👋 Good morning from Los Angeles! I'm Nate Kadlac, and this is #91 of Plan Your Next. A Sunday newsletter that connects design, creativity, and how you prepare for your next thing.

Good morning from Los Angeles!

I’ll be taking a break the rest of the year (one Sunday 🤣) since much of next week will be devoted to family and reflecting on the past year.

If you have been letting me hit your inbox over the past year, I just want to say thanks! As Alie can attest, writing this newsletter is one of the constants each and every week that keeps me thinking about what’s next for myself. It sure doesn’t hurt to have a motivating prompt for every Sunday.

Putting my ideas into words has opened doors, clarified my own ideas, increased financial opportunities, introduced me to people much more interesting than myself, and so much more.

I’ve held creative calls with people on the streets of Tel Aviv, Buenos Aires, San Francisco, and many more places. The fun part is just launching Zoom and not knowing where the person is calling in from the other side.

Last year, I wrote about how starting a newsletter can change your life. I still believe this is the lowest-hanging bet you can place on yourself.

This newsletter has created so many memories for me, I wanted to share some of my highlights.

The top 5 PYN editions of this year (ranked by Substack)

1. A live confession of creative vacancy

2. How do you name your next thing?

3. Here’s your bravery test

4. Have you ever shared your financial situation?

5. The mystery of design

My top memories of the past year

• My daughter Rowan, who was born 8 months ago

• Launching my live workshop, Approachable Design (Next cohort in Jan!)

• Leaving my full-time job in July, and starting my own next thing

• Co-hosting It’s Gotta be the Mic with Reza

• Hosting design workshops in Cam’s Minimum Viable Video course

• Joining communities in the Web3 space, like Creator Cabins and Invisible College

My bite-sized lessons learned

• Just start. Learn later. —Sahil Lavingia

• There are no external solutions to internal problems. —Khe Hy

• Make your next bet, small. —Daniel Vassallo

• People who maximize serendipity balance the humility of not knowing where their next big break will come from with the arrogance of knowing that it will come from somewhere. —David Perell

My favorite newsletter illustrations

• Start building your social capital

• Minimalism is boring

• Playing the long game

• Find or build your creative nook

• Are you an Entrepreneur, a Technician, or a Manager?

I hope you all get to spend some time with your families and take some time for yourself to reflect on your past year. This next year is going to be fucking wild.

What’s next for you?

I want to thank a number of important people who have played a huge role in my life over the past year: Alie, Jesse, Megan, Reza, Cam, Khe, Andrew, Jason, Lanie, Aaron, Charlie, Salman, Nick, Stew, Robbie, Heather, Teke, Hilary, Lyle, Tom, Ben, Sean, Kevin, Pranav, Eduardo, Jenny, Julie, Scott, Dan, Tim, Christina, Sher, Charlie, Mike, Florian, Matt, Steven, Chad, Bill, Ritesh, Paul, Corey, Joseph, Eric, Pete, and so many more (don’t hate me!)

ps. Over the years, I have designed a number of lapel pins that are California-themed. If you want a couple as a thank-you gift, just shoot me your full name and address, and I’d love to send you some. Think Big Sur, the Golden Gate Bridge, and more.

👋 See you next year

If you’ve forgotten who I am, here’s a little bit about me. As always, my calendar is open to chat about your next adventure, crazy idea, or if you’re feeling creatively stuck.

Have a great week,

p.s. If you enjoyed this letter, would you please let me know by tapping on the heart below?