You’ve bought all the ingredients, the cook book is open to the recipe, and you’ve got a clean workspace. You’re ready to make a new dish.
You follow the instructions. You measure, and pour, and dice, and stir. You plate up, and it’s a success.
But you look at the kitchen, and it’s a disaster. The counter is a mess, the sink is piled high with dishes, and your apron has new stains.
Don’t worry. The first meal is always a mess. You’re finding your way. You’re trying something new. You’re experimenting. Optimisation can come later.
The real lesson here lies beyond the kitchen.