Last Updated on September 8, 2025
Table of contents
- Avoid the Social Media Trap and Stay Focused on Tax Lien Success
- What Is the Social Media Trap?
- How Does Social Media Hurt Your Brain?
- How to Start Your Day for Success
- Why So Many Goals Fail and How to Stay on Track
- Lessons From Real Estate Investing
- Stay Safe and Aware—On the Road and in Investing
- Get Started With Tax Liens and Deeds: Simple Steps
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Avoid the Social Media Trap and Stay Focused on Tax Lien Success
Many investors start January with big plans—new habits, more exercise, and bigger deals. However, research shows that nearly 23 % of adults abandon their New Year’s goals by the end of the first week and 43 % quit by the end of January. If you want to be among the few who stick with it, you need a strategy to protect your focus. One of the biggest hurdles is the social media trap—the habit of reaching for your phone and getting lost in notifications. In this article we share simple ways to keep your brain sharp, manage your time effectively, and move closer to your first or next tax lien or deed deal.
What Is the Social Media Trap?
Our phones deliver constant entertainment—Facebook, Instagram, email and news alerts. While convenient, these platforms compete for our attention and can rob us of mental energy. Studies from the University of Texas at Austin found that having a smartphone within reach—even when it is off—reduces available cognitive capacity. In other words, just seeing your phone on the desk makes it harder to concentrate. When you add scrolling, replying to messages or watching videos, you quickly burn through the energy your brain needs for complex tasks. For investors, that means less motivation to research properties, call counties or attend auctions.
Signs You’re Caught in the Trap
- Your first action in the morning is checking Facebook or email.
- You plan to research properties but instead spend an hour on social media.
- You feel mentally tired before noon despite doing little focused work.
If these points feel familiar, it’s time to change your routine.
How Does Social Media Hurt Your Brain?
Digital platforms are designed to keep you engaged. Each new post or notification triggers a small release of dopamine—the brain chemical linked to reward. Over time, your mind craves those quick hits. Meanwhile, important cognitive fuel is depleted. Researchers found that participants who left their phones in another room performed much better on tests requiring concentration. It was not notifications that caused the problem; the mere presence of the phone drained mental resources. That’s why scrolling first thing in the morning feels satisfying yet leaves you drained when it’s time to analyze auction lists.
How to Start Your Day for Success
To beat the social media trap, establish a morning routine that preserves your mental energy and directs it to high‑value tasks. Here is a simple plan:
- Remove phone distractions
Put your smartphone in another room or a drawer until you’ve completed your first important task. This small step can free up cognitive capacity.
- Do your top task first
Identify the one activity that will move you closer to a deal (e.g., calling a county office, reviewing auction lists or driving properties). Work on it for 60 minutes before opening email or social media.
- Stretch and take care of your body
The author of the video mentions dealing with Achilles tendon tightness and committing to daily stretching. Physical well‑being improves focus. Use this time to stretch, drink water and clear your mind.
- Schedule reactive tasks
Reserve specific times later in the day for email, Facebook or other low‑value tasks. Knowing that you’ll get to them later makes it easier to ignore them in the morning.
By protecting the first hour of your day, you accomplish something important while your brain is at its best. You will also feel more motivated throughout the day.
Why So Many Goals Fail and How to Stay on Track
More than 40 % of adults give up on their resolutions by the end of January. Common reasons include vague goals, lack of accountability and distractions like social media. To stay on track:
- Set clear targets – Instead of saying, “I want to invest in real estate,” decide, “I will purchase my first tax deed or lien within 90 days.”
- Use accountability – Tell a friend or join our community. Sharing your goal makes you more likely to follow through. Our team provides step‑by‑step support in our programs.
- Review and adjust – Check your progress each week. If you fall behind, reset instead of quitting. Slipping does not mean failure, it means you need to refine your plan.
Lessons From Real Estate Investing
In our community, we see how focus and action pay off. One of our coaches started with no experience and bought a small convenience store and another property at tax sale for roughly $5 000. The key was not luck—it was committing to daily action, researching county lists and attending auctions. Tax lien and deed investing rewards those who are patient and consistent. In fact, the top trait needed for success is consistency and patience Returns often take months or years, but steady effort produces results. Here are some practical lessons:
- Learn the rules – Each state has different laws for redemption periods, interest rates and bidding. Our detailed article on the most important trait for tax lien success explains why patience and due diligence are essential
- Do your homework – Check property conditions, competing liens and market values before bidding. Don’t let a low price blind you to potential problems.
- Take consistent action – Call counties regularly, review lists and attend auctions. One student bought a car wash for about $5 000 and later learned it was worth hundreds of thousands of dollars because he stayed active and improved his strategy.
Stay Safe and Aware—On the Road and in Investing
The video also highlights the importance of anticipating hazards. Whether snowmobiling in the mountains or crossing a busy street, being aware of risks can save your life. The same principle applies to tax lien investing. Always shoulder‑check the deal:
- Watch for unusual events – A dumpster object knocked a cyclist off his bike in the speaker’s local news. Likewise, unforeseen issues like environmental liens or structural damage can appear. Double‑check public records and visit properties when possible.
- Predict distractions – Identify the things that pull you away from research (social media, television, random errands) and plan to avoid them.
- Have a safety margin – Leave room in your budget for repairs, delays or mistakes. A good investor plans for the unexpected.
Get Started With Tax Liens and Deeds: Simple Steps
If you’re new to this world, you don’t need to figure it out alone. Our “Learn More About Partnering with Me on Deals!” article outlines an easy path:
- Learn the basics – Download a free copy of our ABCs of Tax Lien Investin. It explains how liens and deeds work, the risks to watch for and the rewards that make them attractive.
- Book a free call – Set up a conversation with our team to get a custom plan. We’ll help you understand auctions, rules and strategies.
- Check the auction calendar – Use our calendar to see upcoming sales. Each county is different, so knowing the dates and formats is essential.
- Use free tools – Our site offers checklists and worksheets to help you organize research and manage deadlines. We also recommend using productivity apps to keep your data in order; see our guide to the free app we use to organize tax lien & deed data
Frequently Asked Questions
A social media time trap is the tendency to lose track of time while scrolling through apps or checking notifications. Because each post triggers a small reward, it’s easy to spend an hour on Facebook before you realize it. Research shows that even the presence of a smartphone lowers cognitive capacity, making it harder to stay focused. Turning off your phone or placing it in another room helps you avoid this trap.
Place your phone in another room before you go to bed, use a traditional alarm clock and create a morning routine that starts with stretching and your top work task. By committing to one hour of focused work before looking at any messages, you’ll protect your mental energy and make real progress toward your investing goals.
Tax lien and deed investing is not a get‑rich‑quick scheme. Returns often take months or years, and redemption periods vary by state. According to our article on the key trait for success, consistency and patience are essential Investors who research thoroughly and stick with their plan are more likely to earn high returns and avoid mistakes.
Begin by learning the basics through our free mini‑course. Then schedule a free call with our team to create a plan. Use our auction calendar and free research tools. to prepare for upcoming sales. Our community offers support, and you can partner with experienced investors to shorten the learning curve.
Conclusion
Avoiding the social media trap is not just about turning off notifications; it’s about reclaiming your mental energy and using it to build the life you want. By protecting your mornings, staying accountable and focusing on high‑value tasks, you will stand out from the many people who abandon their goals by late January. Combine this focus with the proven strategies of tax lien and deed investing—patience, research and consistent action—and you will be on your way to your next deal. For personalized support, download our free resources, use our research tools, and schedule a free call today. Let’s work together to turn your resolutions into results.
