Since lucid dreaming, recall, etc. methods differ person to person, you just have to experiment and see what works for you. And remember your life isn't stagnant, so what used to work for you may no longer do so.

There really isn't such a thing as a wasted lucid attempt. Even if an attempt "fails" in that you don't become lucid by its end, you still gain the knowledge of what *doesn't* work for you. All of it brings you closer to realizing your goal