Beginner struggling with footwork and shots, what actually helped you improve?

Been playing for a little while and these are my two biggest problems:

Footwork- I’m always late to the shuttle. By the time I get to the back, the shot falls apart. I know footwork is fundamental but I don’t know what to actually drill or fix first.

Shots- My clears are inconsistent and I have no reliable attacking option. Not sure if it’s technique, timing, or just that my footwork is putting me in bad positions to begin with.

Not looking for a YouTube rabbit hole, just what genuinely helped you when you were starting out. Specific drills, habits, cues, anything.