Don't worry about people stealing your design work. Worry about the day they stop.

I constantly get out of my comfort zone. Looking cool is the easiest way to mediocrity. The coolest guy in my high school ended up working at a car wash. Once you push yourself into something new, and whole new world of opportunities opens up. But you might get hurt. In fact you will get hurt. But amazingly when you heal - you are somewhere you've never been.