Stretch assignments — projects clearly beyond your current capability that you take on anyway — accelerate growth more than years of comfortable execution. They're also where most career advancement actually originates.
What stretch assignments do
Force skill development. Provide visibility on important work. Build manager and senior advocacy when you deliver. Create portfolio of demonstrably advanced work for next role.
How to find them
Watch for projects in trouble that need additional capacity. Volunteer for cross-functional initiatives. Express interest to your manager: 'I'd take on more complex work if it became available.' Specific opportunities often follow the expressed interest.
Managing the risk
Stretch ≠ over-commit. Don't take on stretch assignments while sleeping 5 hours. Be honest about which areas you'd need support in. Most managers respect honest 'this stretches me here; can you connect me with someone' more than fake competence.