“In a moment of decision,
the best thing you can do is the right thing to do.
The worst thing you can do is nothing.”
Theodore Roosevelt

"The greatest amount of wasted time is the time not getting started."
Dawson Trotman 
“You may delay, but time will not.”
Benjamin Franklin

"Procrastination is the thief of time."
Edward Young
"Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday."
Don Marquis

"You don't have to see the whole staircase,
just take the first step."
Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Even if you're on the right track -
you'll get run over if you just sit there."
Will Rogers

“Procrastination is the fear of success. People procrastinate because they are afraid of the success that they know will result if they move ahead now. Because success is heavy, carries a responsibility with it, it is much easier to procrastinate and live on the “someday I’ll” philosophy.”
Denis Waitley

And finally one of my favourites
"Procrastination is the grave in which opportunity is buried."
Author Unknown

So why you ask am I fixated on procrastination? I’ll tell you. I believe now is the time to do, not think about doing, but do. Many people I speak to have very sound strategies, yet they seem hampered to make the final decision to act. Sure, they give plenty of reasons for non action, “I want to see what happens to rates or house prices or the market after the FHOG disappear” etc. Yet my experience is that no matter what happens many of these people end up making the same decision they would have regardless of the outcomes of what they were waiting for. The only difference now is they have missed out on some of the opportunity they may once have had.

I’m not saying to those who want to wait, not to wait. There is now doubt that some Investors have specific reasons and specific strategies which is exactly my point. My comments are directed to those who are hesitating, to those who are procrastinating.

Once you have done all your homework, once you have analysed the market place and once you have formulated your strategies, the only left to do is make your decision, stick by it and act!. I guarantee that you will feel much better once you have come to a conclusion and are no longer procrastinating. My message is a simple one, don’t be afraid to make the decision.

If your strategy is to wait until some `trigger` is reached, then there are other things you should be doing during this period.

Firstly review your portfolio, review your rental income, find out if you are you getting the best return on your investment? What improvements can you make to your investment? are you making sure you have all the latest lending market up-dates?

In other words, make sure you are reviewing, assessing and looking for improvements to you investment.

But above all……. don’t procrastinate!

This article was written by Scott Whitford, General Manager of Investors Direct, an award winning Mortgage Company specialized in strategies and finance for residential property investors since 2001.  Investors Direct is the finalists in the 2008 Australian Mortgage Award for Brokerage of the Year (Over 12 Staff Category) & Best Customer Service from an Individual Office.