Last Updated on September 1, 2025
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Aspiring real estate investors often imagine a magical day when everything falls into place — the first property closes, a six‑figure profit appears, and life is transformed overnight. In our experience, this mindset of futuring — postponing happiness until an imagined future milestone — holds you back more than market fluctuations or interest rates. In this article we share the main lesson from our latest video: why living in the future hurts your business, how money and happiness really interact, and practical steps to stay present while building a successful tax lien or deed investing company. We’ve spent decades making and losing money in real estate, and the biggest difference between success and struggle has little to do with technical skills.
What is “futuring” and why does it hurt your business?
Many new investors tie every goal to the next milestone: “When I close my first deal, then I’ll quit my job. When I earn my first $10,000, then I’ll invest in education.” We call this trap futuring. By constantly projecting your happiness into the future, you miss the learning opportunities in front of you and underestimate how long it takes to build momentum. There is rarely a single moment when everything “clicks”; even big wins become memories that pass quickly. The journey — networking, due diligence, learning from small transactions — is where you develop the habits that sustain long‑term success.
Does income really buy happiness?
Research by economists Daniel Kahneman and Angus Deaton found that day‑to‑day happiness rises with income but levels off around $75,000 per year. Later studies by Matthew Killingsworth suggest happiness continues to rise with income for most people. The reality is that once your basic bills are covered, additional income contributes less to emotional well‑being. In the video, we recall how freeing it felt when our real estate income replaced our day job salary; our mental “RAM” opened up, and we could focus entirely on deals. However, chasing ever‑higher numbers rarely brings proportionate happiness. Focus on building a sustainable business that covers your living expenses and creates breathing room — the real reward is the flexibility it gives you.
Managing your time while working and investing
When you’re juggling a full‑time job, family obligations and an investment business, time is your scarcest resource. We found that real progress occurs when you actively protect your calendar:
- Prioritize high‑value tasks – Identify the activities that move your business forward: property research, attending auctions, and learning from mentors. Block these first.
- Say “no” more often – It’s tempting to attend every networking event or social outing. We once bought tickets to an event but realized recording this video was more important, so we stayed home and worked. Turning down distractions creates space for focused work.
- Batch routine tasks – Handle errands, email and administrative chores in set blocks so they don’t interrupt deeper work.
- Delegate and automate – As your business grows, hire help for mowing lawns, bookkeeping or property management. Delegation frees you to focus on strategy.
Being strict with your time may feel uncomfortable at first, but it is the only way to build a business alongside a job. Eventually, your real estate income can replace your salary, and you’ll gain the mental space to scale faster.
Staying present: avoid regretting “last times”
A personal story illustrates the danger of futuring. Years ago, a friend loaned us $50 because we had no food. We treated ourselves to an $8 burrito and couldn’t wait to earn more money. Looking back, that sunny day was the last time we ate lunch under those circumstances. We were so focused on escaping poverty that we failed to enjoy the simple pleasure of a bike ride and a burrito. The lesson? You never know when a “last time” is happening. Whether you are cutting your lawn or inspecting properties, be present. You may soon hire out those chores, and you’ll miss the memories if you were always daydreaming about the future.
Check the tax code and verify information
As you study tax liens and deeds, always cross‑check information with the relevant state statutes. Laws differ by county and change over time, so confirm auction procedures, redemption periods and bidding rules by reading the official tax code. Everything we teach is based on current statutes, but responsible investors verify details before bidding.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Futuring is the habit of postponing happiness and actions until some future milestone (“I’ll start investing once I make $X”). It keeps you from enjoying and learning from the present.
Protect your time. Schedule real estate activities during evenings or weekends, say “no” to unnecessary commitments, batch routine tasks and outsource chores when possible.
Studies indicate that happiness grows with income but levels off for some people around $75,000 to $100,000 per year. Once your bills are covered, focus on freedom and meaningful work rather than chasing ever‑higher numbers.
Many counties conduct online tax lien and deed auctions. Whether you attend in person or online, research properties carefully and follow the county’s rules. If you want hands‑on experience, consider joining one of our live auction trips.
Our free mini‑course explains how to buy tax liens and deeds up to 90% off. You can also schedule a free call with our team to discuss your goals and get personalized guidance.
Need A Hand?
Ready to stop futuring and start building your real estate business? Download our free mini‑course to learn the fundamentals of buying tax liens and deeds, and schedule a no‑obligation call with our team to plan your first deal. Success comes from consistent action today — not from waiting for a perfect future.
