Stock Doc: More Sunlight, Higher Returns

Around 4 p.m., I began designing a new brochure for one of my latest projects working with people whose lives have been limited by mental illness and addiction. I was surprised to find that I had some extra momentum at an hour during which I normally would start dragging.

I looked out of the window in my office and noticed that it was still bright and sunny. I felt a rush of energy that I hadn't experienced since late summer, when we still had warm weather. Time flew by, and I was extremely productive while making follow-up phone calls and barreling through the endless paperwork.

It occurred to me that during the past four months I had become more prone to procrastination around 4 p.m. Even while I jotted down my case notes, my mind was already at home in front of the TV, ready for my daily dose of "Mad Money."

This past week we watched bullish sentiment reappear after finally overtaking some bearish uprisings. My clients reported to me that all week they had been able to work longer hours whether as traders, doctors or lawyers.

They felt an increase in their ability to focus after 3 p.m., remaining upbeat and getting more mileage out of their "emotional tanks." They also felt energized enough to make it to the gym, to be more involved as a parent/spouse and to keep their appointments with me. The extra sunlight led to increased motivation, which resulted in increased returns in their chosen professions.