Work Clean

Key Takeaways

1. Mise-en-place: The chef's secret to organization and efficiency

Mise-en-place is a tradition of focus and discipline, a method of working and being. Many cooks call it a way of life.

The chef's philosophy. Mise-en-place, French for "put in place," is more than just organizing ingredients and tools for cooking. It's a comprehensive system of values and behaviors that professional chefs use to achieve excellence in their work. This philosophy encompasses:

• Preparation: Gathering resources and planning ahead
• Process: Executing tasks efficiently and refining methods
• Presence: Being fully engaged and aware in the moment

Universal application. While developed in kitchens, mise-en-place principles can be applied to any profession or aspect of life. The system helps individuals:

• Manage time effectively
• Organize spaces for optimal productivity
• Maintain focus amid chaos
• Deliver high-quality results consistently

2. Planning is prime: Honesty with time and daily preparation

Make sure that your station is clean, and everything that follows from that.

The power of planning. Chefs prioritize planning above all else, recognizing that preparation is crucial for success. This involves:

• Being realistic about time requirements
• Scheduling tasks in sequence
• Anticipating challenges and preparing solutions

Daily practice. Implement a 30-minute "Daily Meeze" to:

• Clear physical and digital workspaces
• Review and update task lists and calendars
• Plan the next day's activities
• Gather necessary resources

By making planning a non-negotiable habit, you set yourself up for success and reduce stress throughout your day.

3. Arrange spaces and perfect movements to reduce friction

Nobody is naturally disposed to move this way. You don't often think, 'I'm going to put my groceries away in the most efficient way possible today.'

Ergonomic design. Create workspaces that minimize unnecessary movement and maximize efficiency:

• Arrange tools and resources within easy reach
• Group related items together
• Eliminate clutter and unnecessary objects

Deliberate movement. Practice and refine your movements to reduce wasted energy:

• Use both hands simultaneously when possible
• Minimize crossing over your body's central axis
• Chain related tasks together for smoother workflow

By optimizing your space and movements, you reduce physical and mental fatigue, allowing you to focus more energy on your actual work.

4. Clean as you go: Maintain your system constantly

If you can't clean, you can't cook. You cook the way you look.

Continuous maintenance. Don't wait for messes to accumulate. Instead:

• Clean and organize as you work
• Return tools and materials to their designated places immediately after use
• Wipe down surfaces regularly

Mental clarity. A clean workspace promotes a clear mind:

• Reduces visual distractions
• Lowers stress and anxiety
• Improves focus and decision-making

By keeping your environment clean and organized at all times, you maintain the efficiency of your system and create a more pleasant, productive atmosphere.

5. Make first moves: Prioritize and start now

When the time is on you, start, and the pressure will be off.

Seize the moment. Recognize that actions taken now have more impact than those taken later:

• Start projects immediately, even with small steps
• Use "first moves" as placeholders or reminders for future tasks
• Set processes in motion that others can work on

Dual time perspective. Understand the difference between:

• Immersive time: Hands-on, focused work
• Process time: Setting things in motion, delegating, and managing

By making first moves and balancing these two types of time, you can multiply your productivity and effectiveness.

6. Finish actions: Deliver and unblock stuck projects

A project that is 90 percent complete is zero percent complete because it's not deliverable.

Completion mindset. Develop a strong drive to finish what you start:

• Recognize that incomplete tasks consume mental energy
• Push through resistance and fatigue to reach completion
• Tie up loose ends before moving on to new tasks

Unblocking techniques:

• Identify and remove obstacles to progress
• Break large tasks into smaller, manageable chunks
• Use checklists to track and complete multi-step processes

By consistently finishing actions and unblocking stuck projects, you maintain momentum and deliver results more reliably.

7. Slow down to speed up: Work smoothly and steadily

Precision precedes speed.

Controlled pace. Resist the urge to rush, even under pressure:

• Move deliberately and smoothly
• Focus on accuracy and quality first
• Allow speed to develop naturally through practice

Calming techniques:

• Take deep breaths to center yourself
• Clean your workspace to restore order and focus
• Break down complex tasks into smaller steps

By working at a steady, controlled pace, you actually save time by reducing errors and maintaining consistent quality.

8. Open eyes and ears: Balance internal and external awareness

Chefs never run because they're always in the right place at the right time.

Situational awareness. Develop the ability to focus intensely while remaining aware of your surroundings:

• Use all your senses to gather information
• Practice active listening and observation
• Anticipate needs and potential issues

Attunement strategies:

• Create "triggers" for important information or events
• Use visual and auditory cues to stay alert
• Practice shifting focus between tasks and environment

By cultivating this balanced awareness, you can respond more effectively to changing situations and collaborate better with others.

9. Call and callback: Confirm essential communication

Don't say 'Heard.' Tell me what you heard.

Clear communication. Develop a system of verbal confirmation to ensure understanding:

• Use specific language to convey information
• Repeat back important details to confirm comprehension
• Establish a shared vocabulary for common tasks and situations

Efficient information flow:

• Prioritize essential communication
• Use concise language to convey key points
• Establish clear channels for different types of information

By implementing a robust communication system, you reduce errors, improve coordination, and build trust within your team.

10. Inspect and correct: Evaluate yourself and coach others

Mastery is never achieved; it is a constant state of evaluation and refinement.

Continuous improvement. Regularly assess your work and methods:

• Seek feedback from others
• Analyze mistakes to identify areas for improvement
• Experiment with new techniques and approaches

Coaching mindset:

• Share knowledge and skills with others
• Provide constructive feedback and support
• Create an environment that encourages learning and growth

By consistently evaluating and refining your work, and helping others do the same, you foster a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.

11. Total utilization: Value all resources and waste nothing

If you kill an animal, you should eat all of it. It's only polite.

Resource consciousness. Develop a deep appreciation for the value of all resources:

• Time: Use every moment productively
• Space: Optimize layout and storage
• Energy: Conserve physical and mental effort
• Materials: Minimize waste and find creative uses for scraps

Holistic approach:

• Consider the broader impact of your actions
• Seek ways to maximize efficiency and minimize waste
• Balance productivity with sustainability

By adopting a mindset of total utilization, you not only improve your own efficiency but also contribute to a more sustainable and responsible way of working and living.

12. Commit to working clean: A system for life

Just do your Daily Meeze, and everything will fall into place.

Lifestyle integration. Embrace working clean as a comprehensive approach to life:

• Apply mise-en-place principles to all areas: work, home, and personal
• Develop consistent habits and routines
• Strive for balance between structure and flexibility

Key components of the Work Clean system:

• Missions: Long-term goals and projects
• Actions: Specific tasks, organized into "Frontburners" and "Backburners"
• Routines: Scheduled time blocks for different types of work

By committing to the Work Clean system and integrating its principles into your daily life, you create a foundation for sustainable success, efficiency, and personal growth.

Last updated: January 23, 2025

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