If you are looking to truly change the world, being a politician may be your calling. Inside the office, you can advocate for change! How cool is that feeling? The path won't be easy -- and it certainly won't be short -- but it will be well worth it. Are you ready to make a powerful impact?
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Part 1 of 3: Getting Started
Step 1. Enter university
While it's true that "anyone" can become a politician (depending on your definition of a politician of course), the people who do make a difference in society and who can call it a career have all attended university. They enjoy studying economics, business, political science, or international relations. After all any scholar is better than none!
- Many choose law or business school. It's not a mandatory requirement, but certainly not a bad idea. If you want to be the best, that's wise and of course you are. In the US Congress, currently 68 are from lawyers or businesses. Just for the record.
- Looking back, military experience was quite common. That's certainly not a bad idea – we are all experts who support their country. But things aren't that common nowadays and if you don't feel the pressure to conform to the president's character, there's no shame in keeping your office job.
Step 2. Volunteer
With volunteer experience on your resume, it's hard for people to tell you, "You're an unbelievable good person." Because that means the person doesn't like small dogs. To get your vote, you need to show that you support all good causes, that you spend your time and care about your community. The easiest way to do it? Volunteer.
You can start volunteering from a local campaign, but it can also be a good idea to expand your interests beyond politics. Join a non-profit organization, help the homeless, get involved in an organization you would support if you had the power. Show the world how perfect (and moral) you are
Step 3. Join the political party
Running a Jane/John party isn't going to get you much attention (yes, at least good attention). If you are serious about politics, you need to join a well-established political party. That way you'll gain support, you'll meet like-minded friends and followers, and in some cases, people will see your name and assume you're good to follow.
Or don't. Whatever that is. That is why there is an independent party. However, remember that following this side and being elected to the office is like running blind up the hill with Skip-Bo on your knees, carrying a screaming monkey on your back. People do love names and they really like them and feel like they understand them. “Independent” is sadly not one of those things
Step 4. Pay your dues on the “others” campaign
If you're lucky enough to know what you're going to do when you're young, then one good way to make progress in this area is to work on other people's campaigns. It may be a grunt work, but you can get a peek at what's really going on inside and benefit your network. Which is very important of course.
You might knock on doors, put flyers in boxes or put stamps on letters, but you're about to do something. This will earn you credit for those roles when you are at the top – and reliable people will admire you too
Step 5. Become active in your community
If no one knows you from Joe, it's hard to earn people's trust in you with him, whatever that is, of course. So get active in that place! Be the person everyone knows. People who are always involved in whatever it is. You can develop your reputation!
A good place to start? Community meeting. Hang out at the local school student council, town meeting, and the like and speak up. Be active. Starting from the bottom is your only way to raise it. So attend your local headquarters party, ask a few questions, and find a seat
Step 6. Get a flexible career
While most important politicians are entrepreneurs or lawyers, people in different regions and countries are usually different. Your city representative could be a grocery store owner, teacher, factory supervisor, or whatever. Since in politics you probably won't get paid for even ten or twenty years, find a job and find something flexible – unless you have enough money to spend ten years.
This flexible part is very important because there will be times when politics takes over. You've got to spend your afternoons on meetings, you've got to spend a week on conventions, or you've got to spend six months on campaigns. The more flexible you are, the less objectionable you will be in the long run
Part 2 of 3: Entering the Arena
Step 1. Get your passion for something
Very few people become politicians simply because they simply find it exciting. When they want to “change the world,” they have a common opinion about what to change. So before you jump into this world, find something you want to support. Find something that motivates you. Get your passion.
Does the condition of your city's highways constantly bother you? Do you want to keep your local hospital from being moved elsewhere? Would you like to provide more green spaces in your neighborhood? Good! You don't have to wait for that good thing because it's a two-party system. What you need is to be a driving force for your own party program and your cause for campaigning
Step 2. Start locally
Even though you can go from student council president to president…you're just looking for trouble. If you want to pursue it and succeed, start small. You have several options:
- student council
- City council
- Mayor
- County supervisor
Step 3. Check your bank savings
Okay, you've decided to run. It might be a mayor, it might be a circuit overseer, it might be a state legislator. The higher the rank, the more money you need. Do you have extra savings if something goes wrong? What if your campaign is understaffed and you need to cover some of its funds? What if you lose the election and your job is no longer available when you want to come back? Do you have enough money?
