My guess is that your prep is adequate if not better. Technique is a huge factor and, at your experience level, is at play. That will improve. I'd strongly suggest you check your stropping...see if you don't see immediate results after a good strop session. Read strop comments and see if they help.
I'm at it for about 3 months now. There will be plateaus and also great accelerations in your technique and results. Keep at it.