Today, I had a massive realization about myself: I am positively naïve. Close friends actually helped me see it. We were chatting, and he pointed out that I tend to live a remarkably pure, positive life. No matter the circumstances, I always look for the absolute best in people. At first, I wondered, How did I get this way? When I look back at my journey, it all makes perfect sense.
My beautiful, accidental naivety started when I launched my very first business at just 21 years old.
When you’re that young, you don’t know what you don’t know. You don’t know what’s “impossible,” so you just do it. I constantly found myself pushing far beyond my current capabilities, forcing myself to stretch, find a solution, and fulfill my commitments no matter what.
Early on in my career, I won the trust of a leadership team for a major Catholic school district. Once that door opened, I became what I call a “pig” for the work, meaning, I was completely insatiable. I didn’t just take on one project; I took on 10 massive school contracts all at once.
The pressure was immense. Our hard deadline was August 22nd. We *had* to complete our entire scope of work by that date so the school staff could move in and prepare for the incoming students. There was no safety net, and there was no room for failure. But my naive optimism told me we could do it. So, we did.
That success became fuel. I kept pushing my limits, moving from schools to skyscrapers and massive community infrastructure projects. Because I was so focused on the next big climb, I rarely stopped to feel the weight of what I was actually carrying. Except for one specific afternoon.
The only time the reality of my massive undertaking actually caught up to me was when my right-hand man, Marc Halpin, went on vacation and left me to hold down the fort alone.
I will never forget September of 2013. Marc had left for his birthday holiday, and I was left behind to handle the “job run” driving around town to check on every single major project we had on the go.
By 2:00 PM that day, a strange feeling started creeping in. It was a tight knot of anxiety and, if I’m being completely honest, a little bit of fear.
I was driving through the heart of the downtown core, looking up. We had secured the contracts for almost every single skyscraper under construction in the city, outside of a few condo projects.
Everywhere I looked, our company was responsible for changing the skyline.
As I sat in my truck, staring up at those massive towers of steel and glass, all I could think was: “Wow. We are everywhere.”
Fast forward to today, and guess what? I’m doing the exact same thing.
I am currently involving myself with new communities, diving into entirely new industries, and even navigating government relations with that exact same naïve attitude.
Do I feel insecure sometimes Absolutely. But I push through the doubt with a relentless mindset:
I’m going to get it done, and I’m going all the way. Of course, not everyone welcomes you with open arms. Sometimes people don’t see your value, or they feel it’s not worth investing their time in you. I’ve learned not to take that personally. Timing and chemistry aren’t always there right at the start. But eventually, time aligns, and chemistry is built.
My greatest strength is being naïve. It allows me to see the world without the weight of cynicism. It gives me the freedom to connect the dots and take the massive actions required to elevate the lives of everyone around me toward our shared & individual success.
So, my advice to you?
Don’t be afraid to be naïve. When you let go of the fear of what could go wrong, you learn faster, you absorb the wisdom around you, and you build things you never thought possible.
Your Friend
Danijel Slisko
