The Time To Get Out Of Politics.

Some people have a knack for knowing precisely when to hang it up. They leave the scene on top of the wave that propelled them to Ottawa. Others, discover that they are suddenly and precipitously sinking fast -- so they scoot out of town with less than a minute to spare. Then there are those with little to no political instinct -- not to mention judgment, who deliberately choose to ignore the pressing political reality and unexpectedly find themselves going down spectacularly in flames.

With all the above in mind, I want to offer the politicians some friendly words of advice: you had better be hard as nails if you want to survive in this game; your confidence and esteem levels have to be stratospheric and your personal hide as tough as shoe leather.

If you don't have all of that, quite frankly, you don't belong in the federal arena. Remember, if everything starts grating on you, if every issue hotly debated is viewed as a personal attack, if each passing day you find it more difficult to maintain your good humour -- not to mention your temper, then get out -- because the expiration of your best-before date is rapidly approaching.

As Truman famously said, if you can't take the heat, then get out of the kitchen. Just do the job. When it gets to the point where all you can do is feel sorry for yourself, complain and whine, then the time has arrived to hang up your political skates...