Layering SFX Under Pressure - Practical Workflow Tips?

Hey everyone, I'm a music composer, Andre Williams, and I've been diving deeper into sound design lately. I constantly come across advice championing the layering of multiple sounds for a single SFX event to get that really rich, impactful effect. Think a punch having a 'thwack,' a 'whoosh,' and a 'splatter' all rolled into one.

My current project, a fast-paced indie action film, has me on a ridiculously tight post-production schedule. I'm composing for it, but also doing some of the SFX, and I'm really struggling to implement this layering advice efficiently. I try, but it feels like it triples the time for even minor sound events. I'm primarily working with my usual setup, which includes an AMIRA and using an MKH 50 for foley sometimes.

For those of you who regularly layer SFX, especially when timelines are brutal, how have you adapted or streamlined this technique? Are there specific strategies or shortcuts you employ to achieve that layered depth without blowing your schedule?