This advice from my husband made all the difference for me. (And I regret it when I think I can avoid doing it… which happens quite often.)
Prepare everything before starting the cooking steps. Ingredients need to be measured/chopped/etc before you start cooking ANY of them. Ingredients added in the same step can share a bowl, but otherwise try to make it look like a cooking show. You can bring water to a boil, put the pan on *low* heat, and preheat the oven while you prepare.
Not only does it mean you’re cooking everything at the right time and measuring correctly, it also allows you to clean up the prep mess before making a mess in the kitchen, which your future self will appreciate after the meal.
