There’s a phrase I never want to hear or say again. It sounds harmless, even rational, but it’s often a subtle form of self-sabotage. You’ve heard it before. You’ve probably said it yourself: “I would love to do that… maybe later.”

This phrase is rarely about time. It’s not always about priorities, either. More often, it’s procrastination—a quiet, persistent force that holds us back from doing what we know we should, or once believed we wanted to. In business, procrastination can be costly. Whether you’re an employee, a business owner or an investor, delaying action can mean missed opportunities, lost momentum and room for uncertainty to take root. In the accommodation sector—fast moving and customer service driven—decisions delayed are often opportunities lost.

But procrastination doesn’t stop at work. It creeps into our personal goals, our health, our hobbies and our relationships. It’s the voice that says, “I’ll start exercising next week,” or “I’ll call that friend tomorrow.” While there’s usually a reason behind an excuse, procrastination is often more about avoidance than logic.

I’ve seen firsthand how decisive action transforms outcomes. The most successful operators aren’t always the smartest or most experienced. They’re the ones who act—who make the call, send the email, take the meeting or push the issue. They don’t wait for “later.”

There’s a familiar thought that echoes in many minds: “I should have done it 10 years ago.” It’s often followed by a sigh, a shrug and, sometimes, a decision. A decision that may not have been made before but is finally made because the excuses no longer hold power. We see this shift in consumer behaviour. Take recent caravan sales, for example. The surge isn’t just about mobility or lifestyle; it’s about people acting on long-held dreams. They’re no longer waiting for the “perfect time.” They’re doing it now.

The same principle applies to investing in the hospitality industry, particularly accommodation businesses. The reasons to invest are well known: stable income, strong returns, lifestyle benefits, long-term capital growth and a place in a thriving, resilient industry. Yet many still hesitate. Why? It’s rarely about the numbers — it’s about the leap of faith. Excuses are easy: “I’m too young,” “I’m too old,” “Maybe next year,” or “Let’s wait and see.” These thoughts can quietly override all the good reasons to move forward. But when the excuses fall away, when someone finally says, “Let’s just do it,” that’s when real change happens.

Hindsight is a cruel teacher. Missed opportunities are often recognised only long after the fact, filed away under “should’ve, could’ve, would’ve.” One of the most common refrains we hear is: “Yeah, I looked at buying a motel years ago…” But in recent years, something has shifted. That throwaway line has turned into action. People have stopped waiting. They’ve asked themselves, “What are we holding back for?” and made bold decisions — buying the caravan, buying the house or finally backing themselves to buy their own business. There’s a growing movement of people saying, “Let’s give it a go,” stepping into ownership to build something better and transform a motel business into something more than it was.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with wonderful people—individuals who have bought and sold motels multiple times, shaping their lives and careers around the opportunities that came their way. Many are no longer what you’d call “young,” yet they continue to dive into new ventures with the same energy and enthusiasm they had decades ago. These seasoned operators prove you’re never too old to take on a new business challenge. While they may no longer run their properties day-to-day, they stay deeply engaged strategising, mentoring and always watching for the next opportunity. Their stories come to mind whenever someone younger says to me, “If I were 10 years younger, I’d buy it.”

The truth is, buying your first motel or park is the biggest step. It’s a major life decision that reshapes both career and lifestyle. Like any big decision, it’s easy to procrastinate, but putting it off can lead to regret. Time has a way of sneaking up on us, and before you know it, another decade has passed. If you’ve been thinking about making the leap, don’t wait. The perfect time rarely announces itself.