On the way out (shore entry) I wear the mask on my head backwards. I wear my octo bungeed around my neck and wearing a mask there is too bulky. Carrying it gives chance to lose it, on the head backwards I am not to worried of it being knocked of by waves and so forth. Once my fins are on, quick spit and rinse on she goes and all set. Exiting the water, shallow enough to take off fins, means shallow enough to take off mask, place on back of head in this case mask first so I can clear my hood of water and hear as well. On a boat dive I wear it, last on and once on the deck of the boat after a dive again first off, clear ears and remove gear.
Everyone is different , that's what make us individules....