This episode almost didn’t happen.

My mic wasn’t working.
I wasn’t in my own office.
My notes felt clunky.

And honestly? That felt fitting.

Because this season of life and leadership feels a little like that too: less polished, more honest, and very much “figure it out as you go.”

So instead of forcing a perfect framework, I scrapped it and decided to tell you the God’s-honest truth.

There were some beautiful wins in 2025.

But there were also a handful of things I had to sheepishly admit:

Wow… I knew this already. Why did I forget?

Here are five lessons I had to relearn the hard way.

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1. My finances aren’t scary — they’re a gift

For years, I’ve told this story to myself and listeners of the pod:

“I’m just not a numbers person.”

Which, conveniently, gave me permission to avoid my books.

Again.

• Even though past Molly already learned this lesson.
• Even though I’ve worked with amazing financial mentors.
• Even though I know better.

Last year?
I categorized my books for the first time all year in August.

AUGUST.

But here’s what surprised me:
When I finally opened everything… I wasn’t afraid.

The numbers didn’t carry shame anymore. They carried information.

Instead of:
“I’m bad at business.”

It became:
“Cool. What decision does this data help me make?”

That shift? Big. Huge.

What I had to relearn: Your books aren’t a judgment of your “goodness” at anything. They’re a flashlight casting light on your next step.

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2. I don’t have to be perfect to be good at what I do

Stepping into my leadership role at The Restoration Project cracked open a fresh layer of imposter syndrome.

Suddenly I was surrounded by:

• bigger org charts
• more corporate experience
• people who knew terms like “change management”

Meanwhile I’m over here like… “Hi, I built a business on vibes and Google Docs.”

I forgot something I’ve said for years:

People don’t choose you because you’re the most perfect.
They choose you because they feel connected and safe with you.

What I had to relearn: People do business with people.

Not résumés.

Not perfection.

People.

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3. Speed isn’t the same as intention

Somewhere along the way, I got addicted to efficiency.

• Inbox zero(ish).
• Quick replies.
• Rapid-fire decisions.

But here’s what I noticed:

When I move fast, I stop seeing the person.

• Emails get transactional.
• Conversations get rushed.
• Connection gets thin.

So this year, I set a goal:

10,000 intentional connections.

Not followers.
Not impressions.

Actual humans.

What I had to relearn: Leadership isn’t built on speed. It’s built on presence.

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4. My day shouldn’t run me

My to-do list used to run my life.

And it was… endless. Literally. Never ending. I just kept adding to it.

So now I use one tiny Post-it note:

My Big Three.

If I accomplish three meaningful things that move the mission forward?

That’s a win.

Everything else is bonus.

It’s wild how three clear priorities feel more satisfying than 27 half-finished tasks.

What I had to relearn: Time isn’t about cramming more in. It’s about choosing better.

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5. I have a voice — and I need to use it

This one’s tender.

I’ve spent years sugarcoating.

Softening.

Talking in circles so no one feels uncomfortable.

But you know what I learned?

Avoiding clarity doesn’t protect people.

It confuses them.

It actually hurts more.

So I’m practicing:

Clear > nice
Truthful > perfect
Direct > wordy

Still kind. Always kind.

But honest.

What I had to relearn: Quieting your voice doesn’t serve anyone.

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The real lesson

Here’s what I keep coming back to:

Growth isn’t linear.

You don’t “learn it once and graduate.”

You circle back.

You forget.

You relearn.

You rebuild the muscle.

Over and over…and over.

And that doesn’t mean you’re failing.

It means you’re alive and evolving.

If you saw yourself in any of these stories, please know you’re not behind.

You’re becoming.

And I’m right there with you.

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Listen now to the entirety of Episode 238, now streaming on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.