Mise en place is a French term from cooking.
It means “to put in place.”

Ingredients are washed.
Chopped.
Set out before heat is applied.

The work happens early.
Quietly.
Without urgency.

By the time cooking begins, much of the attention has already settled.

Outside the kitchen, the idea still holds.
Preparing a space.
Clearing a surface.
Laying things out so they’re ready.

The pause happens before anything starts.