As an instructor, restart checks, mayday call and passenger briefing all take second place to flying the aircraft. I have flown with pilots who can rattle-off a perfect set of checks but a) fail to pick a field b) completely fail to make the field they have chosen.
Some ponderings:
It doesn't really matter which method you use as long as you are comfortable with it and competent. When learning you are given one (or more) methods for assessing and positioning. These are merely building blocks. personally, I teach the constant aspect technique.
Achieve best glide speed - any faster/slower and you are eating into precious time/height.
Fly the aircraft.
Don't be too focussed on achieving a particular 'desirable'. A forced landing is a compromise so don't think that you must land into wind or find the longest field.
Fly the aircraft.
Be decisive but keep an eye on surrounding fields - you may choose/need to use one of them.
Don't stretch the glide (equally, don't go for drag too early)
Slipping/turning gives you more options than dropping flap. Once the flaps are down, it is a brave soul who will raise them.
Fly the aircraft.
Practice.