Yes you should always keep a dream journal, if you do not your recall will go down the drain. You can do reality checks often but make sure that each time you do you are actually thinking about it. Think about your surroundings when you do, make sure that everything is as it should be. Being aware of your surroundings and expecting to have a lucid dream will probably get you one very quickly, and since you already have good recall you will most likely have a lucid dream very soon.