Yesterday I shared portions of a remarkable Twitter chat among 45 Gen Y’ers on the topic of the “American Dream”.  Today, I’m going to share the rest of that conversation where they discussed what it means to have a good life.  The conversation took place over an hour using the hashtag #genYchat and included contributions from 45 different people.

The overall take away is that while Millennials still relate strongly to the idea of a “dream” of limitless possibilities, they also are in the process of redefining those possibilities in a less material and more experiential/personal way.

Some of the redefinition is a rejection of what they in the lives of their parents. Some is simply part of a deeper desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, the nation or the world. Many defined success in terms of affirmation from peers, others defined it in terms of greater satisfaction from work or ‘happiness’.

@GenyChat: Q2. Do you believe that there are generational differences in how personal and material success are defined?

@kelly_ashworth: Absolutely! I think GenY will be less focused on $ which failed for many of our parents and more focused on happiness.

@malapropicninny: Heck yes. As GenY, I’d like to have a nest egg, but if I’m working & doing something I love, I don’t mind the lifelong grind!

@josippetrusa: Definitely, how gen-y appears to the world both online and in person “defines” our perceived success

@steve_campbell: Definitely. Gen Y doesn’t necessarily care about following a set path to find happiness.

@Outlaw_Inc: Yes. GenY’s success = having the freedom and flexibility to pursue passions, have great experiences.

@steve_campbell: I’d say we definitely worry about our future less than our parents do 🙂 Not to say we don’t care, but we’re not overly worried

@NahumG: Let’s see..if the American Dream is supposed to be living on your own with a career and great family I’m on my way, but it’s taking a LOT longer than I thought it would take to get there.

@E_Hanson: We’re more focused on doing what truly makes us happy and experiencing everything we possibly can.

@steve_campbell: I agree. Experiences seem to be a bigger part of our lives.

@niltiac: Definitions of ‘success’ have changed over time. The Baby Boomers who started that process, Gen X and Y continue it.

@kelly_ashworth: I think we have a belief that it will work out, and we’ll figure it out along the way… ties into our optimism

@WriterChanelle: Are those the trappings of success for us, though? I just want a place of my own and a car.

@josippetrusa: Not so much a trapping of our own but something that we have put into believing

@GenerationMeh: Interesting! I see a lot of worry/angst/second guessing, maybe more about self-worth than $, though.

@daniellewriter: For me, success is liking my job, not how big my paycheck is.

@steve_campbell: Familiarity with technology helps with our vision of how the world works too, which lessens worry

@josippetrusa: When someone RTs an article I’ve written, that’s what I see as “successful”

@WriterChanelle: *Deep sigh* YES!! I’ll take a Google Alert with my post showing up over a BMW

@TylerDurbin: Amen!

@josippetrusa: When you [@WriterChanelle] notified me that one day when my article came up, biggest smile ever!!

@WriterChanelle: It’s GenY’s “having your name in lights” re: Google Alert

I’m particularly fascinated by the last few remarks as they are less about ‘fame’ than about affirmation. Your name in lights re: Google is not exactly the world’s definition of success, but it appears to be a meaningful yardstick for these Gen Y’ers.

Last week, Jenny Blake, the blogger behind “Life After College” announced in her blog that she had landed a book deal. The excitement was contagious. Here’s how she described her feelings a few days later. Note the focus is on her immediate ‘supporters’ – one senses this is the group that truly matters to her:

I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. Partly because of the book deal, but partly because I got propped up by a small army of support these last two weeks by having all of you celebrate with me. Every tweet, text, email, call, facebook note, hug and high-five just filled me to the brim with gratitude. This book finally feels real — thanks to you.

Experiences are better when they are shared.

I think of Jenny’s response as quintessentially ‘Millennial’ – team oriented, collaborative and authentic. For marketers, this insight could be potentially quite profound. Social media is not just about ‘communicating’ with friends, it is about ‘connecting’.   Marketers who provide affirmation, as well as information, will find it easier to fit into the lives of Millennials and their idea of success.

How can your brand provide the ‘high fives’ and ‘five minutes of fame’ Millennials value?