Help Improving?

So I've been lucid before (even though it was on total accident) so I get the gist of what it feels like, and I know how to confirm lucidity. (I usually just check a clock.)

However, I'm terribly at spotting dreamsigns. And I've tried using a lot of techniques like the "Hands" technique. (Which almost worked the first night, but hasn't since.) and various repetition techniques.
I can't seem to fall asleep while doing the repetition. When I repeat out loud, it's extremely hard for me to fall asleep for who knows why. When I repeat it over and over in my mind, the constant mental work (i think) makes it hard for me to sleep.

Do you have a technique (without binaurals) that can help me go lucid tonight? Or any advice on how to improve techniques I'm already using? (And I am already keeping a dream journal, just FYI.)

You must and I stress, must be consistent with your techniques. Though I can try to give you a placebo affect, this will not work for you to achieve consistent lucid dreams. To achieve consistent lucid dreams you must practice whichever technique you are using all the time.
As for not being able to fall asleep while doing the repetitions mentally, you are probably focusing too hard. Try and relax more.

I agree fully with fOrceez. Repetition is key. Way too many people fail at lucid dreaming simply because they try MILD one week, have no success and next week they try to focus on WILD. You need to train your brain over a long period of time (it varies from person to person) in order to become fluently successful with a technique such as DILD. Eventually you will add your own little tweaks through experience and perfect a DILD technique that works just for you.

And yes, focusing too much can be just as damaging as not trying hard enough. You don't necessarily need to repeat it till you fall asleep. More passively suggest to your mind that you are going to have a DILD tonight and that you are going to recognize your dream signs.