From Classroom, Boardroom to Camera—Crafting Your Next Chapter

🎙️ Episode Title: From Classroom, Boardroom to Camera—Crafting Your Next Chapter

This ain’t just another career change story. This is about reclaiming your rhythm, reshaping your identity, and redefining what success means—on your own terms.

In this episode of The Intentional Hustle, Dr. Anthony Hancock—educator turned entrepreneur, founder of Anthony Hancock Photography—opens up about life after 25+ years in higher education. He takes us on a real, raw journey through reinvention, intentional growth, and building a purpose-driven life from the inside out.

Guided by the timeless principles of Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, this episode breaks down how to:

• Walk away from what no longer serves you—without guilt.
• Build your next chapter with the same mindset as a PhD dissertation: Big Rocks first, distractions out.
• Turn old skills into new hustle—merging storytelling, mentorship, visual identity, and business with soul.
• Hustle with intention, not urgency—and never at the expense of your peace.
• Write your own four-word mission statement that aligns your every move with your calling.

This episode hits home for creatives, professionals, dreamers, and grinders who know they’re meant for more—but need a strategy to move with clarity and courage.

Whether you’re behind a desk, a lens, or a dream you’ve put on pause, this episode will help you press play with purpose.

🛠️ Tools. Truth. Transformation.
This is The Intentional Hustle.
Where grit meets greatness. Where you design your legacy.

🎧 Listen now. Share it forward.
Tag @ahancockphotography on IG or use #TheIntentionalHustle to join the movement.

Transcript

THE INTENTIONAL HUSTLE: FROM CLASSROOM, BOARDROOM TO CAMERA—CRAFTING YOUR NEXT CHAPTER

Host: Dr. Anthony Hancock
Episode Length: 21 minutes

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

Dr. Anthony Hancock: Welcome to The Intentional Hustle, where grit meets greatness. I'm your host, Dr. Anthony Hancock, and today's episode is personal. If you've ever stood at the crossroads between what you've done and what you could become, this one's for you.

After 25 years in higher education—teaching, building workforce programs, initiating student success and engagement initiatives, and creating leadership development strategies on multiple college campuses in multiple states—I stepped away in 2022. And let me tell you, retirement is a complex and challenging thing. However, I didn't retire. I pivoted.

Initially, I tried my hand at life insurance, became a notary public, and even launched an income tax business. Each of those ventures had a purpose, but something was missing—the fire, that soul-stirring clarity and purpose that moved me all those years. I wasn't just looking for work. I was searching for the why.

I realized that I needed to move from busy to intentional. That realization led me back to something simple, something true: my camera. But this time, it wasn't just a tool or something to do—it was a calling.

My camera became more than a lens. It became a compass. It didn't just help me focus on what was in front of me; it helped me frame what truly mattered. In the hustle, your vision can blur. But the camera reminded me to zoom in on purpose, adjust my exposure to the light I still carry, frame the narrative, and capture moments that move the soul.

It brought me back to myself—quietly, powerfully. Because sometimes rediscovery isn't loud. It's rooted vision and direction, and it's deeply personal.

That's what this episode is about: From Classroom, Boardroom to Camera—Crafting Your Next Chapter. This isn't just a story about changing careers. It's about reclaiming purpose, rewriting your mission with grit, clarity, and intention—and doing it on your terms.

Today, we're going to frame this journey through the timeless wisdom of Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Let's dive in.

HABIT 1: BE PROACTIVE

Habit 1 in Covey's framework is Be Proactive. And let me tell you—leaving higher education after 25 years wasn't just stepping away from a job; it was stepping out of an identity I had worn for over a quarter of my life.

I initially believed I had to replace the rhythm of work with something—anything—to feel useful again. I signed up for roles like life insurance, notary work, and tax preparation, thinking productivity would fill the void.

But deep down, I wasn't being proactive—I was reacting. I was responding to the silence, disconnection, and loss of rhythm and relevance that a career often brings. I was chasing activity, not alignment.

And that's when I had to pause. To ask myself, not "What can I do?" but "What do I need? What brings me peace, purpose, and joy? What helps me feel alive again?"

That mindset shift—from filling time to fulfilling purpose—was the beginning of reclaiming my life with intention.

But proactivity is more than just movement; it's alignment. It's not about staying busy—it's about tuning in. So I got still. I asked myself a deeper question: "What brings me peace, purpose, and joy?"

The answer wasn't loud. It wasn't strategic. It was soulfully stirring. It led me back to my camera—not out of urgency or ego, but from a quiet need to reconnect with myself, with my creativity, and the parts of life that make one feel alive.

Through the lens, I began to see again—not just the world, but myself. I wasn't chasing performance. I was answering a call to create, to feel, and to grow.

And now I'll ask you: What passion or purpose have you placed on pause, just waiting for you to press play again?

HABIT 2: BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND

Habit 2 says Begin with the End in Mind, reminding us to live by design, not by default. So when I set out to launch Anthony Hancock Photography, I didn't ask, "How can I make a living?" I asked, "What kind of life do I want to create in this next chapter?"

This wasn't about chasing a paycheck; it was about reclaiming purpose. It was about asking myself, "Who am I now? What do I still have to offer?"

That reflection led me to write a personal mission statement—something I had never done before. I encourage you to do the same. Mine came down to four words: Create. Uplift. Capture. Empower.

I don't just want to take photos—I want to see people, honor their truth, and tell their stories with dignity. That's not just a business mindset; that's who I am.

So I'll ask you this: Where are you headed? What legacy do you want to leave? Don't skip this question. It's not pressure—it's your compass.

