The Antidote to the Mid-January Slump
Monday, January 19, 2026, marks an interesting intersection on our calendars. To many, it is "Blue Monday", statistically cited as the day when the cold weather, the arrival of post-holiday bills, and the fading of New Year’s resolutions converge to create a seasonal low in morale. But more importantly, today is a day dedicated to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
As business leaders, we often find ourselves caught between these two energies: the heavy "weight" of the daily grind and the "light" of a larger vision. If you’re feeling the mid-January slump today, the solution might not be more caffeine or a better spreadsheet. The solution might be Purpose.
Dr. King famously said: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” In a business context, we often get so wrapped up in the what (the product) and the how (the logistics) that we lose sight of the who. When we lose the who, we lose our momentum.
Purpose isn’t just a buzzword for a mission statement on a lobby wall; it is the most effective fuel for resilience. When the "Blue Monday" fog sets in, we find our way through it by remembering that our businesses are engines of service for our community.
How do we translate this high-level reflection into our workday here in Cape Girardeau?
- From Transaction to Transformation Take a moment to look past the invoice or the order number. Who is the person on the other side? Whether you are a dry cleaner saving a client’s big interview or a tech firm securing a family’s data, you are solving a human problem. Re-centering your team around the benefit you provide to your neighbor can instantly lift the "Monday Blues."
- Build Your "Beloved Community" Dr. King spoke of the "Beloved Community", a place where justice and cooperation prevail. In your office or shop, this starts with how we treat our internal "neighbors." Today is a perfect day to check in on a staff member or mentor a junior colleague. Investing in your people is an act of service that builds a lasting culture.
- Take the First Step (Even if the Staircase is Dark) January often feels like standing at the bottom of a very long staircase. If you’re facing a daunting Q1 goal or a difficult pivot in your business, remember that faith, and leadership, is about taking that first step anyway. Courage is contagious; when you lead with purpose, your team will follow.
The "Blue Monday" slump only wins if we believe our work is a series of empty tasks. But when we view our local business community as a network of people serving people, the day takes on a new color.
Today, I encourage you to look at your "to-do" list through the lens of Dr. King’s "urgent question." How is your work making Southeast Missouri a better place to live? When you find that answer, you’ll find the energy to climb any staircase.
Let’s keep building together!