Campaigns are expensive. Much more expensive than you realize before you first enter. There are travel expenses, payments for your team, marketing fees, and seduction fees, here are just a few starting lists. Ideally, these things will not be paid for by you. Ideally
Step 4. Develop your campaign
Now for the fun stuff! The like. At least the adrenaline-boosting stuff. You need to gather a group of people you trust to run it, but “you” need to develop it. How would you like to convey outgoing messages? How big a team can you make? On what would you emphasize? How do you handle your opponent?
Three words: Start. Gather. Fund. Start raising funds "now" too. Ask for funds from everyone you know (you've treated them well because you knew this day would come, right?). In fact you've only met once and they're not even your Facebook friends, ask. No need to be ashamed
Step 5. Lean on your (rich) friends
This is when having a fancy club comes in handy. You need cash flow to keep things running smoothly and a semi-annual donation of IDR 100,000,00 from Tante Marge doesn't get it done. You need "thousands" of those. So it doesn't matter whether you lean on the Pinot Grigio with Gateses or serve him, know where to lean. The unfortunate truth actually.
This is the reason why having a name for a while is so helpful. The right people might be able to notice you and think you can keep your promises in politics. This is why getting involved in one of those big parties is a great idea -- it's a powerful platform to get attention
Step 6. Reach across the state
Once you've dominated the local area, you may need to find better opportunities to grab. So, reach out to the whole province! Become a lawmaker -- get involved in the MPR or DPR. You've proven you can afford it, so it's possible to get funded with it too!
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It's actually a lot of resemblance, only to a greater extent. And to a greater degree brings more scrutiny. And also more funds. In general, everything is more. Certainly more time.
And because of this “more time” issue, make sure you discuss it with your family and those you are close to. Your life will never be the same again and you will no longer be as accessible as you are now. You're going through all of this and you're probably going to be very depressed about it. But hopefully it will all pay off
Step 7. Continue even if it's hard
If you are successful and you are selected, as a beginner then congratulations! Continuation will be depressed and hair will turn gray faster, but you will make a difference going forward!
If you are not successful, don't give up easily. If this is something you are truly interested in, your time will come. You have to move on and don't take this to heart. The world outside is fierce and you have no other way. If it was easy, then it wouldn't be as meaningful as this. So calm down and move on. There will always be another round
Part 3 of 3: Strengthening Persona
Step 1. Become a great public speaker
If there's only one skill you have, it's public speaking. Your face, your voice, your “you” will be the center of attention at least until the election is over. People will always be watching you and analyzing your every move. If you can convince them with your winning smile, calm demeanor, and reassurance that you're a good fit for the job, then all will be well.
The most prominent examples are Barack Obama and JFK. When Barack stood at the back of the pulpit, his charisma immediately came out of him. The ability to speak in public brought him to this day. And then there's also the famous JFK/Nixon debate, where JFK is so calm, cool and focused where he makes all the nervousness, Nixon's nervousness seem like a joke. Then upgrade
Step 2. Have a collection of clothes
When JFK educates Nixon for his charisma, it doesn't hurt because he looks 100x better and tidier. If you want to be noticed, you have to look like that. This means it comes with a cool tie, suit, and khakis. And shoes too! Don't forget the shoes.
In general you need two looks: a good look, a cool suit for formal purposes and Oxford and khaki when you talk in a city hall. This applies to both men and women, although women's suits can be skirts or pants
Step 3. Reinforce your view
If you expect people to vote for you, you have to have your own point of view and yours has to be on point. No weakness -- or you'll be called out sooner than you say "John Edwards." Hope you understand the pre-campaign (though in politics, changing one's heart isn't exactly common).
You may be encouraged to align your views with the majority. No book says you have to. Your team may want you to do it, but you don't have to. You will get votes, but what will happen when the time for the payment of sins comes? Hopefully the feeling of Catholic guilt doesn't bother you?
Step 4. Get comfortable with the media and their antics
Once you become a politician, you basically end your privacy. You are the person who most closely resembles a movie star. Your picture is pasted everywhere from buses to Everyday Events. And it won't always be good. Then it's going to be hard to handle the constant snapping of photography at you and always faking a smile, it's going to be harder to handle criticism. Are you able to handle it?
The mix of politicians and scandal is so absurd it's hilarious. If you run an office, be prepared to deal with all the good things from dishonorable dismissals while you were in the military to DUI demands to speeding up tickets 27 years ago. If even the slightest naughty thing, it might come back to haunt you
Step 5. Be tough
This is not a career for the faint of heart. This will include staying up late, name calling, pleading, and much more that is trivial. There will be times when you feel on top of the world and there will be times when you feel on top of yourself. You will not know the shame and confidence that is impermeable to anything else. Are you ready?
