Is It Time to Mise en Place Your Goals?
In the world of great chefs—from Auguste Escoffier, the father of modern French cuisine, to the late Anthony Bourdain—mise en place (pronounced meez-ahn-plahs)is sacred. Meaning everything in its place, mise en place is a sacred principle in the world’s finest kitchens and everyday life.
Before a single dish is cooked, the kitchen is spotless, the trash is out, the hand towels are fresh, and the knives are sharp. Every ingredient is measured, and every tool is ready. Only then does the real work begin.
So why don’t we approach our goals the same way?
We spend so much time dreaming, wishing, making lists, and talking about what we want to do, but how often do we prepare to achieve those goals with the same level of intention? Too often, we’re trying to create a new habit in a cluttered kitchen full of yesterday’s dirty dishes. We’re ready to start a fitness routine, but can’t find our gym shoes. We want to show more initiative at work but haven’t paused to reflect on how we’ll follow through.
Every great meal starts with preparation. Every great goal should, too.
5 Steps to Mise en Place Your Next Goal
1. Clear the Clutter – Quiet the Noise.
No great or lasting endeavor begins in chaos. Whether it’s the dishes in your sink, the emails piling up, or the mental noise of unfinished tasks, clear your space. Unclutter your desk, your home, and your mind. A chef wouldn’t start prepping dinner in a messy kitchen. Don’t start your next big goal in one either. Make space for focus to thrive.
2. Gather (and Get Brutal with) Your Tools and Ingredients.
Be intentional about the resources you need. If your goal is to close a six-figure quota gap in May, what’s in your toolkit? Who are the contacts, strategies, and follow-ups that will make that happen? If you aim to walk every morning at 6 AM, let’s talk about your bedtime routine. Falling asleep on the sofa or scrolling in bed won’t set you up for success. Are your shoes ready the night before? Do you need to wind down earlier?
There’s always a yin and a yang—resources and routines must align. You can’t cook a great meal without the right tools and ingredients, and you can’t hit your goal without understanding what you have and what’s missing.
When you plan well, show up, and stay clear on the goal—it’s hard to miss the mark.
3. Know Your Recipe – Define the Steps.
Great chefs know their recipes inside and out—the ingredients, the order, the timing. Your goals need the same clarity.
Whether you’re building a fitness habit, increasing your work accountability, or stepping into a higher leadership role, spell out the steps.
What does your day look like? What are your non-negotiables? What milestones do you need to hit? Write them down. The path becomes clearer when it’s laid out.
Is there one goal in May that is calling for action?
4. Prep Your Station – Plan Smarter, Not Just Harder.
Planning isn’t about adding complexity—it’s about removing friction.
Use what’s available to you: ChatGPT, Grok, digital calendars, task managers. Automate where you can. Schedule the important things and cut down on unnecessary decision-making. Better planning yields better results. The right tools can make even the hardest tasks feel manageable.
5. Start with Presence – Be the Great Chef in Your Own Kitchen.
Before service begins, a great chef takes a moment. They know what success looks like for the evening. Do you?
Visualize your success from all angles. If imagining the full picture feels forced or out of reach, scale it back. You should feel uncomfortable (because growth always stretches us), but still energized and ready to tackle something difficult.
Success starts in the mind before it happens in reality.
Prepare yourself, then step into the work with intention.
As we step into May, think of this as your call to mise en place your life, your work, and your goals. Clear the clutter. Set the tools. Define the steps. Prepare your station. Step forward with intent.
Great chefs don’t wing it—and neither should we. Start May off right by getting everything in its place.
At The Hunter Ambrose Edge, we believe preparation isn’t just a step—it’s the foundation.
Take good care. Nicole Barbano Founder and Principal | Hunter Ambrose Int.
