Beginner filmmaker seeks practical color grading workflow from correction onward

[Ethan.W]

I'm an aspiring filmmaker working on my first short film, and while I'm comfortable with the basics of editing, I'm completely overwhelmed by color grading. My footage looks flat and inconsistent between scenes shot at different times of day, and I'm struggling to create a cohesive, cinematic look that supports the story's mood. For editors and colorists, what is a practical workflow for a beginner to approach color grading, from initial correction to creating a stylized look, without getting lost in endless sliders and presets?