Stop Second-Guessing: Three Stories to Get You Unstuck

Breaking Barriers, Owning Your Moment, and Moving Forward with Confidence

Author

Mark Patterson
10 Feb • Est. Reading Time: 5 minutes

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In This Edition of Remarkable Monday

Doug Williams wasn’t supposed to be the guy.

Born and raised in Zachary, Louisiana, he grew up in a world where Black quarterbacks were told they weren’t leaders, weren’t smart enough, weren’t built for the position. Despite dominating at Grambling State under the legendary Eddie Robinson, the NFL still hesitated.

By 1987, Williams wasn’t just doubted—he was a backup for Washington, behind Jay Schroeder. No one expected him to lead the team, let alone make history.

But when his moment came, he didn’t hesitate.

Redefine What’s Possible

In Super Bowl XXII, Williams threw for 340 yards and four touchdowns in a single quarter—a record that still stands—leading Washington to a 42–10 victory over Denver. He became the first Black quarterback to win a Super Bowl and, in that moment, redefined what was possible.

After the game, reporters pressed him about what it meant to be the first Black quarterback to do it. His response?

"I didn't come here with the Washington Redskins as a Black quarterback. I came here as the quarterback of the Washington Redskins to play a football game to win it. Now whatever happens after that, I can't control anyway. The most important thing to me was to go out and perform up to my abilities and try to win the football game."

Doug Williams

Williams didn’t see himself as breaking barriers—he just stepped up and did the job.

Fast forward to last night. Two Black quarterbacks—Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts—faced off in a Super Bowl rematch. What once seemed impossible is now just another Sunday in February.

That’s the thing about breaking barriers—the first person through gets the bruises, but their courage makes the path easier for everyone else.

So, where are you hesitating right now?

  • Are you waiting for the perfect moment to start something new?

  • Are you undervaluing your work and letting imposter syndrome hold you back?

  • Are you hesitating to share your story because you’re not sure it matters?

This week, I’m sharing three reads to help you get unstuck and move forward with clarity and confidence.

📌 If you're building a business but feeling spiritually lost…
👉 Kendra Taul’s Blueprint for Building a Business with God as CEO
Kendra shares how she integrated faith into her business, turning uncertainty into confidence. If you’ve ever wondered how to make business decisions that align with your beliefs, this is a must-read.

📌 If you're a freelancer struggling to price your work…
👉 Personal Branding & Pricing Strategies for Freelancers
One of the biggest mistakes freelancers make? Undervaluing their work. This piece breaks down real pricing strategies that help you charge what you're worth—without the imposter syndrome.

📌 If you're searching for stories that shape culture and identity…
👉 The Ultimate Black History Films Watchlist
History isn’t just something we read—it’s something we experience. This curated list of films will challenge, inspire, and remind you why storytelling is a powerful force for change.

💡 Where are you still second-guessing yourself? Hit reply and let me know—I’d love to hear your thoughts.

If you are reading this far…

I hope this message finds you well. I’m sharing from my heart in hopes that you will be inspired to unearth and live out your God-given purpose. Hopefully, something I said resonated. I would love to hear from you if so. Please feel free to reach out to me on social media. FYI: I’m mostly active on Instagram these days. If you were forwarded this message, you can subscribe here to receive thoughts like this directly in your inbox. And don’t forget to check out the latest episode of my podcast, ConvoRoom with Mark Allen Patterson.

See you next week,