[David Gregorio]

https://www.ubermediahd.com/blog/?p=353

describes some tips for changing clip connection points. FCPX also uses the tilda ~ key to “ignore clip connections”. Larry Jordan and Ripple training are also great resources.

Optimizing does help, it speeds up your export as well. I’ve found that stabilization, multicam and the auto syncing of clips works much better with optimized. We just mostly xdcam which is nativly supported (doesn’t get re-rendered to prores).

They also suggest closing the inspector when not needed. I think some of the sluggishness comes from having to update the inspector when you’re hopping around between clips.
Also, you can hide the audio waveforms when not needed. They take time to redraw, especially w non optimized.