I have found that lucid dreaming is a lot like a golf swing; its muscle memory, if you can call it that. Our preparation is learning the techniques, repeating our mantras, practicing awareness... This is much like practicing a swing path, going through a checklist for a proper putt, and what have you. If you focus on all the small parts of the machine, you often forget one in the process. It's all about practicing so much that eventually your body takes over and knows what to do; and does it perfectly. I find that if I have a heavy meditation session, have been mindful all day and then do a mantra, its the day AFTER that I become lucid. Just something to think about.