"Why High Performers Stay Stuck in Loops (Even After Building Success) — And How to FINALLY Spiral Up"
But, before I start, here's a little story about...
The Actor Who Couldn’t Escape the Stage
There was once an actor who performed the same play... every night, for years.
At first, it was exciting.
The lights ➡️ The audience ➡️ The familiar lines.
But as the years passed, something changed.
He began to feel trapped, exhausted, and numb.
So, one night, after the show, he stayed behind on the empty stage.
Looked up at the worn-out curtains, chipped props, and dusty script, and thought...
"Is this all there is?"
An old stagehand, watching from the wings, smiled and said...
"You know... you don’t have to keep running this play."
"But this is all I know," the actor replied.
"Then it’s time to write a new one."
The next night, when the cue came... he paused.
Instead of delivering the usual line, he spoke from his heart.
New words. New energy. A new "MOMENT."
The audience gasped. The other actors froze.
But something shifted.
Because...
That was the night the actor stepped off the loop - and onto the spiral.
And from that day forward, every performance felt alive. Evolving.
No more reruns. No more dusty scripts.
Just life, ACTed... not re-ACTed.
🎭Most People Aren't ACTING in Life...
They’re Re-ACTing an Old Script
(And Here’s How to Spiral Out of It)
Picture this...
Most wake up each day and unknowingly shuffle back into the same dusty old theatre of their mind.
It’s so familiar, they barely notice the faded curtains… the worn-out stage… the dog-eared script about to run again.
This is The Theatre of the Loop.
And it’s a REALLY powerful trap.
🎭 The Cast of Characters
Within this theatre, the mind hosts an entire cast:
- The Inner Critic: always ready with a harsh line
- The People Pleaser: playing to the audience
- The Rebel: rejecting before they can be rejected
- The Victim: stuck in old scenes of helplessness
- The Controller: trying to direct the whole show
They leap into their roles at the slightest cue
🎬 The Loop: How Life Scripts Re-ACT You
In this theatre, there are no fresh scenes - only recycled ones.
Trigger → Cue → Scripted Reaction → Same Result
➡️Criticism → “I’m not enough” → Withdraw or fight → Repeat
➡️Success opportunity → “I’m unworthy” → Self-sabotage → Repeat
➡️Conflict in relationship → “I’ll be abandoned” → Cling or shut down → Repeat
Day after day, year after year... the same play runs.
No forward movement — just a closed loop.
👉 Someone cuts them off → "Anger Scene #27" rolls out without thought.
👉 Boss criticizes them → "Shrinking Scene #12" hits the mark.
👉 Someone shows affection → "Push it away Scene #4" plays next.
And here’s the kicker:
Most think they’re progressing, because life keeps them Busying like a BEE.
But they’re really just running faster on the same circular stage.
🎭 Acting vs. Re-ACTing
👉 RE-ACTING:
Playing out yesterday’s lines today.
Running life from subconscious automation.
Mistaking old wounds for current wisdom.
Standing on the stage fully present.
Seeing each moment as NEW.
🌀 The Spiral: The Shape of True Change
Now picture something else...
A spiral.
A spiral doesn’t trap you in place, it lets you revisit similar moments... but from a higher level of awareness.
In a loop, you pass the same point and react the same way.
Although, in a spiral, you pass the same point again - but with NEW perception and a conscious choice.
👉 Instead of re-acting... you ACT, fresh and awake.
👉 Instead of rehearsing... you evolve.
👉 Instead of “here we go again”… it becomes “look how far I’ve come.”
👉 Our entire galaxy is a spiral.
Every star, every planet — moving through an elegant upward curve in space.
It is the architecture of progress in nature itself.
The hamster wheel?
Looks like movement.
Feels like effort.
But when you step back?
You see the cage.
👉 Nature spirals. The ego cages.
👉 Every loop can become a spiral - the choice is awareness + conscious action
Why do high performers often struggle to break out of repetitive cycles even after achieving success? Is it fear of change, perfectionism, or something deeper like identity attachment to their ‘achiever’ role?
This reminds me of how success can create invisible ceilings—once you reach a goal, the pressure to replicate or top it locks you into the same patterns. It’s not burnout, but a stagnation of vision. Maybe “spiraling up” requires redefining success itself, not just tactics.
I’ve been stuck in this loop myself—hitting targets but feeling empty afterward. What helped was shifting focus from outcomes to how I worked (e.g., curiosity over metrics). Small pivots, like learning unrelated skills, oddly reignited momentum.
The article nails it: success becomes a gilded cage when tied to external validation. True “spiraling up” means internalizing growth as the goal, not just trophies. Easier said than done, but awareness is the first step.
A.J…. BOOM!
You just scribed a masterclass right here.
That “gilded cage” line… chef’s kiss. MUAH!
Success loves to sneak in as freedom, then quietly bolts the door behind you.
And yep…
Identity loop is the sneakiest fker of all.
When “high performer” becomes the only hat in the closet, it’s no wonder the game starts feeling stale.
And… LOVE your shift toward curiosity over metrics.
That’s where the Spiral really kicks in… not grinding the same rung, but finding new ways of being inside the dance.
As you said, awareness is the first step, then comes the fun part… learning to dance with that MOFO.
Appreciate you sharing this one, A.J. keep spiralin’ up, my friend.
In your corner
Dedo (Chief MEME Officer)
P.S. Funny thing – the moment we stop trying to “climb” and start spiraling, the game changes entirely. Curious what other “small pivots” you’ve found that reignite your momentum… always gathering fresh moves.
This post effectively examines the subconscious patterns that hinder even successful individuals from reaching new heights.
It underscores the necessity of deliberate reflection and strategic adjustments to avoid getting trapped in familiar routines.
The practical recommendations for overcoming the psychology of stagnation serve as a roadmap for ongoing personal and professional development.
By recognizing and addressing these loops, professionals can unlock higher levels of performance. It is a compelling reminder that growth is a continuous process requiring awareness and proactive efforts.
Jannette, this is pure gold…
… and laced with just the right kick of clarity.
You nailed it…
Even high performers can end up looping at a higher altitude, mistaking motion for momentum.
That’s the real trap, isn’t it?
Familiar success patterns become invisible ceilings unless we pause, reflect, and rewire.
Glad the post struck a chord… and if you’re cool with it, I’d love to weave your words into an upcoming piece (with full reverence and a sly wink, of course).
Let me know if I have your blessing to echo your brilliance.
Here’s to spiraling upward, not in circles
In your corner
Dedo (Chief MEME Officer)
Thanks for sharing a useful and informative article!
A clear and powerful message that illustrates how people repeat old habits without realising it and how genuine growth arises from making new, conscious choices.
Overall, the topic is compelling, the imagery is strong, and the message lands with emotional clarity; adding a simple, actionable insight could make it even more transformative.
Keep up the good work!
Looking forward to your future posts.
Appreciate you, S.J.!
…and I’m glad the loop landed with some clarity.
Because you’re spot on…
Most folks are sleepwalking through patterns they think are choices.
That “simple, actionable insight” you mentioned?
Here’s one I’ve been playing with…
“Interrupt the pattern, even microscopically, and the entire loop loses power.”
One new decision.
One new question.
One new response.
That, right there, is a crack in the wheel.
Anyways… thanks for the nudge and encouragement bud’.
More spirals incoming.
In your corner
Dedo (Chief MEME Officer)