Ruth Anita Foote

Category: Uncategorized

Time to Break Up—and Let the Addictions Go

Store aisle filled with Mardi Gras decorations in purple, green, and gold, including beads, masks, and festive signage, illustrating seasonal overload and constant visual temptation.

The holidays barely have time to breathe before they’re replaced—nearly stomped out—as retailers race toward the next sale. One celebration blends into the next until you’re not quite sure what season you’re in anymore. You didn’t imagine it. But one thing is certain, they play on your addictions. Addictions occur also in your business, career, […]

Knock, Knock: Are You Answering the Door for 2026?

A realistic horizontal image of a hand reaching for a door knob from inside a home, with warm light coming through the doorway and the number 2026 subtly visible on the other side, symbolizing stepping into a new year, a knock to let it in.

Knock, knock… Each year, we pause—if only briefly—to acknowledge what we’ve accomplished. Some victories were large and life-altering. Others were quiet, personal, and just as meaningful. And yet—if we’re honest—there’s usually a cringe or two. Those lingering goals. The projects that didn’t quite make it across the finish line. You likely thought you had more […]

The Big Picture: Defining Your Life Goals for 2026 and Beyond

An unfinished jigsaw puzzle on a wooden table with several missing pieces, showing a scenic landscape at sunset as a hand prepares to place another piece, symbolizing the big picture coming together.

It’s not a fault. We grow accustomed to our immediate surroundings—our routines, our rhythms, our so-called comfort zones. Even those who venture farther than others often circle back to what feels familiar. But—we all tend to forget about the Big Picture. Some people thrive on challenge. They climb, leapfrog, and take risks—sometimes even taking everyone’s […]

You DO You: Stop Being a People Pleaser

A Diagnosis I Never Expected I never viewed myself as a People Pleaser. But it was a rude awakening when I took a personality test created by best-selling author Ruth Soukup—yes, my namesake. The results puzzled me. I was labeled not only a People Pleaser, but also an Outcast. Strangely enough, I wore the Outcast […]

Black Friday Blues: Has Holiday Shopping Losts Its Magic?

A realistic horizontal scene of a diverse group of shoppers of all ages rushing forward inside a store during a chaotic Black Friday event, with people pressing toward the front and the energy of the crowd clearly visible.

Once upon a time, Black Friday used to mean something. Much more than it means today. I recently found myself thinking such thoughts when I noticed that the shopping centers were not full, let alone overflowing, the day after Thanksgiving—as they had been in years past. Then a young comedian verified my feelings. He had […]

Prep or Pressure: Are you an Early Bird or Last-Minute?

Split image showing an African American woman stretching happily in bed during a bright morning on the left, and a focused blonde man working late at night on a laptop under a desk lamp on the right, representing early birds versus last-minute workers.

Are you the early bird, or the last-minute person? There’s rarely an in-between. It’s either-or—that’s all. Take it or leave it—but that’s the way it usually is. And while you may gravitate toward one pole more than the other, most of us know ourselves well enough to admit we lean heavily in one direction. Accepting […]

Why Your Inner Child Matters in 2026

A horizontal, realistic photograph of an older African American man in his 50s working at his office desk while viewing stock charts on his computer screen. A small 5-year-old boy, representing his inner child, gently leans over his shoulder and watches the screen with him. The warm office setting and their shared focus symbolize reflection, guidance, and the connection between past and present self.

As we move into 2026, the countdown already feels like sand slipping through our fingers — but let’s make sure we don’t leave our inner child behind. Bring her (or him) with you. Psychologists say our inner child is the foundation of our essence — who we are, what we do, and why we do […]

Clearing Clutter Before the New Year

Eliminating clutter is symbolized in this realistic classical-style painting of Apollo flying through the sky with winged sandals, wearing flowing terracotta drapery, his muscular form illuminated against a backdrop of blue sky and clouds.

As Thanksgiving rolls to an end, and with Christmas less than a month ahead, 2026 calls out to us — louder and clearer. While we’re grateful for the holiday season, it’s also the perfect moment to release the clutter that has quietly settled into our lives. In other words: Do your spring cleaning now. Yes […]

Pillars of Salt: Escaping Regret and Fear of Tomorrow

Regret? Looking back? Not living in the present moment? It seems like that these themes kept surfacing in recent posts by thought leaders I respect and enjoy following. Looking back reminded me of Lot’s wife, turned into a pillar of salt. Thought of that image always made me shudder. Who wants to become a pillar […]

My Dog Ain’t in That Fight: Boundaries Matter

A calm Beagle dog sits by a window watching two dogs bark outside in a yard, representing observing conflict without joining it.

When I was working at a nonprofit, I had a colleague who often said: “My dog ain’t in that fight.” Words of wisdom, with a Louisiana flair, from an elder. And words to heed in our business, career, and personal life. Often, we’re tempted to intervene in controversy or confrontation that has nothing to do […]