This is a fundamental mindset that I started with.  For all things (including polishing) detailing, use the least aggressive approach necessary.

Especially fast forwarding a decade later where paint is made thinner, I caution people to not be social media heroes chasing near perfection.  A mild correction with a year or less durable protection product, can potentially be a good starting point while you also get a feel for the challenges of getting preventing future swirls or scratches.

Focus on getting better at not introducing new swirls and scratches.  That starts with embracing better wash techniques.  But that also includes being proactive with communicating with dealerships and carefully selecting auto repair shops.  Most people do not take the scratch sensitivity of your paint or appreciation of you car seriously.

With that being said if you are looking for more aggression you actually have to use an authentic process.  True paint correction is ACTUALLY NOT a one stage paint correction.  There are multiple levels beyond a single stage process.  If you want to ensure the swirls are gone and make a significant improvement or removal of a moderate scratch you need a compound (aggressive polish) with a aggressive pad followed by a polish (non aggressive polish) with a polish pad.  See the picture below!

Something many people do not think about that and even affects me, the volume of different products keeping you from having a good experience with one.  Though most modern polishes, I would consider at least good and similar to each other, there is a uniqueness to the formulas.  In addition to each pad type and or polisher is going to perhaps have a different impact on the polishes of choice.  There is something to be said with experience with a limited number of products to enhance user experience and performance.

Detailing at its core speaks to the heart of the owner who takes pride in his or her car.  It is unique and deeper than the approval of others.  By others I mean both people who nitpick over swirls, scratches, and water-spots.  I also mean it is not about the populace who mocks your love of your paint, that thinks an automatic wash is a great detail.