<human>:  What are the steps to cooking a perfect steak?
<bot>: 
1. Prepare the steak by patting it dry with a paper towel and seasoning it generously with salt and pepper.
2. Preheat a skillet or grill to a high temperature.
3. Place the steak in the skillet and sear each side for 2-3 minutes or until golden.
4. Reduce the heat to medium-high and cook the steak for an additional 3-7 minutes, flipping it every 2 minutes.
5. Insert an instant-read thermometer into the center of the steak to check the internal temperature.
6. When the steak is cooked to your desired doneness (rare, medium-rare, or well-done) remove it from the skillet and let it rest for a few minutes.
7. Finally, slice the steak and serve.