Let’s be real: life is just one long series of decisions. From whether to have that second cup of coffee (answer: always yes) to buying a mobile home park, every decision counts. But let’s talk about the real killer here—indecisiveness. That sneaky little habit will rob you of opportunities faster than a Black Friday sale on rent-controlled units. And in the mobile home park industry, indecision can literally cost you millions. So, how do we avoid the slow, soul-sucking death that is indecisiveness?
General Patton Knew What Was Up
Ever heard of General George Patton? The guy was a legend, and he once said, “A good plan, violently executed today, is better than a perfect plan next week.” Now, this guy wasn’t just talking out of his hat. He was making a point about decision-making. Patton knew the importance of acting now, even if it wasn’t 100% perfect.
In the mobile home park game, you don’t get the luxury of endlessly fine-tuning your plans. You think you’ve got time to mull over whether to buy that park with 70% occupancy and questionable plumbing? Think again. By the time you’ve made up your mind, someone else—someone more decisive—has already scooped it up, fixed it, and doubled their investment. Now you’re just the guy still sitting there, debating whether or not you should have ordered tortilla chips instead of the full entrée. Spoiler: You should’ve gone with the entrée.
Think Like a Man of Action, Act Like a Man of Thought
Here’s a life hack that will save you years of frustration: Think like a man of action and act like a man of thought. Notice how it doesn’t say, “Sit there like a deer in headlights and do absolutely nothing.” Because even doing nothing is a decision. You’ve decided to miss out.
You’re worried you’ll make a bad decision? That’s cute. But here’s the kicker: Not making a decision is worse. Let’s say you’re terrified of making a wrong move on a potential park acquisition. You sit on it, and you sit on it, and before you know it, the deal is dead. Now, instead of facing the shame of a bad decision, you’re dealing with a different kind of shame—the kind that comes from inaction. Your peers? They’re moving on, making bank, and eyeing their next deal. And you? Well, you’re sitting there, paralyzed by the “what ifs.”
Successful People Make Decisions—Even Risky Ones
Here’s a harsh truth: Successful people make decisions. Unsuccessful people don’t. That’s it. There’s no secret sauce. People who succeed in the mobile home park industry (and life in general) are the ones who pull the trigger when the time is right. Sure, sometimes they miss the mark, but they learn, they pivot, and they try again.
Meanwhile, indecisive folks are left watching from the sidelines, wondering why life keeps passing them by. Spoiler alert: It’s because they’re too afraid to make a move. But here’s the good news: you can get better at decision-making.
You Can’t Make Decisions If You Don’t Know What You’re Doing
One of the biggest reasons people can’t make decisions is because they lack confidence in what they’re doing. And look, I get it. Buying a mobile home park isn’t like picking a new Netflix show to binge-watch. There’s a lot at stake—your money, your reputation, your future. If you don’t know what you’re doing, of course, you’re going to be scared to make decisions.
Imagine you’re suddenly asked to perform open-heart surgery. You’d freeze, right? Because you don’t know what the hell you’re doing! Well, the same thing happens when you try to buy a mobile home park without understanding the basics. You have to educate yourself. Learn about infrastructure, occupancy rates, zoning laws, and market trends. Once you understand the game, making decisions will be a whole lot easier.
Sam Zell and the Risk vs. Reward Equation
You know who’s the master of decision-making in the mobile home park world? Sam Zell. This guy owns more mobile home parks than anyone else on the planet, and it’s no accident. His secret? He’s obsessed with weighing risk versus reward. And he’s right to be. Zell only makes deals when the potential reward justifies the risk, and if it doesn’t, he walks away. Simple, right?
Let’s break it down: if you’ve got a mobile home park with a failing septic system that might cost a million bucks to fix, but the return isn’t great, why would you take that deal? On the other hand, if the park is in good condition, 80% occupied, and has potential for increased rent, you go for it. No hemming and hawing. You make the decision and move forward. Zell’s risk vs. reward method works because it forces you to look at the big picture. Does the potential upside justify the risk? If yes, do it. If no, don’t. Simple.
Best Case, Worst Case, Realistic Case
Still struggling? Try this: Best case, worst case, realistic case. Take that mobile home park deal you’re eyeing and run the numbers. Best case? You fill all the lots, raise the rent, and everything’s golden. Worst case? The place is 70% occupied forever, and you’re dealing with deadbeat tenants and unpaid rent.
Now, what’s the realistic case? Probably somewhere in between. If you can survive the worst case and still make it work, pull the trigger. If not, walk away. This method takes the guesswork out of decision-making. You’re no longer just hoping for the best—you’re planning for the worst, and you’re still ready to move forward.
Accountability: The Missing Ingredient
Here’s where things get uncomfortable: You have to accept accountability for your decisions. In today’s world, nobody wants to be accountable for anything. It’s always someone else’s fault. The mortgage crisis? Oh, that was the banks. The housing crash? Blame the government. But here’s the thing: it was also the people who signed those mortgages.
If you make a bad decision, own it. Don’t try to pin it on someone else. Successful people don’t get there by passing the buck. Look at Dwight D. Eisenhower. When he made the decision to launch D-Day, he had no guarantees it would work. In fact, he had a speech ready in case it failed. But he made the decision anyway, and he took full responsibility for it. You can’t make good decisions if you’re constantly worried about who you’ll blame if things go south.
The Bottom Line: Act, or Be Left Behind
We all have to make decisions. Every day, every hour. In the mobile home park industry, those decisions are the difference between closing a deal and missing out on a golden opportunity. If you’re not ready to make those decisions, someone else will. And they’ll be the ones celebrating while you’re still overanalyzing spreadsheets.
So, educate yourself. Weigh the risks and rewards. Use the best case, worst case, realistic case model. And most importantly, own your decisions. Because in the end, life—and success—belongs to the decision-makers.
