willing to learn.
Here is a guide i wrote on building a personal brand online:
https://9jamore.com/how-to-build-a-powerful-brand-digital-presence/blog/2025/