The Hard Loop: Why You’re Not Broken—You’re Just in a Cycle

Change isn’t a single moment. It’s a loop.
It’s not linear. It’s not clean. And it’s not just you.

In fact, even when change is working, we’re still somewhere in the Hard Loop—a continuous cycle we return to again and again.

At some point, we all hit the wall. We say:

Let me say this clearly:
That’s not failure. That’s the loop.

Reflect: "The hard is too much."

This is where the fire burns out. Where everything feels foggy and heavy. Where showing up becomes an act of will.

Here’s what you don’t need here: another productivity hack.
What you do need? Space. Grace. Grief.

We must feel to move.
At this stage, the emotional system takes the lead. We need to create room for our body and mind to catch up with reality. We grieve. We journal. We walk. We breathe. We name what’s been lost—control, certainty, momentum.

We’re not being weak. We’re being human.
The worst thing we can do here is pretend we’re already okay.

Respond: "I can survive the hard."

This is when the fog lifts just enough for us to see a way forward. Our emotions might still be reeling, but the prefrontal cortex kicks in. Strategy begins. We start to adapt.

You might not feel like a hero yet, but that doesn’t matter. You’re moving.

Survival mode is underrated. It’s practical. It's clean clothes, food on the table, a calendar that makes sense again.
In this phase, don’t rush inspiration. Just focus on responding wisely, and not reacting blindly.

Reimagine: "I can do the hard."

Here’s where the heart and mind begin to align.
You’re not out of the woods yet—but the path forward starts to feel possible.

In this stage, we start asking better questions:

This is where our identity begins to shift.
We remember: this hard is worth it.
We reimagine not just how we work, but why we work.
And sometimes, that’s where power returns.

Recommit: "I can win the hard."

Now we’re back in the saddle. Vision sharpens. Action aligns. Control feels real again (even if it’s still a little messy).

This isn’t blind optimism—it’s values-backed commitment.
You’ve earned your momentum. You believe in your plan. And more importantly, you believe in yourself.

But let’s be honest: this too is temporary.

At some point, the next curve will hit.
You’ll dip. You’ll reflect again.
And that’s okay. That’s the loop.

Built for Hard™ means built for the whole loop.

We’ve been sold a version of success that’s all peak and no valley.
That’s why it hurts so much when the dip comes.
We think: “This must mean I’m not cut out for it.”

But here’s the truth:
Even Olympic rowers cry into their oars.
Even CEOs stare at the ceiling at 3am.
Even high performers need time to fall apart a little.

If you’re in the hard, you’re not broken.
You’re just somewhere in the loop.

Keep going.
You’re built for this.

Change doesn’t get easier. You just get better at navigating it.
That’s what Built for Hard™ leadership is all about.

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Adam Kreek is on a mission to positively impact organizational cultures and leaders who make things happen.

He authored the bestselling business book, The Responsibility Ethic: 12 Strategies Exceptional People Use to Do the Work and Make Success Happen. 

Want to increase your leadership achievement? Learn more about Kreek’s coaching here.

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