The Kate Show — Episode Summary

Episode: The REAL Reason We Don't Have Enough Time
Host: Kate, Socialite Agency
Date: February 2, 2026

Episode Overview

In this thoughtful episode, Kate takes a detour from tactical marketing advice to dig deep into a universal entrepreneurial pain point: not having enough time. She challenges surface-level solutions like automation and outsourcing, instead urging listeners to assess their personal screen time and the misalignment between use of time and true priorities. Drawing from personal experience, family life, and spiritual insights (including excerpts from Pastor Mike Novotny), Kate reframes the concept of productivity around "significance," not just "success." The episode is a candid, relatable exploration meant for interior designers, stagers, and creatives—but resonates far beyond.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Reframing the Time Problem

• Our Default Solutions (03:18): Most entrepreneurs respond to time shortages with fixes like automation, cutting tasks, or outsourcing, which are sometimes necessary—but may miss a bigger, more personal root cause.
• Screen Time Reality (01:09, 06:50):
  • "The average US adult spends around five hours a day on me time, screen time. So not working on business stuff, not checking emails, just mindless scrolling." (00:01)
  • Even an hour a day adds up—30 hours a month.
  • Kate confesses to being susceptible herself, drawing analogies to addiction.

2. Personal Story: Full Plates & Phone Use

• Transparent Context (03:58–06:44):
  • Kate outlines her busy household and clear family support, making the point that lack of help is not always to blame.
  • "If not for lack of support, then what is eating up time? How is my screen time?" (06:44)
• Addictive Patterns (08:11):
  • Instinctively reaching for the phone, even without a notification.
  • Anxiety when forgetting the phone at home.
  • Evening "wind-down" scrolling habit.

3. Concrete Changes for Better Time Stewardship (10:06)

• App time limits: 5-min timer on Facebook, 10-min timer on YouTube.
• App removals: No additional social media apps; only essential communications.
• Podcast listening ban: No podcasts during work hours for better focus.
• Children's tech boundaries:
  • Daughter's tablet: 30-min daily limit, only educational apps, "forbidden fruit" approach to moderation.

4. Success vs. Significance (12:30)

• A Shift in Goals:
  • "Success says that productivity and profits matter the most. Significance says that impact and results matter the most." (13:43)
  • Importance of relationships and legacy over numbers and accolades.
  • Family and strong relationships are foundation of a legacy business.

5. Being Deliberate with Decisions (13:55)

• Practical boundaries:
  • Stop working into midnight hours.
  • No "just one more task."
  • Be intentional, plan ahead, avoid overcommitting, delegate decisions when not clear-headed.
• Spiritual practice:
  • Seeks discernment and wisdom from God, advises listeners to ask for wisdom when needed.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Screen Addiction:
  "If I were to replace the word phone with the name of any illegal substance in what I just told you, I would sound like an addict with a serious problem and a need for intervention." (08:31)

• On Use of Time:
  "I have no right to say that I don't have enough time if I'm spending time on my phone." (11:58)

• Defining What Matters:
  "At the end of the day, if we want to know what our priorities are—they aren't the things that we think they are, but actually the things we spend the most of our time doing." (13:29)

Pastor Mike Novotny's Insights (Timestamps refer to podcast guest segments)

[14:01]–[18:10]: Why Screens Rob Us of Significance

• "Isn't it true that once you pull out the phone, the world disappears? You forget who's in the room? You forget what matters more." (14:01)
• "People matter way more than screens… if screens get in the way of profound connections with people, they have become a problem in our lives." (14:37)
• Screen time tally: 5 hours/day = 1,825 hours/year. Imagine what that time could give to relationships.
  • "If you used a tenth of that time to deepen your most important relationships, you would not regret it." (15:52)
• Jar of Marbles (17:00): Visualizing time left with his daughters via a jar with marbles for each week left until high school graduation—symbolizing fleeting time and powerful priority.

[18:47]–[22:53]: The Three Roots of Relentless Busyness

• Sometimes busyness is temporary and seasonal, but often it's chronic, caused by:
  1. Perfectionism: "You haven't used the phrase 'it's good enough' since 2004." (19:42)
  2. People-Pleasing: "You just can't… it feels unchristian to you. It feels selfish." (21:04)
  3. God Complex: "If I didn't do this, what would happen?... You just stay stuck in constant business." (22:05)
• Finding solutions through asking God for wisdom and learning the importance of letting go rather than grinding endlessly for diminishing returns.

Main Takeaways

• More Time Isn't the Solution: It's not about adding hours to the day, but aligning actions with values, especially by reducing mindless screen use.
• Legacy Over Productivity: True fulfillment comes from significance—relationships and impact, not just measurable success.
• Intentional Living: Systems, boundaries, and spiritual discernment are key to staying focused on what matters.
• Let Go of Perfection, Pleasing, and Control: Recognizing unhealthy roots of busyness allows for healthier rhythms and more meaningful lives.

Suggested Actions for Listeners

• Audit your screen time objectively—how much is actually “necessary?”
• Set practical limits on distracting apps or habits.
• Make time for people and relationships, not just tasks.
• Consider: Are you aiming for "success," or "significance?"
• Listen to Pastor Mike's full sermon ("No More Mediocre Me") for extended insight on living a meaningful life.

Final Words

Kate wraps up with encouragement to question the true use of our time and to put the “main thing” (the most important relationships and legacy) at the top of the list. It's an honest, heartfelt episode to break cycles of busyness and cultivate time for what matters most.

Key Segment Timestamps:

• [00:00–03:18] — Opening, redefining the time crunch
• [06:44–11:19] — Personal family life & screen time confessions
• [12:30–14:01] — Significance vs. success; legacy
• [14:01–18:10] — Pastor Mike Novotny: Screens & relationships
• [18:47–22:53] — Pastor Mike Novotny: Roots of busyness
• [22:53–end] — Kate’s reflection, practical encouragement, and wrap-up