Last Updated on September 9, 2025
What time of day does your brain work the best?
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Daily rituals for tax lien & deed investors: using your best hours wisely
What time of day does your brain work best?
Everyone has a chronotype — a natural pattern that determines when we feel most alert. Studies show that creative thinking is highest in the morning, particularly between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., when the prefrontal cortex is most active and our attention span peaks. The early afternoon (1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.) is a trough period when performance drops, and a smaller second peak in analytical thinking occurs later in the day (around 4:00–9:30 p.m.). While the exact times vary by person, recognising when you perform at your best helps you schedule work that matters most.
Why do daily rituals matter for tax‑sale investors?
Real‑estate entrepreneurs juggle research, auctions, paperwork and personal responsibilities. Without structure, urgent but low‑value tasks (e.g., answering emails) consume the day. Building consistent daily rituals solves this problem. By reserving your peak cognitive hours for high‑impact “making” tasks (researching counties, evaluating tax‑deed properties, preparing bids), you avoid decision fatigue. Decision fatigue refers to the deteriorating quality of decisions after a long session of choosing; repeated low‑value decisions (social media, emails) deplete mental resources. A simple ritual shields your best thinking time from distractions and results in better deals and higher returns.
What is the difference between making and managing?
We divide our work into making (producing revenue) and managing (administration). Making tasks include:
- Conducting due diligence on tax‑deed lists and county rules.
- Reviewing market data and property comps.
- Attending auctions or preparing bids.
- Negotiating with sellers or partners.
Managing tasks are necessary but support rather than generate revenue:
- Responding to routine emails and phone calls.
- Filing paperwork and organising files.
- Paying bills and reconciling accounts.
- Social media or non‑essential browsing.
The problem arises when managing tasks fill the morning. Starting the day with email burns cognitive fuel and willpower, leaving little energy for complex analyses. Research shows that individuals experiencing decision fatigue are more prone to avoidant behaviours and make poorer trade‑offs. By contrast, scheduling making tasks during your peak hours ensures you use your limited mental energy on decisions that directly improve your investment portfolio.
How do I find my best thinking time?
Reflect on when you feel most energetic and clear‑headed. For some, it’s the early morning; others focus better in late afternoon or evening. Try tracking your energy for a week. Note when you solve problems quickly, feel enthusiastic and produce high‑quality work. Align your ritual accordingly. For example, my most productive window is 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., so I schedule property research and bid preparation then. Managing tasks (emails, admin) are relegated to later in the day when my energy dips.
Suggested daily structure
The table below summarises when to tackle various tasks. Use it as a starting point and adjust based on your own chronotype.
| Task category | Suggested time (local) | Why |
| High‑value “making” tasks (due diligence, market analysis, bid preparation) | Mid‑morning to early afternoon (around 8 a.m.–1 p.m.) | Creative ability peaks in the morning; the prefrontal cortex is most active, enabling deep focus |
| Routine “managing” tasks (emails, admin, scheduling) | Early afternoon (1 p.m.–4 p.m.) | Energy dips during the trough period; it’s ideal for lower‑intensity work |
| Learning & study (reviewing statutes, watching training videos) | Late afternoon and evening (4 p.m.–9:30 p.m.) | Analytical parts of the brain become more active later in the day |
| Breaks (stretch, snack, rest) | Mid‑morning (~10:30 a.m.) and mid‑afternoon | Short breaks help replenish mental energy; research links glucose restoration to better decision making |
How to build a personalized ritual
- Set a clear goal
Decide what your most important output is. For tax‑deed investors, this might be generating a shortlist of properties or analysing county redemption periods.
- Plan before you open your laptop
Use pen and paper to outline your top three making tasks. Writing a plan prevents you from drifting into email or social media.
- Block your peak hours
Use pen and paper to outline your top three making tasks. Writing a plan prevents you from drifting into email or social media.
- Delay managing tasks
Check email, return calls and organise files only after completing at least one hour of making work. This approach preserves your mental energy for what matters most.
- Adapt if you have a job
If your ideal time is in the morning but you work a 9‑to‑5 job, use early evenings or weekends. Even one focused hour each day will compound into meaningful progress over months and years.
- Review and adjust weekly
Evaluate what worked and what didn’t. Shift your schedule slightly to match your natural rhythm and external responsibilities.
Long‑term impact of procrastination
Skipping your most important tasks for a day may feel harmless, but over time it carries significant costs. Delaying due diligence on tax‑deed lists can mean missing an auction or underestimating a property’s value. If you consistently postpone high‑value work, you not only forgo immediate revenue but also delay learning. As we often say, “The best time to start investing was years ago; the second best time is today.” Use your daily ritual to ensure you make steady progress rather than pushing vital work into the indefinite future.
Frequently asked questions
Chronotypes describe when your circadian rhythm prompts alertness. Morning people (larks) feel energized early, whereas evening types (owls) prefer late‑day work. Research shows there are also “mid‑types.” The key is to align tasks with your personal peak rather than forcing yourself into someone else’s schedule.
Yes. Studies show that the quality of decisions declines after making many choices. For investors, that can mean rushing due diligence or abandoning research altogether. Preserving mental energy for high‑stakes decisions leads to better deals.
Many professionals find that 60–90 minutes of uninterrupted work followed by a short break maximizes attention. Experiment with different durations; the aim is to work long enough to complete a meaningful chunk of a project without burning out.
Additional resources and internal links
For more strategies on choosing properties and structuring deals, explore our guide on picking the right properties to drive for tax deed sales. If you want to collaborate with experienced investors, read our article on partnering with us on deals. Building the right mindset is also critical; see the #1 trait you need to make tax liens & deeds work for a discussion on discipline and persistence.
Free resources and call to action
We are committed to helping you achieve your first tax‑deed deal quickly. Check out our Auction Calendar to see upcoming sales, download our free mini‑course on buying tax‑deed property for pennies on the dollar, or schedule a free call for one‑on‑one guidance. Investing success comes from consistent action, and a well‑designed daily ritual is the first step.
