What principles define how you live?
For me, one of the biggest is simple — never waste what you have been given. I used to think making more money or growing as a creator started with getting more followers or going viral. But that is not true. The real key is learning how to package what you already know and do into value that others will pay for. There is a verse that changed how I see everything: Proverbs 12:27 — “Lazy people do not even cook the game they catch, but the diligent make use of everything they find.” That hit me hard. You can catch something and still waste it if you do not use it wisely.
It reminds me of a story about two hunters, Boanteng and Pelumi. Boanteng caught a big antelope. Excited, he showed it off, took a few pictures, and walked away. He caught something but never made use of it. Pelumi also caught an antelope, but he thought differently. He cooked part to feed his family, sold some to neighbors, polished the horns and sold them as antiques, taught others how to hunt, and even organized hunting competitions. From one antelope, he built something that fed his family, served his community, and grew his influence.
That is the difference between a hobby and a business. One stops at catching, the other multiplies what is caught. And maybe that is a principle you and I need to live by, make use of everything you have been given. Your story, your mistakes, your experiences, your style, they are all raw materials like that antelope. You can leave them unused, or you can package them into value that helps others, builds your brand, and opens doors.
You do not need a massive following to do that. You just need the right mindset, one that sees every skill, lesson, and passion as something that can be multiplied. When you share what you know, you grow. You research more, connect deeper, and gain clarity about your craft. And when you bring your personal style into it, that is when things shift. Style is your amplifier, it makes people stop, listen, and remember. So if I had to sum up the principle that defines how I live, it would be this — never waste your antelope. Cook it. Sell it. Teach it. Share it. Let your style amplify it. Because life rewards those who make use of everything they find.
Michael Okunloro | Elevate Your Style 