For those of you who are chefs, at home or otherwise, you likely know the term mise en place. If you’re like me, I learned it more recently. It is a French culinary phrase that means “to put in place” or “everything in its place”.

Mise en place refers to the setup or organization required in a professional kitchen. By preparing everything in advance, from chopping and cleaning to measuring out sauces, cuts of meat, and spices, a chef is prepared for the shift ahead.

Mise en place also refers to preparing and setting a state of mind, not just the process of preparing ingredients. To be efficient and purposeful, a chef must prepare both their physical and mental space.

While this term originated from the world of cooking, the concept can also used in other worlds of work and in life.

Think about your current space and/or work routines. Is everything in its place? Do you have a system that works for you? Are you organized in a way that allows you to be as efficient and purposeful as possible? Are your habits a result of convenience or intentional preparation?

Mise en place can be useful for any part of our life and can be easier than you think.

For example, to save time, money, and to be healthier, craft a healthy meal plan for the week and then grocery shop accordingly. Daily decisions, last minute trips to the store, or pricy fast food purchases will be avoided. A simple meal plan can make a big difference.

Another way to integrate mise en place is by spending 10 minutes every Sunday night mapping out a plan for the work week. This minimizes distractions, keeps you focussed, and moving forward toward larger goals. By knowing what you’re going to do or accomplish each day, you have a plan of action before you sit down. I have found this has increased my productivity immensely.

Whether you’re creating a space or a routine that is mental or physical, mise en place helps you do your best work.

Add a little mise en place to your life and you’ll notice the difference.

-Lauren

P.s. As always, feel free to book a free 30-minute consultation to see how we can help.