Satisfied with a methodical start (3)
I believe the answer is:
met
'satisfied' is the definition.
(as in 'met the conditions of his contract')
I can't explain the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for met that I've seen before include "satisfied" , "Got together" , "Encountered, came across" , "gathered together" , "Came across - police in London" .)