The first year in a faculty position is exciting and terrifying at the same time. You have so many opportunities to contribute which is thrilling, but those seemingly limitless possibilities are also daunting at times. In my first year, I did my best to s-l-o-w down, to realize that as a faculty member I had *years* to contribute to my program, department, and university. The life of a graduate student is transitional, but the life of a faculty member in a department is potentially career-long. Knowing that I didn't have to accomplish all of my career goals in first five years helped me to shift my perspective. I began making long-term plans for my research, teaching, and service without losing sight of my immediate tenure requirements. I did my best to learn about the history and context of my program and department and that also helped alleviate the pressure I was placing on myself.