Organize your ingredients before you start cooking. This practice, known as "mise en place" (French for "everything in its place"), involves gathering and preparing all your ingredients before you begin cooking. Chop vegetables, measure out spices, and prepare any other components needed for your recipe. Having everything ready and within reach will streamline the cooking process, reduce stress, and help ensure that you don't forget any ingredients while you're cooking. Plus, it makes clean-up easier since you'll have fewer dishes to wash as you go along.