With experience, things go smoothly.

When using multiple flashes, you just set up the first one correctly, and then add the second one, and then the third.

You just have to know what you want BEFORE setting up

On this case, I wanted the item well lit, as well as his face. The rest had to be a couple of stop darker. I started with the umbrella for the silver item. Not to much light: this is a reflecting surface! I made sure this flash was not falling too much on the priest. Then, I snooted the second flash and made sure only his face was lit (that’s why I snooted: I can focus the beam exactly where I want, even from farter away).

And then the final touch: a backlight to add some separation (this light is VERY subtle on this particular photo).

When you know what you are doing, each light should not take more than 2 minutes to set up - 2-3 test shots each. When using multiple flashes, I make sure to shoot a couple of frames before adding each light so my subject does not get bored

However, it is uncommon for me to use more than one flash, and I almost never use 3.