Make sure you have scrubbed your biography and resume to ensure that it is dead on accurate. Two weeks ago I saw an otherwise promising candidate felled because she exaggerated and embellished some of the items on her resume. She learned the hard way that when you do that you will get caught, and you will have a very bad day.

Get into the habit of starting your day by glancing at your local and statewide newspapers. Candidates running for office are expected to be current on the news, well informed, and able to comment on almost any subject, including foreign policy, state issues and matters of concern in their local community.

Dress the part. For it is hard for your would be constituents to imagine you in public office if you don’t.

Think of it this way.

If the pilot of the plane flying you to California showed up wearing a Pink Floyd t-shirt, and purple shorts, would you think twice about getting on the plane? Candidates always need to be in uniform when they are in public.

Carefully go through your life history, the places you were raised, the people you know, the teachers and college professors you had, the places you worked, the clubs and organizations you belonged to. You’ll need to be in touch with some of those people before your campaign begins…to ask for campaign contributions,
quotes, testimonials or endorsements.

I’ll add one more item too often ignored by candidates. Eat balanced and regular meals, and do not stop feeding your spiritual self. All members of the human race have mental, physical and spiritual needs. If you allow one to starve, everything else goes out of whack.

Next week, I am going to talk about something called your magnetic charisma. It’s inside of you, even if you think you don’t have it. I’ll give you a little help on bringing out the best of yourself, how to look and sound like a leader even on days when you’d rather be in bed.