Shaving is a lot like painting

Painting is easy, shaving is easy, preparation is the key!

My routine:

Shower with hot towel on the face for 2 mintues
Face lather and rub in for a minute
Let the lather sit on the face while I mix a new bowl
Rinse with hot water
Relather
Shave WTG, XTG, ATG
Post shave splash with witch hazel

If I skimp on the preparation I get a mediocre shave. I'd say to any beginner to focus more energy on the preparation and less energy on the type of razor, blade angles, etc. That stuff will come, but the preparation has to be deliberate from the beginning.