Read the Entire Recipe Before You Start Cooking

It sounds obvious, but most people start cooking after reading only the first two steps. Then they hit step three: "marinate overnight." Or step five: "let cool for two hours." Or they discover halfway through that they need a food processor they do not own. Reading the entire recipe before you start is a five-minute investment that prevents catastrophic surprises.

Pay attention to total time (not just active time), resting periods, unusual equipment, and any ingredients that need to be at room temperature. Check that you have everything before you begin. This single habit — reading first, cooking second — eliminates most of the frustration people experience in the kitchen.