Webster doesn’t know everything. Some words can’t be defined by a dictionary. Rather they are defined by our values, ethos, and principles. We asked hidden gems from the community about how they define success and have shared their responses below.

Meghan Saletta | Singer/songwriter

I define success as a life built around honoring my deepest values. Right now, these include: creativity, my relationships, environment (I live in Colorado and love the climate and access to nature here), movement (I am an avid runner) and rest. Success for me looks like small intentional decisions (like writing for an hour each day) that build over time. When I spend as much time and energy as is possible for me without burning out focused on writing and songwriting – bringing forth whatever I have to say and not leaving anything behind, I consider myself creatively successful and fulfilled. Read more>>

Ellyse Simpson | Wedding Photographer

Are we talking about career success or life success? I read somewhere that we spend roughly 80% of our lives working. If we spend 80% of our lives working, then we can safely say that life success and career success go hand in hand. So by that logic my question is “do you enjoy your life?”. My answer is a wholehearted yes. I spend my 80% watching people start their forevers, seeing parents hold giggling children who will be up and grown in the blink of an eye, and fighting back tears as I watch people realize how beautiful they are. My 80% is giving people moments that remind them of who they love and why they love them. Sounds like success to me. Read more>>

Kyle Baseggio | Realtor

I don’t think there is just one definition to success and it’s different for every person. I don’t think we can look at success in a monetary way either. Personally, I think success is living the life you want to live and getting better every day, week, month, and year. Success is not merely setting goals and hitting them, but rather hitting your goals and then setting new goals that are even bigger than what you just reached. Striving for greatness and making your goals bigger and bigger each year can make you feel successful. By making your goals bigger every time you hit them, you won’t become content and complacent which in my mind is a great definition of success. Becoming a better husband and dad each and every day can also make you feel successful. You must find out what’s truly important to you and strive to live that life every day; if you can do that, success in those terms will be inevitable. Read more>>