Want More? Ask More, Try More, Risk More
“Risk doesn’t mean recklessness. It means choosing discomfort over stagnation.”
As a freelancer, designer, or creative professional, you probably want more. More projects that excite you. More clients who respect your work. More income. More creative freedom.
But wanting more isn’t enough. You have to ask more, try more, and risk more to make it happen.
It’s easy to assume that success in creative fields is about talent, luck, or simply waiting for the right opportunities to appear. In reality, the people who get more are the ones who actively pursue it. They ask for what they want, experiment beyond their comfort zones, and take risks—even when the outcome is uncertain.
If you feel stuck or stagnant in your creative career, it might not be a lack of talent or opportunity holding you back. It might be that you’re not asking enough, trying enough, or risking enough.
Ask More: Opportunities Don’t Just Land in Your Lap
Most freelancers and creatives don’t ask for enough.
We assume that if we do great work, people will recognise it and offer us more opportunities. But the truth is, the people who get the most opportunities are the ones who ask for them.
Why Asking Matters
- Clients don’t always think to offer more work unless you ask.
- Potential collaborators won’t know you’re interested unless you reach out.
- Higher rates, better contracts, and better terms often come only when you ask for them.
Where You Should Be Asking More
- Ask for Higher Rates
If you’ve been charging the same rates for a while, it’s time to increase them. Many clients will agree without hesitation. But they won’t offer—you have to ask. - Ask Clients for More Work
Have you ever finished a project and just waited for a client to return?
Instead, send a follow-up:
“I really enjoyed working on [project]. If you need more work in the future, I’d love to help. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to relieve your workload.”
Sometimes, all it takes is a simple reminder. - Ask for Referrals and Testimonials
If you have happy clients, ask them to refer you to others. Or request a testimonial to use on your portfolio and social media. - Ask for Feedback
If a pitch gets rejected, ask why. If a project doesn’t go well, ask what you could improve. Learning from feedback gives you an edge over those who stay in the dark. - Ask for Collaboration
Interested in working with another designer, illustrator, or photographer? Reach out. A quick message can open doors you didn’t know existed.
The worst that can happen is hearing “no.” But even that is better than wondering what if?
Try More: Experimentation Leads to Breakthroughs
Creatives thrive on exploration. The best ideas, careers, and opportunities come from trying more—more styles, techniques, approaches, and platforms.
But trying more requires effort. It’s easier to keep doing what’s familiar. That’s why so many freelancers and designers plateau after a few years—they stop exploring.
Why Trying More Matters
- It keeps you growing. Every time you try something new, you expand your skills.
- It prevents burnout. Repetitive work becomes draining. Experimentation keeps things exciting.
- It opens up new revenue streams. Many creatives discover profitable niches just by trying something outside their usual work.
Ways to Try More
- Experiment with Different Styles or Mediums
If you’re a graphic designer, try motion design. If you’re a photographer, explore film. If you’re a writer, attempt a new format. - Create Personal Projects
Some of the best career opportunities come from work you weren’t paid to do. Personal projects give you full creative control—and they often lead to unexpected client work. - Try New Tools and Software
Technology evolves fast. Learning a new tool can make you more efficient, more marketable, or open up new creative directions. - Post and Share More
Many freelancers fear putting their work out there. But social media, blogs, and online portfolios create opportunities. Share your work consistently, and you’ll attract more attention over time. - Work in Different Spaces
If you usually work alone, try a co-working space. If you normally work in isolation, engage with a creative community. A shift in your environment can lead to fresh ideas.
Trying more doesn’t mean abandoning what works. It means building on it and allowing room for growth.
Risk More: Playing It Safe Won’t Get You Far
Most creatives crave security, but the best opportunities require taking risks. Whether it’s raising your rates, pitching a dream client, or pursuing an unconventional project, risk is often the bridge between where you are and where you want to be.
The problem? Risk feels uncomfortable. Fear of failure, rejection, or embarrassment holds many freelancers back. But every successful creative has faced those same fears—and moved forward anyway.
Why Risking More Matters
- Safe decisions lead to predictable results. Risk leads to more.
- The greatest rewards (higher pay, better clients, more creative freedom) come from taking risks.
- Risks build resilience. The more risks you take, the better you handle setbacks.
How to Take Smarter Risks
- Pitch Clients You Think Are Out of Reach
Many freelancers only approach “safe” clients. But dream clients are often more likely to say yes than you expect. - Say No to Low-Paying, Soul-Crushing Work
Turning down bad projects is risky—but it creates room for better opportunities. - Launch a Product or Passive Income Stream
Courses, posters, t-shirts, or digital products can generate income beyond client work. It’s a risk worth exploring. - Publicly Share Your Ambitions
Declare a big goal publicly (on social media, to your peers, or in a blog post). It holds you accountable and invites opportunities. - Charge More Than Feels Comfortable
Pricing should feel slightly uncomfortable. If it doesn’t, you’re probably undercharging.
Risk doesn’t mean recklessness. It means choosing discomfort over stagnation.
The People Who Get More Are the Ones Who Go After It
If you want more, you have to ask more, try more, risk more.
That’s the difference between those who stay stuck and those who create meaningful, fulfilling careers.
Every successful freelancer and creative professional got there by taking initiative—not by waiting, not by hoping, but by actively going after more.
So, the next time you find yourself feeling stagnant, ask yourself:
- What’s one thing I could ask for today that could open new doors?
- What’s one thing I could try that might lead to unexpected opportunities?
- What’s one small risk I could take that would move me closer to my goals?
Success isn’t about waiting for luck. It’s about asking, trying, and risking—until you create the opportunities you want.
So go ahead. Ask more. Try more. Risk more.
The more you’re looking for is out there—but you have to go get it.
