First-Last-Best-Worst Framework

A storytelling exercise that helps generate content by applying five categories to any topic, demonstrated through a discussion about jobs and career experiences.

Core Framework Categories

• First - The first instance/experience
• Last - Most recent instance/experience
• Best - Most positive instance/experience
• Worst - Most negative instance/experience
• Weirdest - Most unusual instance/experience

How to Use the Framework

• Pick any topic (e.g., jobs, relationships, travel)
• Answer each category quickly and honestly
• Use answers as jumping-off points for deeper stories
• Look for unexpected or interesting elements in each answer
• Each answer can generate multiple story angles

Example Application (Jobs)

Sam Parr's career examples:

• First: Sweeping floors at a bakery
• Last: CEO of The Hustle media company
• Best: Co-hosting My First Million podcast
• Worst: Cold calling from yellow pages to sell SEO services
• Weirdest: Skateboard instructor at YMCA at age 15

Benefits of the Framework

• Helps discover stories you didn't realize you had
• Creates multiple content angles from single experiences
• Forces you to examine experiences from different perspectives
• Generates relatable content others can connect with
• Helps find unique angles in seemingly ordinary experiences

Additional Tips

• Look for 5-second moments in daily experiences
• Write down story ideas at the end of each day
• Consider what would be memorable if today was your last day
• Focus on specific moments rather than general experiences