I usually have the best luck with MILD when I do the following upon waking in the middle of the night:

1) Review the dream I just awoke from, looking for inconsistancies and dream signs
2) Think of reality checks I should have performed when experienceing the things in #1
3) Begin to relax and daydream or fantisize on where the dream would have gone if I had not woken up.

Try to do number 3 until you fall asleep. If you find your mind drifting to other things, try to get it back on track.

So I guess to answer your question, steps 1 and 2 are logical, but step three is abstract and forces you to use your imagination.