WILDing help?

Sorry for the generic title but I couldn't think of anything else. >.<

I couldn't really find a tutorial addressing my question so I needed some advice from some experienced WILDers out there. My question is whilst I'm WILDing what do I focus on? Am I suppose to stay completely aware of my surroundings, or do I focus on my dream imagery? Or do I switch over at some stage as a handful of guides have vaguely suggested.

Focusing on my surroundings seems to disrupt my breathing which then tells my body I'm no longer sleeping and break out of sleep paralysis. I then notice cars, creaks in the house etc in real life. I lose my dream imagery and seem to be not going to sleep at all.

If I focus on my dream imagery I seem to just lose focus and allow thoughts to drift into my mind and just fall unconscious. So what do I do to bypass each, just focus on my breathing or what? I'd like to know what everyone elses experiences with this are. Sorry for the long post!

(You don't have to read this part, but you can If you want to)
I've gotten up the the stage where I could enter my dream. For me it felt like this: I felt like I was descending into a pool of water. I felt the water slide up over my body. I was vaguely aware of the water being my dreams. I was so close. I almost had it in my grasp but was snatched away by a false awakening. Thats about as far as I've gotten.