Marking the Miles: A litany of the saints, of sorts

After two days at my new job, my head is swimming.

But at the risk of mixing my athletic metaphors, I'm trying to remind myself that this sort of transition is a marathon, not a sprint.

Ah, yes, a marathon.

And so I return to my cleverly devised blog device, the 26-item list, presenting to you 26 thoughts, questions and musings that have raced through my mind since 8 a.m. Monday.

1. What if I can't do this? What if the empress proves to have no clothes?

2. I love that two meetings I've attended have been started with prayer.

3. People seem genuinely excited to meet me and pleased that I'm there.

4. I hope I don't let them down.

5. A colleague today told me he was sold on me after i interviewed with him, to the point he recommended me over a candidate he originally had suggested. I was deeply honored by that -- and then I realized I could let him down BIG.

6. I really, really like being around Father Dan, the CEO. I believe in him.

7. I worry about my leadership skills and potential. Will I have what it takes to inspire people? 

8. I love that I have an office, with a door! 

9. The flip side is I feel very alone at times.

10. I need help remembering that I wouldn't have a job like this if God hadn't put me there. So I have to hope -- or, actually, believe -- that He'll help me do a good job.

11. I hate addressing conflict and didn't do that well at The Enquirer. I  know I'll have to do that at SAMP eventually; will I have the guts to handle it directly and effectively?

12. I really want everyone to like me, which probably isn't a good thing.

13. I feel like all eyes are on me.

14. In fact, at times I feel like I'm still interviewing. 

15. Because of that, I think I'm trying too hard to say the right thing. I need help saying what I really mean -- which, very often, is that I have no idea.  I answered one question today in such a convoluted fashion, I'm really embarrassed as I recall it.

16. Do I have what it takes to manage a department budget? 

17. I need a safety net, and I think there isn't one.

18. What if I can't do this? What if I got in over my head?

19. I'm trying really, really hard to meet everyone and let them know I care and I have their back. I think I did that well at The Enquirer. I hope so, anyway.

20. I am going to focus on listening.

21. I know no one expects me to have answers yet; I do realize that. But I wonder how long the "new guy" grace period lasts.

22. Everyone at SAMP is very friendly and welcoming.

23. I still use the words "my," "we," "our" and "us" when I talk about The Enquirer.

24. The drive in hasn't been bad at all yet. (Knock on wood.) 

25. Getting up at 6 isn't the worst thing ever; it's actually much harder to get myself to bed before midnight.

26. I want to be great at this job and make my colleagues happy, my friends and family proud, and my faith stronger and more present.

Say a prayer for me, would you? 

On to Day 3.