Every path is hard, but one could lead to the life you deserve.

 

In teaching, there’s an unspoken truth often experienced but rarely discussed.

Everything worth doing is hard.

And no one knows that better than educators.

But let’s address something head-on: the relentless cycle of unpaid, unacknowledged work that consumes your evenings, weekends, and even your mental health.

This isn’t “hard work” in the sense of a challenge that leads to fulfillment.

It’s a toxic, unsustainable expectation placed on you to give everything you have — and then some — to your job.

Grading late into the night.

Spending hours on unpaid coaching, clubs, and parent communication.

Volunteering for committees because no one else can step up.

Covering for colleagues when subs don’t show up.

Pouring time and creativity into lesson planning just to meet the bare minimum expectations of your students.

You do all this because you care.

But let me ask you: At what cost?

For years, society has glamorized the idea of teachers as martyrs — selfless givers who sacrifice their own well-being for the sake of others.

But the reality is, this isn’t sustainable.

And it’s not fair to you.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

Hard work isn’t the problem — it’s who benefits from it.

Fulfillment comes when effort aligns with rewards, not when your cup runs empty.

Teaching is undeniably hard.

The emotional toll of caring deeply for students, the stress of trying to meet impossible demands, and the guilt of feeling like you’re always falling short.

It’s an exhausting kind of hard.

I’ve worked with thousands of educators who share the same story:

They give their all but are still asked for more.

Their “contract hours” are a myth as they routinely work dozens of unpaid hours each month.

Their personal time and family life are sacrificed, leaving little energy to pursue their own goals.

Does any of this sound familiar?

Here’s the thing: leaving teaching is hard too.

It requires unlearning those expectations of endless sacrifice.

It takes bravery to explore industries where your time is respected and your skills are valued.

It’s a different kind of challenge, but it's one that can lead to balance, fulfillment, and the life you’ve been craving.

So, what’s your “hard” going to be?

Continuing in a role where the cost to your health and happiness grows each year?

Or choosing a path that’s still challenging, but one that rewards you for your effort

Corporate roles like learning and development, instructional design, or customer success are incredible opportunities for you.

They value your ability to communicate, solve problems, and adapt, and they let you leave work at work!

I’m not saying the transition is easy.

But this kind of hard has a massive upside: control over your time, financial growth, and the chance to rediscover your passion.

The question is, are you willing to try something new for the sake of fulfillment?

Every day I work with teachers who choose their hard, and it changes everything for them.

If you’re feeling burned out, maybe it’s time to carve out something new for yourself too.

Take action.

Reflect.

There’s no wrong answer.

But thinking about it might just change your life.

Onward!

Chris