The 30-Second CEO Mindset Shift Most Leaders Miss in Mid-January.

When motivation drops, true leadership habits show up.

Author

Glenda Carnate
January 13, 2026

Read time: 2.5 minutes

Early January is all about energy, but by mid-January, any lack of structure becomes clear.

At the start of the year, teams come back rested, plans feel new, and everyone is motivated. By mid-January, though, that excitement fades. People feel less energetic, schedules get busy, and reality sets in. This is when having good systems matters more than just good intentions.

Many leaders respond by working harder, adding pressure, and speeding things up. This can seem like strong leadership, but it often causes stress inside the team. You end up with more action, but less clarity.

What do strong leaders change in mid-January?

  1. Focus on fewer things. Too many priorities can slow you down. When you pick just a few goals, your team feels more stable.

  2. Make it clear what matters most right now. Not knowing the main goal can drain your team’s energy even more than a heavy workload.

  3. Finish up any loose ends. Unmade decisions slow teams down and add extra stress.

  4. Cut down on distractions before trying to move faster. Calm, organized teams end up getting more done in the long run.

  5. Watch how your team reacts. Often, pushback means people are confused, not lazy.

💡Key Takeaway: 

Mid-January isn’t about going faster... it’s about getting steady again. Leaders who help their teams find balance now will make the rest of the year feel easier and more manageable. That’s the mindset shift most people miss.

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