Lessons from Writing a Cookbook: 3 Things I Learned to Be More Effective at Work

I grew up in Rhode Island, but during college and in my early professional years I moved around and traveled a lot. Eight years ago, I relocated back to Rhode Island and many of my friends and family did, as well. It was so nice to feel like I’m “home” again.?

I’ve always loved to cook —?and now back at home with a great group around me — I found myself always cooking for large crowds. Over time, I began cultivating a collection of recipes and family favorites that became my “go-to” recipes, and I’d always joke about wanting to create a cookbook.?

Life is often so busy that it can be difficult to find the time or the motivation to tackle side projects, even if it is something that brings you great joy. Then the pandemic hit. During the early days of the pandemic, I found myself with more time on my hands, as did almost everyone. With the pandemic forcing nearly the entire world to take a pause, I found myself in the kitchen a lot.?

We lived in our pandemic “bubble,” but given the size of our extended family, our bubble was still big. Sunday dinner was never less than 10 people, and I began to focus on seasonal recipes and cooking to keep myself happy and motivated. Admittedly, this was nothing new, but something about this felt different somehow… so I started writing down my recipes.?

Fast forward to today, and I now have a full draft of a cookbook, made up of about 115 recipes arranged by season. I am about halfway through doing final tests on all the recipes. As I tested my recipes and reflected on the creative process that brought this book to life, I began to notice parallels between the kitchen and the workplace. Here are 3 things I learned from creating a cookbook that have helped me to be more effective at work.?

#1. It helps to visualize your ultimate goal

Once I decided that I wanted the cookbook to be laid out seasonally, to take advantage of the fruits and vegetables that are at the farmers market,, I began to create separate sections for each course, such as appetizers, sides, salads, etc. By deciding early on who the book’s audience was and who I was writing the book for, it was easier for me to plan and get organized.?

This lesson has served me well at work, also. When going after new accounts, I’ve learned that it’s always worth it to take the time to do proper planning early on. I ask questions such as, “What special expertise do we need to have involved?” and “Do we want to incorporate any extra elements, such as videos or websites?” By making decisions early on in the planning process, it is less stressful for everyone.?

Beginning with the end in mind may sound pretty common, but it’s not necessarily done very often. Visualizing your ultimate goal early on helps to get everyone aligned on where you are going, how you will get there and maximize the productivity of the group. Set some time aside to be creative and for creative planning. It’s easy to get lost in calls and meetings, so pencil in some time to allow for blue sky thinking.?

#2. Be deliberate in your words and tone?

Let’s face it: our words and our tone matter. In a cookbook, clarity and consistency is everything. You need to know your audience and who your message is for. For instance, my book was written for home cooks with minimal to moderate levels of experience. I crafted everything, from the recipes I created to the instructions I used, with this audience in mind.?

Similarly, in the workplace, you need to think about who your audience is when drafting articles, creating proposals, delivering webinars, and more. Use language and a tone that connects and resonates with them. And if you are working on a specific pursuit, always try to use their vernacular. For instance, if you know your prospect prefers the term “team members,” don’t refer to “colleagues” in your proposal. Imagine that you are following their branding or style guide to connect your cultures.

#3. You can’t do it alone

I? knew I wanted another set of eyes on my cookbook, so I brought my brother in to help —? it really took the book to the next level. He also loves to cook, but he has a very different approach. He’s more of a baker, precise and exact in his measurements. I mean, he has a 10 page diary on his sourdough starter! His feedback helped me to frame things in my book, as well as refine my message and tone. His insights simplified my book and made it more digestible.?

It can be difficult to ask for help, especially in the workplace. Sometimes our own self-doubt gets in the way of asking for help with something. Other times it feels like bringing in another perspective may slow things down. It’s important to remember that people want you to succeed and, most often, they genuinely like to help. It’s always a good idea to have another set of eyes on whatever you’re working on.?

Of course, none of this is rocket science, but when you find yourself sitting in front of a computer screen for 12 hours a day or facing a schedule of back-to-back meetings, it can be easy to lose sight of the basics. These are great reminders that not only help you in your work, but also streamline your day.?

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