Coming to the end of this project is extremely bittersweet. Through this process Mark and I have shared a journey, one that has endured an injury and health scare, an economic downturn, and even a pandemic.

It's been an honor and a privilege to have worked with Mark as he's reflected on his past—to gain a closer look at the factors and decisions that drove and influenced him. He's someone I’ve long admired because he did indeed break the mold to create something bigger than himself, a task very few attempt and far fewer achieve.

Deeper than that, and I think the tone of the conversations that took place between Mark and his core Kronites proves this out, is the underlying premise that you can come to relish hard work and long hours if you have a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie as key ingredients in whatever you set out to accomplish. Because these were good people. Talented? Yes. Diligent? You bet. But they were also funloving, decent folk … the type you’d happily have a beer with, take on a fishing trip, invite over for dinner, or join in logging long hours to solve a complex business problem. And if you can mix all those factors into your professional and personal life, you’re part of something that's truly special. And that is what Kronos was and, remarkably or not, still is.

Is there a lesson in here that can be replicated? Absolutely. Does this book represent an etched in stone blueprint for success? Not necessarily. Because times change. Values change. But within the context of these moments of reflection by Mark and all the participants, there is at least a series of basic building blocks from which success can be derived.

First, climb your own ladder of success. Don't blindly go hand over foot up someone else's ladder, because before you go to the effort, you must be sure the ladder is taking you where you want to go. And even after you’ve created your own rungs, and have begun the daily process of aspiring to go higher each day, you must occasionally step back to ensure that your version matches your vision and is, therefore, taking you to the right destination. Because individual priorities are seldom carved in granite.