I started out keeping pretty detailed notes. I'd record what I was cooking, the weight, what sort of rub I used, time in the cooker, cooker temp, ambient temperature, humidity, general weather conditions, everything I did to the meat or the cooker and at what time, etc. etc. etc. It was fun, sorta. After a couple months of this, though, I realized that I never went back and studied my notes, but that my Q was improving nonetheless. It may be that writing stuff down helped me remember it better, and that contributed to my body of knowlegde. But the big mistaked I've made have been significant enough that they're easily remembered. I think the key is just to cook, cook, cook. Regardless of whether you're taking notes, you'll be paying attention, because you wouldn't be cooking if it weren't important to you. Eventually, you'll build that 'feel' for cooking and the body of knowledge that almost becomes second nature, and that's what you've got to have to be successful at anything. You'll be in the 'Q Zone.' And that's a good place to be!