I often wake up in the morning around 7 and go back to sleep. During this time I usually feel like im only half asleep, and this is the easiest time for me to remember my dreams. I often feel like im affecting my dreams, but not consciously. I occasionally feel like I can guide my dreams by thinking certain things, but i don't do it on purpose, My mind usually wanders and sometimes i can get it to wander in a certain direction, but that's about it I can't really "control" any of it.

My questions is: Is this the proper setting to start having lucid dreams? And will practicing dream signs help me to begin to control these situations. Or is there something else i should be practicing? Thanks.