Adjusting Goals Mid-Stream: Pursuing Perfectly Imperfect Outcomes

Yesterday was the 187th Anniversary of the Cherokee Nation (of Oklahoma).

It was the anniversary of the ratification of the constitution that governs tribal matters for Cherokee tribal members who were removed from their homelands in parts of AL, GA, NC, and TN. It was signed and ratified on September 6, 1839.

As I was getting ready to go to the open mic yesterday afternoon, I went into my closet to pull out what I would wear.

I basically just rotate my clothes.

The next top and pants in the line that work together are what I wear. The goal is to Reduce decision fatigue.

the next shirt up was my Cherokee Nation t-shirt, and it went with the next pair of pants.

Here’s a problem, though: I don’t really like wearing t-shirts.

They just aren’t my thing. I like them under a layer sometimes, but I prefer a shirt with a collar.

So, I wasn’t sure.

Then I looked at the seal of the Cherokee Nation on the shirt and saw the date, September 6.

Oh, wow, that’s today.

Alright then, I will wear it with pride.

Back in Tahlequah, OK, this weekend is a huge tribal festival to celebrate the event. Therefore, I knew this was the “Fourth of July” equivalent weekend.

However, I had forgotten what day it was. I actually thought yesterday was September 7.

This brings me to the topic of adjusting your goals and expectations of yourself for what is possible.

The idea runs along the same logic of “shoot for the stars and you might just make it to the moon.”

Adjusting your perspective on what is possible is important, as the 1839 constitution Symbolizes.

You see, there was significant disagreement between factions of the tribe before the removal.

One part of the tribe signed a treaty with the US government that the other significant faction did not want them to sign.

The other faction wanted to press the issue and remain, and felt betrayed by the other faction operating on behalf of the tribe.

This faction included and was really led by the Cherokee chief at the time, John Ross, who was key in establishing the Cherokee trading post called Ross’s Landing, which become modern-day Chattanooga.

This created and led to serious and deadly strife within the nation.

The constitution that was signed and ratified in 1839 is a symbolic representation of putting this horrible past behind (including the forced removal on the Trail of Tears). It is viewe as symbolic of the tribe moving forward with renewed hope, vigor, and peace.

At least this is the way the stories have been passed down to me. I may have some details wrong, but, yes, this was the general turning of events.

Thus, I show up at the open mic yesterday, in my t-shirt, with six songs I had rehearsed to play.

I am never sure which of the songs I have rehearsed that day I will play.

I like to see how things go and then pick the three for sure That I want to play if there isn’t time for more.

This summer I had originally thought I would visit several different cities, three or four times each, and play their open mics.

That did not happen.

Yesterday, I realized that what I am wanting to do now, for the rest of my time in the PNW before returning to the Southeast, is make sure I play as many of my “potential keeper” songs to a live audience as I possibily can.

What do I mean?

Well, in 2025 I vetted what I generally considered my top 100 best songs written so far with my music coach.

I would bring three per week, and we would rank them:

one being best, third being least favorite.

We were not always in agreement,

but essentially that created a list of 65–70 songs that fit into the “keepers” and/or “potential keepers” piles.

Over this weekend, I got the chance to play four of these that I had not played before.

I started this last weekend, when I also got the chance to play four that I had not played for a live audience.

Last week’s four songs were all a smash hit.

Two songs I played on Saturday were also a hit.

Yesterday was different.

I ended up playing four songs that the musicians in the audience really loved, but that the rest of the audience was pretty indifferent towards.

Two of these were songs I had not played for a live audience before.

And, It was an interesting experience even getting up on stage to play.

First, I had to follow this amazing singing duo who did three cover songs. They did them perfectly.

The host said, “Wow, I’m glad I don’t have to follow you two!”

Guess who did? Little old me.

My performance nerves were sharpened, so I just breathed into it and did a few impromptu chords to make sure I was in tune.

Then I broke into the first song.

As I got into my songs, I could see three of the best musicians in the audience really paying attention and digging the songs as I played them.

and, all three commented after I got off stage on how much they enjoyed my set.

One of these was a member of the duo who I had followed.

That felt good.

Maybe I got a little more pizazz than I give myself credit for at times?

Second, their positive feedback really mattered because when I got off the stage, I wasn’t sure if these were keepers or not.

Part of achieving this “new goal” is that I have to push myself to play a song before I am feeling super ready to do so.

Basically, I am less rehearsed and less sure of the songs themselves. I am starting on my back heel, I guess is the term in boxing.

For the individual songs, I am either on the fence about one, or I am not as rehearsed because I am still tweaking and polishing them, or both.

All good.

It turned out fine.

and I am glad I didn’t try to dig out some of my “crowd pleasers” just to try to keep up with the very talented duo’s performance.

Nope, I just stuck to my original intent, and I was able to play two more songs that haven’t seen the light of an audience before.

I guess what I am insinuating is that, symbolically, at a very micro level, yesterday was a bit like the new start of the Cherokee Nation in 1839.

A perfectly imperfect union.

A perfectly imperfect performance and audience reaction.

Both pointing to a better possible future to come.