Dare to try. It is a beautiful simple thought; yet the radical act of starting something, striving and of not giving up is a commitment that takes courage in the collective brain fog of 2021. 

Coming together to foster creativity, collaboration and collective support is the ethos that underpins Get Sh*t Done. The open and inclusive event series, which kicked off in 2017, is the brainchild of award-winning creative director Rebecca Rowntree. A movement that perhaps the industry needs more than ever this uniquely fragile year. 

For in the wake of the collective grief of the pandemic, there is no question that it is not possible to talk about getting things done without addressing grief, loss and burnout. According to the recently released Women in the Workplace Report from McKinsey & Company and leanIn 42% of women are struggling with workplace burnout, compared to 35% of men.

Burnout was particularly acute for women of colour in the workplace. The research revealed that despite progress on awareness of racism; companies are still falling short when it comes to accountability; with racist microaggressions at work occurring on the same scale as two years ago. These microaggressions cause women of colour to be twice as likely to be burned out and three times more likely to have struggled at work due to stress.

There are complex issues behind the rising level of burnout amongst all employees, regardless of how they identify their gender. While true flexibility affords the opportunity for far greater creative fulfillment the ‘always on’ culture of digital presenteeism simply replaces one broken system with another. An ecosystem in which getting shit done is not always easier and the opportunity for a reset moment is clear. 

So in the light of these multifaceted challenges we asked the panel what would be the one key piece of advice they would share for getting shit done in 2021? 

Zoe Scaman, Founder of Bodacious

My key piece of advice would be to listen to your body, listen to where your mind is at and find a way to work within your own rhythm, even if it feels weird or off-kilter.

If you need an afternoon nap, have one. If you suddenly come alive at 9:27pm, start working. If Saturdays are stronger than Mondays, do your thing.

I think the tyranny of 9-5 pm and office presenteeism meant that we were forced to operate a certain way for a certain duration, but now that we've proven that remote working and flexibility don't result in people twiddling their thumbs, then being able to work to our own individual rhythms is a healthier and happier way to be.

Rebecca Rowntree, Creative Director 

The pandemic has shown us all that we don’t have as much time as we think we have. That is a great motivation to get going but can also bring a lot of pressure, which can be especially hard if it is something you have been putting off for a while. So remember starting is the hardest thing and whilst to-do lists are good they can also be daunting. Just be clear about what you want to achieve and do one thing at a time; you can always plan more once you get more confident. But above all remember to Get Sh*t Done, whatever it is you want to achieve, it is supposed to be fun, so enjoy it!

Nils Leonard, Co-Founder Uncommon Creative Studio

Covid was like kryptonite for change. Like giving an overloaded protein shake to retreat and fear.

Making change is hard enough already without a cough that forced us all into a housebound pause for a year. But Virginia said it best: You can’t find peace by avoiding life.

We had walls before. And reasons not to. We didn’t let them stop us then and we should be damned if we are going to let them slip by us in the fog of 2021. 

Rebecca is having a meeting where we can turn up and get shit done. I’m in.

Are you in too? Then get yourself to Havas KX on Wednesday 20th October at 6.30. Tickets are available here.