Sven,
The sequence I use is:
Mainsheet off, head to wind (tiller and mizzen locked amidships)
Hoist mainsail
Topping lift off to a predetermined mark, which allows the line to sag just enough (but not too much), so that it doesn't interfere with the sail. Let go too much and the line flaps about in a distracting way
Downhaul then outhaul on
Mainsheet in and away you go
To reef/unreef:
Mainsheet off, head to wind (tiller and mizzen locked amidships)
Downhaul and outhaul off
Topping lift on so that the sprit boom is more or less horizontal, or maybe even slightly raised at the aft end
Drop the mainsail (it can safely come down as fast as you like)
Mainsheet on
Reef/unreef
Then follow the first sequence to raise the reefed/unreefed mainsail
If you are just packing the mainsail away, follow the second sequence and then instead of reef/unreef, roll the mainsail up into a neat package from the port side and tie it up with sail ties. I also tie the end of the yard to the furled mizzen to stop the two banging against each other.
If you leave the topping lift on by mistake when you're trying to sail, you'll find it difficult to get the downhaul and outhaul out to their usual marks and you'll also wonder why the boat is so very slow. I suppose that you could use the topping lift for light wind sailing but I prefer a combination of fiddling with the outhaul and downhaul, shifting myself to the leeward side (if the wind is very light, like yesterday on Coniston) and/or pulling the bottom part of the mainsheet over to windward for more twist on a beat.
After using the topping lift a few times, it becomes second nature and you'll wonder how you ever sailed without it, especially when solo.
