BEFORE we know it, it will be the 2014 election season. Frankly, some say it’s already in full swing.

With 16 months to the primary and 18 to the general election, potential candidates are in reflection mode.

Should you run for office?

You should if you have sincere, deep concern about our island community. If you are able to define issues that you believe you can develop to help all people live to their fullest potential, that’s a critical indicator. Voters want to know what you will be representing. As well, voters want to know that you will be able to study and deliberate the issues that aren’t at the top of your priority list. You are elected to render service across the spectrum.

You should run for office if you have energy and time. Time management is essential. Health counts. You need to be able to balance elected life with family life. Both are important and one aspect cannot over-shadow the other. Folks will disagree with me about this – but I’ve always said that if you cannot take care of your own family, you have no business taking care of other families.

You should run for office if you have thick skin. Living in a glass house is hard. I’m criticized for what I wear, what I say, what I do. More often than not, there’s no winning. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. So, you have to know what you stand for, what you are, and how you work. You have to have the confidence to hold your head up, particularly when the criticism is hitting you like pellets – whether outwardly or silently. You will learn quickly that friendship takes a skewed definition in the political world.

You should run for office if you like people. Politics is about relationships and working with all people. Your door has to be open and accessible. Some folks purposely situate their office so that it’s hard to get to. That thought always has me wondering why they ran in the first place. Listening to people and their concerns, frustrations, anger, wishes, dreams is crucial to representing them. This takes time and you must be willing to dedicate time to being with the people.

You should run for office if you work well with others. As a mayor, you are the first responder in many ways. You have to collaborate with everyone else and need the skill set that has people answering your calls. As a senator, you have to be able to listen to stakeholders who agree with you and who don’t agree with you. Just as important, you have to be able to work on your side of the aisle and across the aisle. Attitude is paramount. Any person who enters the legislature believing they have all the answers is doomed. Arrogance is fatal.

You should run for office if you are honest. As in any profession, character counts. Integrity ensures that decisions are made for the right reasons. You will learn that once you are victorious as an elected official, people then proclaim you as disingenuous with hidden agendas. That, perhaps, is the most difficult aspect of this job for me. Solid character to the core helps you reflect, deliberate, and act – even if that action is unpopular.

You should run for office if you can access resources. The whole branding process from identity to design to production to presence requires strategic mapping. Fundraising is a most humbling experience. And, because only a handful of people have expendable income and because those same people will be asked by many other candidates, meet with them early. And, make sure to say thank you.

There are many names popping up for 2014. Best of luck! Thank you for caring about our island enough to want to help.