Prepare to Cook and Bake Ahead of time!!!
Before you start cooking or baking from a recipe, be sure to read the recipe all the way through. As you read, assemble the ingredients; you don't want to get to the middle and find you've forgotten something. Then take out all the pots, pans, cooking utensils, bowls, measuring cups, serving dishes and so forth that you'll need to make your recipe.
I have also found that its helpful (if you own a dishwasher) to have it emptied out and as you go along and dirty items, to place them immediately into the dishwasher...then after you eat your meal, your clean up is a snap!