HABIT 3: PUT FIRST THINGS FIRST

Once I understood the legacy I wanted to leave, the next step was clear: I had to build with purpose. Legacy isn't about what you dream—it's about what you do daily to bring that vision to life. That's where Habit 3 comes in: Put First Things First.

Build the Business with Intention became my anchor during the shift from educator to entrepreneur. I approached building Anthony Hancock Photography like a dissertation. I created a weekly plan and blocked out time for the "Big Rocks": learning editing software, understanding the tools and structure of photography, and building my brand.

I developed skills in photo editing, creating website landing pages, utilizing CRMs, and effective client communication. I learned how to write clearly, automate booking systems, and understand marketing funnels. Most importantly, I cut distractions—less scrolling, more shooting.

You see, this wasn't just about taking photos. It was about laying a foundation. I said no to what looked urgent and yes to what built real, lasting growth. Photography wasn't a hobby—it became the foundation of my entrepreneurial hustle. I said no to "urgent but unimportant" tasks and yes to strategic growth.

Remember: your calendar reflects your priorities. What's showing up on yours?

HABIT 4: THINK WIN-WIN

Let's talk about collaborating across communities. One of the most challenging transitions from academia was losing the daily connection with students, colleagues, and the community. However, Habit 4—Think Win-Win—reminded me that success isn't a solo act.

I partnered with local creative people and offered headshots to emerging professionals. I traded sessions for mentorship. That collaboration led to opportunities. You see, it's never about taking—it's about trading value.

Here's your challenge: Make a "deposit" in someone's Emotional Bank Account this week. Stephen Covey says, "When the trust account is high, communication is easy, instant, and effective." This quote underscores how consistently making deposits—through kindness, honesty, keeping promises, and showing respect—builds trust and strengthens relationships.

When that emotional "balance" is high, connection flows more naturally, whether in family, business, or community. Build trust. You'll be surprised by what returns.

HABIT 5: SEEK FIRST TO UNDERSTAND, THEN TO BE UNDERSTOOD

As we shape the identity of our brand—and ourselves—there's one tool more powerful than strategy or skill: listening. Not just to clients, trends, or critics, but to the voice within.

Habit 5 reminds us to Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood. Sometimes it means understanding yourself first. What is your soul whispering? What does your creativity quietly crave?

The answers didn't shout for me—they unfolded in journaling, prayer, and quiet moments of reflection after a photo walk through city streets. Little by little, clarity surfaced.

Listening became my compass—not just in business, but in becoming. Your pivot doesn't need to be loud, but it should be true. That inner clarity didn't just shape how I moved—it reshaped who I partnered with and how I created.

HABIT 6: SYNERGIZE

Which brings us to Habit 6: Synergize. Elevate through community. I realized that growth doesn't happen in isolation, but in collaboration. I took what I knew from higher education—curriculum design, research, people engagement, leadership, mentorship, and storytelling—and fused it with what I was learning in business: branding, visual identity, and digital marketing.

The result? A dynamic mix of academic disciplines and artistic passion. Collaboration isn't addition—it's multiplication. Don't silo your experiences. Blend them.

HABIT 7: SHARPEN THE SAW

That blend of structure and soul taught me something deeper: sustainable success requires more than output. It requires renewal. Which brings us to Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw, which reminds us that the grind means nothing without grounding.

I protect my mornings with intention—I stretch, walk, reflect, and review my goals every day. I make time to shoot for myself, not just for clients, because creativity can't thrive on empty. This rhythm of hustle and harmony keeps me sharp.

It enhances my personal growth by keeping me aligned with what matters most: peace, purpose, and presence. Professionally, it fuels sustainability. A sharpened saw cuts cleaner. A balanced life creates better work. Rest isn't a reward—it's the strategy.

When we prioritize alignment over exhaustion, we don't just sustain—we evolve.

FIVE INTENTIONAL MOVES FOR YOUR NEXT CHAPTER

And evolution demands action. So as we wrap today's episode, let's shift from reflection to momentum with five intentional moves you can start making right now to craft your next chapter:

1. Design with the End in Mind – Don't chase every opportunity. Align your work with your purpose and let your mission be the filter.

2. Hustle with Intention – Carve out weekly time for your Big Rocks—those priority goals that move the needle. Plan, execute, and refine with focus.

3. Make It Synergistic – Your past isn't behind you—it's part of your power. Leverage every experience to fuel your next chapter.

4. Sharpen Your Saw Daily – Protect your peace. Build habits that renew your energy—physically, mentally, and creatively.

5. Craft Your Personal Mission Statement – Four words. One clear direction. Let it guide what you say yes to—and what you walk away from.

And finally, if there's one step that ties it all together, it's this—number 5. Craft your personal mission statement: just four words, one powerful direction. Let it be your filter for what you commit to and what you release. Your mission isn't just a statement—it's your anchor.

Because this journey? It's more than a hustle. It's a blueprint for living and creating with intention. Your next chapter doesn't need certainty—it requires clarity, courage, and a commitment to grow forward.

This is more than a hustle. It's a blueprint for living and creating with intention.

CLOSING

Thank you for tuning in to The Intentional Hustle, where grit meets greatness. If you felt seen, heard, or motivated today, consider sharing this episode with someone embarking on their next chapter.

Please follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Bluesky, or tag your story with #TheIntentionalHustle. I'm your host, Dr. Anthony Hancock.

Until next time: sharpen your saw, walk in purpose, and hustle like a legend.

Want to connect with Dr. Anthony Hancock?
📸 Instagram: @ahancockphotography
📘 Facebook: Anthony Hancock Photography
🦋 Bluesky: @anthonyhancock
🎯 Website: ahancockphotography.com

Use #TheIntentionalHustle to join the community and share your journey.