Recipe for Success?  It's a piece of cake!

I wrote this as a LinkedIn update a little while ago.

As a long time vegetarian, I am frequently asked to describe meals, what food to buy, how to cook it and, yes, the very common, where do vegetarians get their protein.

Last year, I wrote a couple of articles, one for the Vegetarian Society of Ireland website, about shopping to stock your cupboards as a new vegetarian. Last week, some radio interviews ended up covering a lot of the same information. It occurred to me that stocking your cupboards with the right foods is a metaphorical recipe for success whatever your project or undertaking.

The recipe for success in any area starts with 'stocking your cupboards', and having the right 'ingredients' so, when you're starting a new project;

1)do the research and

2)acquire the knowledge so that you

3)know the 'ingredients' you need and

4)have the right tools at your disposal

5)have you checked your process/recipe?

6)don't be afraid to ask for help!

7)keep your ingredients and tools in order

8)replace if you run out and have a 'shopping list'

9)don't be afraid to try new things

10)if it doesn't work first time, look, learn, try again.

Sometimes a recipe just needs a little tweak, the first result may not be perfect but it is a result and you now have the knowledge, the tool and newly acquired experience.

Last but not least.  Don't forget to enjoy the cake!