I'm an intermediate cook, but it still takes me ages to chop things (other steps, too, but mostly the chopping). I think there's a balance -- if you want it done today, then focus on the chopping. If it's going to take long anyway and is intensely boring, set the cutting board and a couple bowls on the coffee table and watch something while you're cutting -- it'll go even slower, but it'll be less tiresome.

Also, I hate browning meat and all those other "preliminary" supposedly simple steps. Because of this, I tend not to cook very often. Hamburger Helper is just too much work for me. As I live alone, I tend to cook one or two large things and then live off the leftovers.