Last night was the first SheSays Singapore event for 2016 at our favourite co-working space, JustCo. The focus for last night – Creating A Successful Career, featured a panel with some of the brightest minds across Singapore – Mina Lee, Andrea Edwards, Stanimira Koleva and Stephen Jagger.

So, what did we learn?

Building a successful career is about you. It’s not about what your boss thinks, it’s not about what your business tells you “successful” means. It’s about what you want out of your life and your career. It’s about how you define Happiness.

So, based off our discussion last night, how can you build a successful career?

Find Your Vision: Do you know what you want? Where do you want to be in 5 years, 5 months or 5 weeks? To be successful, you need know what you want and what your vision of success is. If it’s becoming a Vice President at 34, a CEO by 40, finding the answer to solar energy, or starting your own business or fund, define it and then build a plan and make concerted steps to work towards it.

Define Success: I’ve heard so many different definitions of success – a second apartment in Melbourne, a boat in Thailand, a million dollars in the bank, to change the world or starting an online business – everyone has different definitions of success. Figure yours out. What’s important to you? What’s your definition of success? What do you want to give back?

Understand What Fits: One size, does not fit all. I have a friend who always wanted a job at Google. It was her dream company and she loved it because of what they stood for. After 6 months in the business, she wanted out. Why? The structure of the business and the “role” did not suit her. Take the time to understand what you need from a job/ business before you get into one. It may sound like the perfect role, but you need to ask yourself – the role, goals, the leadership and factors defining success within the business, does it suit me?

Build Your Tribe: Talk to people who believe in what you do, support your passions and empower you. Your tribe is made up of mentors, mental and emotional supporters and even your personal trainer – a group of people who are there to push you forward and cheer you on. They’re already around you – so find them and be there for each other.

Focus: Know what you want, focus on it and pedal to the metal, go for it. If you want to start your own business, to get that deal or promotion, you need to focus on it and burn towards it. There will be roadblocks along the way – with focus, you’ll find solutions.

Empathy: The best leaders and colleagues, are the ones who care. You get what you put in. Sincerity, empathy and positivity make the everyday a much better place and help drive people to be better & do better. A team that works well together, is a first step to ensuring success.

Personal Branding: Defining your personal brand ensures that you’re positioning yourself to clients and stakeholders in the right way and more importantly, getting into the roles and projects you’re most excited about – thus enabling your success.

Always Learning: Never stop learning. Check out Khan Academy, go to Hyper Island, (in Singapore) use your Skills Future Credit and ensure you’re always discovering more. The most successful people are the ones who are always learning – even at the top of your game, there’s still an opportunity to know more.

Most importantly, success comes from HAPPINESS. You and your brain work significantly better when you’re positive and happy. When you’re happy in your career or job, feeling inspired everyday, working towards a goal, that meets your vision of success – nothing else matters.

Meera Jane, Power Organiser – SheSays Singapore (@meerajane)