Finding my starting point....

Here I am, less than one week away from starting my first courses at a new university- a newly minted tenure track assistant professor- and I find myself spinning. So, instead of finalizing syllabi, mapping out course agendas, outcomes and assessments I am writing this. Hoping, perhaps, the process of making my internal external by journaling (aka blogging) my thoughts, I will clear out the clutter, organize my inner chaos and find an anchor.

In search of something, anything, that will ground me from the mental spin that my mind is in to organize me into a new way of being, I found 2 books to guide me (like any good academic, right?). And because tasks to checkoff a to-do list seem much more manageable than the mental work of organizing my inner chaos, I have proudly checked off all the technical to-dos of a new job. My e-mail is set up, my office key is in hand, my parking pass is on my car, and my computer is in working order. I can even log in! So what now?

When all around you is familiar, yet completely new, how to you anchor yourself towards a path of successful productivity?

Or even to just begin.

I need some help, so I will look to others to guide my beginnings and embark upon a personal book study.

How, you might ask, well... ask Amazon of course.

Is that bad?

I told you I was going to be raw.

What I "should" do, perhaps, is search the current databases for primary source research articles on tenure track or new faculty development, but right now that seems daunting as I can't even think of the correct key words for such a search. Instead, I turn to my faithful supporter of all aspects of my life... Amazon!

What to search for? Easy, new faculty and tenure track. 

Here is what I found, without overthinking it (ha, is that possible for those of use with Ph.D.s?), I purchased both to light the way through and within my inner chaos.

The Coach's Guide for Women Professors: Who Want a Successful Career and a Well-Balanced Life

Seltzer, Rena

AND

 Advice for New Faculty Members

Boice, Robert

Stay tuned for what I do with them!