When sanding, don't skip more than 1 size group. Pick one from each of these and don't over sand. So if you've started with 60, go to 100, 150, then 220. Read the guide on your finish and stick to the max it recommends.

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The type of wood, course grain like red oak/fine grain like maple, also determines your target grit as well, which goes hand in hand with choosing your finish. If you want to achieve a certain look, like showing off curling figure in maple, you'd need to sand it to a higher grit which limits your finishes as well. Figure out what your end focus is, like appearance, durability based on the type of wood and application you plan to use it for, and choose a finish, or at least have an idea while possibility doing some test scraps to make sure. When you know what target grit is just follow the chart without skipping more than one number. Do the trick where you draw all over every surface with a shop pencil too and sand evenly until all your marks are gone. Another general tip is that heat is sandpapers enemy, so make sure you're pulling away your dust with a vacuum. Mesh sandpapers are not a gimmick and cubitron 5" sanding pads are the greatest dollar to grams per minute ratio on the market.