But he is sure about taking next season off.
The 26-year-old left-arm spin bowler is putting his cricket career on hold to concentrate on his fledgling real estate sales career.
"With everything I've been through I got to see what it is like doing a nine-to-five job and being in the real world and I liked it,'' Beard said.
"It is something I want to concentrate on - for the next year, anyway.''
Beard made his first-class debut for Otago in March 2009 but it was in the limited-overs formats in which he showed the most potential.
He had a nice flat trajectory which made hitting the ball to the boundary quite a challenge.
He flourished in twenty20, taking 44 wickets for Otago at an average of 26.25. His economy rate of 6.89 was quite exceptional.
Beard appeared on track to realise his dream of playing international cricket but was forced to reassess his future when his action was ruled illegal 18 months ago.
He worked on his action and fought his way back into the Otago line-up. He played two first-class games at the beginning of the season but struggled. He conceded more than five runs an over and took just six wickets at an average of 51.33.
While it was not an impressive return, his remodelled action was still bedding in. However, Beard felt he had not been enjoying the game as much as he should and wanted to pursue other options.
"If my action had not been pinged I'd probably still be playing regular cricket and that would not have given me the chance to go and experience what it is like to work in the real world.
"I guess I see the whole action thing as a bit of a blessing in a way, really. I'm able to experience something else outside of the game and I've really enjoyed that.''
Beard has plans to return to cricket but it could prove to be a tricky wicket. If his real estate career takes off during his cricketing absence, then walking away from his business to pursue what ambitions he has left on the cricket field could leave him torn.
"I've found, with starting in this business, if you're half-hearted, you are not going to get the results. I guess that is why I've decided to take next season off and see where it goes.
"If it does not work out, I could go back to cricket. But if it does work out, I can reassess from there.
"It could be in a year's time I want to get back on to the field because I'm missing the game. I've got options, and really I just want to see what I enjoy the most.''
