This is For The Firsts, a weekly letter for the “firsts” navigating career, money & life without a roadmap. Let’s get to work.
The moment I graduated high school, college acceptance in hand, I did what any ambitious first-generation college student would do:
I made a list of goals.
12 years later, I stumbled across some of those goals:
“Make $100k per year by 30”
“Senior Class President”
“Supportive wife, ambitious children”
“Pet dog (retriever)”
“Own a convertible”
At first glance, these look like the objectives of any teenage boy excited about the promise of the next decade. But when I took a deeper look, a more honest and revealing insight started to become clear.
As I looked at this list of goals from my teenage years, my fully developed frontal lobe noticed something. Behind just about each and every one of these goals was a hidden fear or insecurity.
Did I want to own a convertible? Or did I want to be seen as someone who had one?
What life can a $100K salary bring that can’t be achieved with $95K per year? And why stop there?
Does it really matter if my kid is ambitious? Or that he knows he’s loved and supported?
And let’s be honest.. I don’t even like dogs all that much (sorry).
In other words. I hadn’t set goals at all. I had created a list of how I wanted to be perceived.
That’s not to say that these goals were bad in any way. Many of them, I’m proud to say, have actually come true! I can just look at them now as a more mature, realized version of myself and fully understand that what was driving me then (insecurity about my background) is not in the driver’s seat now.
So I’ve got a question for you: What goals are you working towards right now? And are they for you, or are they meant to project a more idealized version of you?
If it’s the latter, here are a few suggestions:
Who will I become once I accomplish this goal?: A helpful frame shift I came across years ago was that in order to truly accomplish a big goal, you’ll have to make an identity shift, not just a behavior shift. It’s the difference in saying “I want to work out more” vs “I am someone who prioritizes my physical health consistently”. Setting your goals against your desired identity will make them a lot harder to crack.
Do I need a goal, or an anti-goal?: Sometimes the best goals are barriers against the life you won’t accept. So instead of saying what you must do, what must you not allow? For instance, do you want to make sure you eat dinner with your partner 4 nights a week? Or must you make sure that your partner always feels like they’re a priority?
When I accomplish this, who will be the first person I call?: When I learned I’d made the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, I called my Mom. When I found the woman I wanted to marry, I texted the group chat. One of the best ways to understand the motivations behind certain goals is to wonder who you’ll want to celebrate them with.
What's a "first" you've done, or one you're working toward right now?
I am the first to start an online business and make content on LinkedIn and YouTube.
What's been your favorite moment from an FTF event so far?
It’s hard to pin it down; I’ve been to all of them. I love hearing people’s stories of being the first to do something. This is a much-needed space in today’s world, and I am glad to be able to hear from and chat with some amazing people. It helps me level up others and see the world in a different light.
What's something you're a little obsessed with lately?
Personal finance. Been very focused on being debt-free by October 2026.
What’s something you’re working on right now that you’re excited about? (Remember, no job titles)
I am super excited about working on more YouTube content. I livestream, make shorts, and long-form videos. I made this whole content plan for myself and am building a community on YouTube and LinkedIn. Maybe one day, I will write a book.
‘First Up’ is our member spotlight series, highlighting the many incredible members of the FTF community. Want to be featured in a future spotlight? Fill out this form.
Even though 8 years ago, I started my career in NYC with nothing but a suitcase and a few hundred bucks.
I’m not sharing this to flex. But I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting..
So much has happened in those 8 years. I’ve switched jobs from consulting to tech to advertising and racked up a few promotions. I’ve also been laid off and was filing for unemployment two years ago while my newborn baby slept right beside me. 8 years ago, my biggest dream was an executive role inside a large company, and I chose to completely step away from that to build a new career online.
My life is so different now, and so is my apartment.
For me, my arrival in this new space reflects the journey I’ve been on to discover my true calling. And what kind of life you can create when you stay committed to consistently trusting your vision.
And when it was time to move, I wanted the day itself to feel worthy of that moment
That’s why I used Roadway. They packed up my crib, my couch, and everything else we had stuffed into our 1-bedroom apartment, and with care moved it into our new place. Allowing me to truly spend that day present and grateful.
Summer is moving season in NY, so if you’re planning a move, I would genuinely, highly recommend them. You can use code CAREERCOLIN10 for 10% off a local move, or if you’re going a little further, you’ll get 5% off a longer-distance move. You can learn more here.
Stop asking people “What do you do?” → Instagram Post
Forbes interviewed me on how my career has evolved → LinkedIn Post
My interview on The Modern Man podcast → YouTube Video
I’ll be heading to the French Riviera for Cannes Lions from June 22nd - 26th!
Our next For The Firsts meetup is in June. You can register here.
These are affiliate links, but they’re genuinely the tools I rely on everyday
ManyChat helps me send all of my free and low-priced career guides to you all on Instagram and TikTok.
Claude Cowork keeps my desktop organized and helps my conduct research for my content.
Kit is the platform I use for email automation. It’s also where I send out my free Networking course! (comment “Networking” on any of my IG Reels)
Luma is the best event hosting platform I could ask for, and the official home of our community, For The Firsts.
read previous notes here
register for my next For The Firsts event here
host your own community events in NYC and Chicago at Fabrik
have me speak at your organization by filling out my speaker form
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