Anne’s Crossroads: Should she live with it, leave it, or leverage it?

Meet Anne, High School Teacher at a career cross roads in her life.

Life constantly presents us with challenges, opportunities, and moments of decision. Whether it’s a career hurdle, a relationship issue, or another area of life, we’re often faced with decisions that can seem impossible as we wrestle with them from every conceivable angle. Understanding our choices can help us to at least look at the three angles and decide if any of them are a definite no thus eliminating one from the line up. In this blog I will look at the options available for all of us through the life of Anne.

Anne is a dedicated high school teacher with a career spanning two decades, who is now standing at a crossroads. At 45, she feels a pull toward exploring a new career, yet the security of her teaching job and the fear of the unknown make her hesitant to take the leap. While she has dabbled in starting a side hustle, the lack of time, energy, and creative direction has stalled her progress. Anne is frustrated by her inertia but also wary of not being impulsive or reckless.

Here are three options she could consider: Leave It, Live With It or Leverage it.

Whether it's a relationship, a job, a financial decision or something else the three choices remain available to all of us, regardless of our instant dismissal of any one of them. Many people I speak to rule out the "leave it" option immediately perceiving it is too disruptive, risky or uncomfortable; nevertheless it's still a viable option and so to dismiss it is to choose NOT to consider it. Let's look briefly at each option then see how it could apply to Anne's story.

1.  Leave It

When something in your life no longer serves your well-being or aligns with your values, leaving it might be the wisest choice. While stepping away can be intimidating, it’s often necessary to create the space for the new thing. You've probably heard it said that 'when one door closes, another door opens'. It's hard to have doors opening before others have been closed. You might choose to leave when staying compromises your mental, emotional, or physical health and when leaving will open doors to better possibilities.

If Anne Chose to Leave Teaching

Anne might decide to leave teaching entirely and focus on building a new career. While this is the most drastic option, it also opens up a world of possibilities. Here are three scenarios:

Scenario A: Full Career Transition Anne identifies a passion she’s always wanted to pursue—say, opening a small bakery or becoming a freelance editor. She enrolls in courses to upskill, creates a transition plan, saves a financial cushion, and sets a timeline for making the leap.

Scenario B: Sabbatical or Career Break Anne negotiates a year-long sabbatical with her school to explore her new career options without fully giving up her teaching role. This allows her to test the waters in a lower-risk environment.

Scenario C: Join an Established Business Instead of starting from scratch, Anne could join an established business in her area of interest, learning the ropes and reducing the pressure of having to build something on her own.

2. Live With It

There are times when circumstances are beyond our immediate control, and the best option we have is to accept and adapt. Living with it doesn’t mean passive resignation—it means consciously choosing to find peace and stability within an unchanging situation. You might choose to live with it when the benefits outweigh the cost of change.

If Anne Chose to Stay in Teaching

If Anne isn’t ready to make significant changes, she could find ways to make her current situation more fulfilling and manageable. Here are three scenarios:

Scenario A: Enhanced Work-Life Balance Anne sets strict boundaries for her teaching responsibilities, carving out regular time for hobbies, rest, and exploration of her interests,

Scenario B: Passion Projects on Weekends Instead of a side hustle, Anne dedicates weekends or school holidays to passion projects. This low-pressure approach allows her to experiment with new ideas at her own pace.

Scenario C: In-School Innovation Anne takes on leadership or innovation projects within her school, such as creating new programs or mentoring younger teachers. This allows her to experience growth and variety without leaving her profession.

3. Leverage It

The third option, leveraging, is about taking what you have and turning it into a strength. This choice involves creativity and a strategic mindset. Instead of merely enduring or escaping a situation, you harness it to fuel growth or achieve a goal. You might choose to leverage when you see the potential for transformation, personal development, or the chance to create positive outcomes where you are.

If Anne Chose to Leverage Teaching

Anne could capitalise on her existing skills, experience, and network to pivot into a new role or venture that complements her teaching background. Here are three scenarios:

Scenario A: Educational Consultant Anne could leverage her teaching expertise to become an educational consultant, working with schools or education-focused companies to improve curriculum design, teacher training, or student engagement strategies.

Scenario B: Online Course Creator Anne could create and sell online courses tailored to teachers, parents, or students. These could include topics like effective study techniques, classroom management, or exam preparation strategies.

Scenario C: Coaching or Tutoring Business Anne could start a tutoring or coaching business, focusing on helping students excel in specific subjects or guiding young professionals entering the education field.

Finding the Right Path

Anne’s journey will depend on her risk tolerance, financial situation, and personal priorities. Whether she chooses to leave teaching, leverage her skills in a new way, or find fulfillment within her current role, each option provides a pathway to potential growth and personal satisfaction.

Life’s challenges and decisions can usually be distilled into these three choices. By recognising your options, you gain the power to approach life with a sense of agency and purpose. Whether you choose acceptance, departure, or transformation, what matters most is making a choice that aligns with your vision and values for your life. We only have one life so check in as to whether you feel like you are living it the way that you want to.

Are you at a crossroads? Would you like someone to speak to about your options? Feel free to reach out and we will select a coach from our team who can connect with you. Please email info@profilecoaching.co.nz to connect with us for a free discovery call.

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Marina Shearer  

BSc.psychology

Diploma Professional Coaching

Certified Practitioner and Accreditation Coach Extended DISC ®

Blanchard Aotearoa NZ Affiliate

Marina is a coach, professional development expert, and facilitator who specialises in helping people and teams develop themselves so they can be the best version of themselves and conduct their personal and professional lives more effectively.

Learn more about her HERE