Creativity is like a dance — more of a process than an entity or a result. And being a creative professional (which all business owners are, to some extent) is often more like a lifestyle than a job.

After an unusual year filled with challenges and silver linings, I wanted to open up my creative world to you, and give you a behind-the-scenes look at a day in the life at JonesHaus.

For many, the pandemic introduced a stay-at-home routine that was new — uncharted territory. Our team, though, has been working remotely since 2013. Over the years, we’ve learned the power of creating routine at home, and how important it can be to creativity and productivity.

Mornings are for exercise and mindfulness.

I Iove beginning the day with movement and meditation. Exercise is energizing and helps combat stress; taking a walk or doing a work-out in the morning helps me feel ready for the day. I also like to meditate as a way to clear my mind and feel calm.

Next, I ease into my work day by reading emails and sipping unsweet ice tea on my back screened-in porch.

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Optimize your brain power time

A few hours after waking is usually when I’m sharpest, so mornings are for creative and strategic work.

With my cats sitting on the desk "supervising", I harness the most productive part of my day for branding and strategy projects for our clients. Knowing your optimal brain time is a great way to feel productive and do your best work.

Simon and Oliver are my Flame Point Himalyan cats. These old guys love creative productivity!

Lunch time usually means a big healthy salad. Afternoons are reserved for calls with clients and my creative team, when we talk about brand identity, web design, strategy and everything else that goes into a great brand.

Despite (and in some ways, because of) the pandemic, traditional networking has moved to the online space. This year, we connected with and subsequently worked with a few great companies who we met through Facebook and LinkedIn.

What fuels you?

A couple of days a week, I leave in the afternoon for the barn to ride my dressage horse, Frank Sinatra.

Riding is a wonderful way for me to fuel my creativity and passion. Staying inspired is absolutely essential to doing excellent creative work. While often, that inspiration comes from being immersed in art, design and brand strategy, it just as often comes from being away from my desk: outside, with my horse or walking in the woods.

Creating balance — between work and play, focus and exploration, movement and rest — benefits and strengthens all different components of life.

Whatever changes you’ve experienced this year, I hope you’ve found a routine that ignites your creativity, fuels your productivity, and allows you to experience life’s joy every day.