I vividly remember the day my dream of creating a print magazine seemed like an insurmountable mountain. There was a single factor that loomed over my aspirations—I wasn’t much of a reader. At nearly 40 years old, having only enjoyed a handful of books in my life, I felt an overwhelming sense of impostor syndrome. How could I, with such limited reading experience, claim the title of editor in chief for a magazine?

The turning point happened during a vacation with my wife in Siesta Keys, Florida, one of my favorite places on earth. As I reveled in the joy of playing in the water like a carefree child, the entire vision unfolded before me during the drive back to Atlanta, Georgia. It was a divine download, a moment of clarity gifted by God.

To make this dream a reality, I had to step out of my own way. It’s a common struggle in life—we become our own stumbling blocks, overthinking situations, and engaging in self-sabotage. Armed with this newfound clarity, I put the right people in the right positions upon returning to Atlanta. I reached out to previous advertisers from my prior business, sharing the exciting venture I had in store and encouraging them to be part of it.

The journey was not without its challenges, but it turned out to be some of the most fulfilling work I had ever done. The magazine, envisioned during that drive back from Florida, exceeded expectations and flourished.

To those reading this, who, like me, may have dreams but find themselves obstructed by their own thoughts, consider this: often, we are the architects of our own limitations. Break free from self-imposed barriers. Open up the road in your mind that hinders you from achieving everything you were meant to in life.

In my case, it took a moment of divine inspiration on a beach in Florida to shatter my mental roadblocks and set me on a path to creating something extraordinary. Your moment might be waiting for you to acknowledge it. Embrace the journey, get out of your own way, and witness the incredible possibilities that unfold.