Prepare Like a Chef
In professional kitchens, chefs rely on a practice called mise en place—a French phrase meaning “everything in its place.” It’s the first step before cooking even begins. Ingredients are prepped, tools are ready, and every component is within reach. This isn’t about making cooking slower—it’s about making it smoother, more efficient, and more adaptable when things get chaotic.
Making prep can easily sound boring. Spontaneity feels more fun. That’s how I used to cook. That’s how I used to work, play—how I did everything. When I cooked, I’d just start. I figured as things were heating, I could chop, grab the next ingredients, and it would all get done faster. But, like with a lot of impulsive reactions, reality caught up. I’d realize too late that I was missing a key ingredient or that I was still chopping when something should have already been in the pan.
And it wasn’t just cooking. I did the same with work and life. I’d jump into things without enough planning, and halfway through, I’d be scrambling—patching things up, working around missing pieces, trying to keep everything from falling apart.
Chefs don’t start cooking without mise en place because they know that scrambling in the middle of a recipe slows them down. The same applies to life. Preparation doesn’t take away creativity—it supports it.
Being spontaneous has its benefits. It’s gotten me to start things I might have hesitated on. But for a long time, I confused movement with progress. I thought chaos was the only way to move forward.
Preparation isn’t just for cooking or work—prep makes life easier in ways we don’t always think about. Filling up on gas before a long drive prevents the stress of running on empty. Checking the weather before heading out helps you dress for the day instead of reacting to it. And when you’re heading out for a camping trip, realizing you forgot a water bottle or warm layers miles away from home isn’t fun. A little prep makes all the difference. Mise en place isn’t just for chefs. It’s a mindset we can use in everyday life—prepping for work, setting intentions before a conversation, or laying out small steps before tackling a big goal. Having a structure in place doesn’t limit me; it frees me. When things get tough, I’m not scrambling. I already have what I need.
And more than anything, I had to let go of the idea that prep “wasn’t my personality.” My personality isn’t fixed—it’s shaped by what I do. Every time I take a breath and stop rushing, I’m becoming a more patient person. Every time I lay the groundwork for a project instead of diving in blindly, I’m proving to myself that I can be someone who prepares—because in the end, we are what we repeat. And I’m practicing being prepped.
ACTION: Before jumping into your next task, take a moment to prepare. Set up what you need, think through the steps, and see how it changes your experience.
