Celebrating Small Wins in Tax Lien and Tax Deed Investing

1/8/2026 12:00:00 AM

Tax lien investing doesn't deliver instant gratification. You place a bid, then wait. You win a lien, then wait some more. Months pass. Maybe a year. Then, if things go right, a redemption check shows up or a deed transfers. It's a slow-burn strategy in a world obsessed with quick wins.

That's exactly why celebrating small wins matters so much. Because if you only celebrate the big payoffs, the redeemed liens, the profitable deed flips, you'll spend most of your investing life feeling like you're not making progress. And that's a fast track to burnout.

The truth is, you're making progress every single week. You just need to notice it.

What Counts as a Small Win?

Let's start by redefining what success looks like in this space. Yes, a $3,000 redemption check is a win. But so is logging into a county portal for the first time and actually understanding the auction format. So is researching five properties and confidently passing on all of them because the numbers didn't work.

Here are some small wins worth celebrating:

You attended your first auction (even if you didn't bid). You successfully navigated a county's clunky website to download the lien list. You calculated a maximum bid and stuck to it, even when someone else kept raising. You identified a red flag in a title search before placing a bid. You redeemed your first lien, no matter the size.

Every single one of these moments is proof that you're building skill, discipline, and momentum.

Why Small Wins Compound Into Big Results

Think of tax lien investing like compound interest, but for confidence. Each small win adds a little more knowledge, a little more clarity, a little more proof that you can actually do this. Over time, those increments stack.

The investor who celebrates learning how to read a redemption timeline is the same investor who, two years later, manages a portfolio of 20 liens with calm precision. The person who high-fives themselves for passing on a bad deal is training the discipline that will later save them from a costly mistake.

Small wins aren't distractions from the big goals. They're the building blocks.

How to Actually Celebrate

You don't need champagne and confetti every time you complete a title search. But you do need some kind of acknowledgment that reinforces the behavior.

Keep a wins journal: at the end of each week, write down one thing you did well. Set milestone rewards: first lien placed? Treat yourself to a nice coffee. First redemption? Dinner out. Share with someone who gets it: tell a fellow investor, a mentor, or even a supportive friend when something clicks.

The key is making celebration a habit, not a one-time event.

Consistency Needs Fuel

Tax lien investing is a long game. The investors who last aren't necessarily the ones with the most capital or the best connections. They're the ones who figured out how to stay motivated through the boring middle, the months and years between the initial excitement and the eventual payout.

Small wins are the fuel for that consistency. They remind you that you're not standing still. You're learning, adapting, and building something that will pay off down the line.

Big success starts with celebrating small wins.

This blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as financial or investment advice. Real estate investments carry risk, and individual results will vary. Always consult with your team of professionals before making investment decisions. The authors and distributors of this material are not liable for any losses or damages that may occur as a result of relying on this information.