Listen, we all get it. Knocking doors for a political campaign can be scary. I wouldn’t trust anybody who has never been nervous when just starting out, or hitting a door on a potentially hostile house.

When you think about it, we are at our most vulnerable when we’re knocking on doors.

This is their home. You are a visitor. And depending on what’s going on during their lives, a potentially unwanted visitor.

You’re also talking about one of the most volatile subjects in our human social system. Politics. There are those who feel very strongly about it and will let you know everything they think. There are others who will be curt, refuse to share anything, and send you on your way.

Here is the secret to dealing with your fear of knocking on doors. The only door that matters is the next one.

A door knocking campaign in a ground war. If you get a jerk who shouts at you. It doesn’t matter. You’re still going to have to hit the next door.

If you get a sweetheart, who tries to set you up with a family member and takes a yard sign from you. It doesn’t matter. You’re still going to have to hit another door.

And remember. Everyone gets a mean house sometimes. After 15 years, I still get jerks. You always take the high road and move on to the next door. This campaign is bigger than one grouch. And if you win, you’ll be the last one celebrating anyways.

The only door that matters is the next one.