Red Friday: The silent storm leaders face in January (and what you can do about it)

January carries a unique weight for business owners and leaders. While many people step into the new year filled with optimism and resolutions, leaders often experience the opposite. The pressure to revitalise the business, re-energise teams, and tackle lingering issues from the previous year can lead to what I call an ’emotional overdraft’ – the invisible yet costly price leaders pay when they trade their mental and physical health for business success.

We all know about Blue Monday, but for leaders, it’s Red Friday – the second Friday of January (in 2025 it’s the 10th) – that marks the true turning point. By then, the holiday break feels like a distant memory, client demands have surged, employees hand in their notices, and cash flow headaches from delayed payments add to the strain. It’s no surprise that optimism wanes and fatigue sets in.

Reflecting on the launch of The Emotional Overdraft in January 2024, I realised how common this cycle is among the leaders I interviewed. Nearly every one of them admitted to dipping into their emotional reserves to keep their businesses afloat. But while occasional overdrafts are normal, consistently operating from this place is unsustainable. So, as Red Friday looms, how can leaders protect their wellbeing and set themselves up for a more resilient 2025?

The Emotional Overdraft: what it means for leaders

An emotional overdraft occurs when leaders consistently sacrifice their personal health and happiness to manage business demands. Over time, this can lead to burnout, decreased resilience, and strained personal relationships.

In my book, I identified ten drivers of emotional overdraft, including:

– Duty: Believing the buck always stops with you.

– Trust: Feeling you must personally oversee every detail.

– Urgency: Constantly firefighting without pausing to reflect.

– Cost: Holding back on investment in support or resources, even when necessary.

When these drivers are left unchecked, Red Friday isn’t just another hard day at the office – it becomes part of a damaging pattern.

Actionable steps for leaders to manage Red Friday

Recognise the signs early

    Start by acknowledging the signs of emotional overdraft. Do you feel anxious returning to work after the holiday? Are you micromanaging tasks you know others could handle? Track these patterns and reflect on what might be driving them.

    A practical step is to complete the Emotional Overdraft Self-Assessment. It helps pinpoint which drivers are at play and highlights where small changes can create the biggest impact.

    Embrace Delegation – But Do It Fully

      Many leaders delegate in theory but not in practice. Real delegation involves giving others the autonomy to not only complete tasks but make decisions along the way. Trust your team. They grow when given responsibility – and you get to lighten your load.

      Ask yourself: What’s one task you regularly pick up that someone else could manage if given the right support? Make it your goal to delegate this by the end of the week.

      Implement the 20% Rule

      I often share the ‘20% of Your Time’ exercise with leaders who feel overburdened:

      – 20% of your time should focus on work only you can do.

      – 20% on skilled tasks others could handle with more experience.

      – 20% on complex but non-specialist tasks.

      – 20% on tasks that many team members could manage.

      – 20% on tasks that *anyone* could do.

      Imagine if you stopped doing some of those 20%’s? By eliminating or delegating these tasks, you could double or more the time spent on core leadership responsibilities. Energy reclaimed.

      Create a Personal Board

      No leader should navigate Red Friday alone. Build a personal board of trusted advisors – a mentor, peer, or coach. These individuals offer guidance, hold you accountable, and remind you to prioritise your wellbeing.

      Additionally, give key members of your team permission to challenge you if they see you slipping back into unhealthy habits.

      Reframe your relationship with stress

      One of the most damaging leadership myths is that stress equals success. This belief is deeply ingrained, but it’s false. Leaders who sleep well, set boundaries, and embrace delegation often achieve more than those constantly in overdrive.

      Remember, running a business will always bring challenges. But approaching them from a place of balance and clarity – rather than burnout – makes you more effective in the long run.

      Planning for a resilient year ahead

      Red Friday – or Blue Monday for that matter – doesn’t have to derail your new year or even your first month back. By recognising the triggers of emotional overdraft and making small but meaningful changes, leaders can set the tone for a healthier, more productive 2025.

      It starts with self-awareness and ends with action. Whether it’s delegating one more task, building your personal board, or simply allowing yourself to rest, each step counts. And as you navigate January, remember: anything that costs you your mental health is too expensive.

      If you’re curious to explore more, take the free Emotional Overdraft Self-Assessment and start the journey toward better balance today.

      Andy.

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