The Kate Show: Episode 258

7 Ways to Create More Bandwidth & Get Everything Done
Host: Kate (Socialite Agency)
Date: May 27, 2024

Episode Overview

This episode centers on practical time management and mindset shifts for busy entrepreneurs in the home industry. Host Kate shares seven actionable strategies—tested in her own business and family life—that help create more bandwidth and reduce overwhelm. She connects productivity to mindset, prioritization, boundaries, and faith, making the episode both tactical and motivational for listeners struggling to “get everything done.”

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Mindset Experiment: Reframing "I'm Too Busy"

• Kate opens with a personal story about feeling maxed out as a mom, wife, and business owner ([00:00]).
• Inspired by coaching with Andrea at Andrea Lebras Coaching, she decided to stop complaining about being "too busy."
• Adopts a new mantra: "I have time. I have plenty of time," whenever interruptions occur.
  • Quote ([02:52]):
    “Every time I had to stop what I was doing to break up a fight or kiss an owie, I kept repeating to myself, ‘I have time. I have plenty of time.’ Before, I would be like, ‘Oh my goodness, I can’t get anything done.’ And then I would start taking out that anxiety and stress on people around me, which is not great for anybody.” —Kate
• This mindset shift helps her reduce stress and manage her to-do list more calmly.

2. Faith and Perspective in Time Management

• Kate references biblical wisdom to frame her approach ([05:03]):
  • Psalm 46:10: “Be still and know that I am God.”
  • Matthew 6:33: “Seek the kingdom of God above all else…and he will give you everything you need.”
  • Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens…”
• She connects these verses to letting go of guilt, shame, and stress from poor time management.
• Encourages listeners to put “generous boundaries” on their bandwidth and remember their limits.

3. WHY Does Productivity Matter? (Start with Your Why)

• Kate shares her struggle with equating busyness to self-worth ([11:25]):
  • Quote ([11:37]):
    “Being busy for the sake of being busy has been my go-to coping mechanism for all of my adult life… I tend to feel more valuable when I’m busy and worthless if I’m not.” —Kate
• Encourages listeners to identify their own reasons for busyness.

The 7 Productivity Strategies for More Bandwidth

1. Set Work Hours and Stick to Them

• Establishes clear boundaries, whether you’re a workaholic or a procrastinator.
• Helps maintain focus and manage distractions (particularly from phones/social media).
  • Tip ([13:12]):
    Use app timers or remove social apps from your phone to avoid getting sucked in.
• Take real breaks (walks or listening to podcasts—not more screen time).

2. Sort Tasks by Essential and Preferential

• Not all tasks are priorities; differentiate “must-dos” (client work, finances) from “nice-to-haves” (social media).
• Use tools like Asana for task management and to assign deadlines.
  • Tip ([15:49]):
    If a quick task takes 5-15 minutes, just do it immediately instead of logging it.

3. Group Similar Tasks Together (Batching)

• Reduces “gearswitching” fatigue and increases focus.
• Theme days or block scheduling: e.g., all calls on Tuesday, marketing on one day, backend work on another ([17:10]).
• Move tasks on the calendar to create flow.

4. Delegate or Outsource Least Favorite Tasks

• If you hate it (e.g., bookkeeping or marketing), hire someone else ([18:47]).
  • Quote ([19:24]):
    “Bookkeeping. I hate bookkeeping. I don’t like numbers…so I hired a bookkeeper...Best $500 I’ll spend every month.” —Kate
• Outsourcing frees up mental energy for what you love and what drives your business.

5. Quality Over Quantity

• It’s about focused, productive hours—not clocking more time ([21:10]).
• Example: You can accomplish a lot in 20-25 structured hours per week.
  • Quote ([21:32]):
    “It’s better to have five or six or seven very structured, uninterrupted, very focused work hours in a day, versus 10 or 12 hours of semi-focused, kind of structured, but not really, mostly scattered work hours.” —Kate

6. Use Auto-Recurring Calendars and Plan Ahead

• Plan your week in advance, not the morning of—and put recurring tasks on repeat ([23:06]).
• Tools: Asana (calendar view is visual and color-coded), Google Calendar, etc.
• Ensures essentials always get done, reduces stress from “living in the moment.”

7. Return to Mindset and Perspective

• Question the drive to be busy: What are you working toward that can’t wait?
• Acknowledge your roles (business owner, parent, spouse) and trust you’ll be given the necessary time.
  • Quote ([25:13]):
    “When I started realizing that God, who is the Creator of time...He’s given me all the time I need if I would just ask for it. And it’s my job to be a good manager of it.” —Kate
• Key to bandwidth: asking for and accepting help, outsourcing, re-prioritizing, and recognizing whose time you’re stewarding.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “[Productivity] is imperative… the guilt, shame and stress that comes from poor time management is one of the lowest emotional frequencies, which means it weakens you…it can really damage relationships.” —Kate ([06:15])
• “Imagine having a work life in which you are only minimally involved with the things that you don’t like. Wouldn’t that be nice?” —Kate ([19:21])
• “Keep your marketing simple, your message clear and I will talk to you soon.” —Kate ([27:35])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00 – Introduction; why time management is foundational for business success
• 02:00 – Kate’s mindset experiment: stopping “busy” complaints
• 05:03 – Faith-based perspectives on stillness and priorities
• 11:25 – The “why” behind busyness; self-reflection
• 13:12 – Tip #1: Setting and maintaining work hours
• 15:49 – Tip #2: Sorting essential vs. preferential tasks
• 17:10 – Tip #3: Task batching and themed days
• 18:47 – Tip #4: Delegation and outsourcing
• 21:10 – Tip #5: Focusing on quality over quantity
• 23:06 – Tip #6: Planning ahead with recurring tasks
• 25:13 – Tip #7: Mindset, faith, and stewardship of time
• 27:35 – Closing thoughts and call to action

Summary Takeaways

• Effective time management is as much about mindset and boundaries as about tools and tactics.
• Understand why you’re driven to be busy, and challenge the belief that quantity equals productivity.
• Use technology and delegation to focus on the truly important.
• Faith and perspective shape bandwidth—trust that you have enough time for the things that matter most.