I fill the washing up bowl (or just the sink for the Americans) with hot water while my food is cooking. This has quite a few advantages:

1. It breaks the psychological barrier of actually starting the task of washing up, and because I'm doing other things, I don't feel like I'm waiting around for the water.

2. Dishes created during the cooking process can be cleaned quickly as they're used, without interrupting my flow. That means there's no daunting pile of dishes at the end of the meal.

3. When you finish eating, the water is already there ready for use. It's a simple dunk and wipe which is almost as quick as dumping the plates on the side.