As we celebrate the spirit of independence for the 250th Anniversary of America, our team is reflecting on the optimism, resilience, and forward-thinking mindset that have long defined our nation. The “can-do” attitude is more than a piece of history; it’s something we strive to live out in our work, our relationships, and our daily lives. In this rumination, we’re sharing how each of us interprets and embodies that progressive spirit, and the ways it inspires us to keep moving forward with purpose.
Don
I live out the “Can-Do” spirit of America by getting up each morning focused on the job at hand and putting one foot in front of the other to positively accomplish what needs to be done!
Rome wasn’t built in a day, as the saying goes, and I believe nothing in my life is accomplished by dwelling too much on the past and instead I choose to focus looking ahead to the future. Afterall – our founding fathers accomplished creating this great nation with the same mindset.
Leslie
We Americans were called “The Great Experiment” and expectations were that the then young American nation would fail. Our young nation was testing bold thoughts of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness without an all-powerful hereditary king or queen to rule over us.
I’d like to think that these bold thoughts in 1776 are my guiding force today in 2026 for my fiercely independent, and patriotic mind-set that gives me my pursuit of happiness in being a woman with a strong mind, kind heart, creative spirit to think outside of the box and to care for my family alongside a husband that not only likes but appreciates my “can do” attitude. I think of myself as a “doer” and someone who gets things done – even if it is a new and bold thought to the way things or tasks are done today.
Hats off to this wonderful 250-year-old nation that I am privileged to call home.
I hope I do the nation proud with my “can-do” attitude.
Hailey
The way that I live out the American spirit of progress and “can-do” attitude in my everyday life is by problem solving. I try to break complex challenges into manageable steps. Instead of getting overwhelmed by the entire issue or challenge, I try to focus on each step. It can be overwhelming to process everything all at once – the work, the risks, the unknowns. The "can-do" mindset doesn't mean believing every challenge is easy. It means believing that any challenge can be approached one manageable step at a time. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.
Autumn
To me, the American spirit of progress and a "can do" attitude is about perseverance. Life doesn't always go according to plan, but I've learned that growth comes from continuing to move forward, even with challenges and uncertainty.
As a working mom, I balance a career, family, and personal goals, and I've found that progress is often made one small step at a time. Whether I am learning something new, tackling a challenge at work, or pursuing a dream outside of my day job, I try to approach it with optimism, determination, and the belief that improvement is always possible.
For me, a "can do" attitude isn't about having all the answers-- it's about being willing to try, learn, and keep going.
Taylor
One of the clearest examples of a “can-do” spirit in my life comes from my parents. Both my mom and dad are incredible people, and there isn't anything the two of them can't accomplish. Watching their determination growing up taught me that progress is something you create.
That mindset reminds me that while we can’t control everything, we can control our effort, our attitude, and the direction we choose to take. To me, living out a “can-do” attitude means believing that with persistence and purpose, progress is always within reach.