Hey everyone, great website you have here .
I've been wondering about dream recall as I've read that it should be the starting point of lucid dreaming. I understand why it's important and I would like to start developing my ability to recall my dreams.
I think I'm pretty weak at dream recall naturally, as I rarely remember any of my dreams.
I've been reading through the guide on this site and it sounds good to me.
I'm just a little confused about which method I should use.
I like the sound of the following technique:

To be able to eventually control your dreams you’re going to have to focus your intent on doing so. Therefore a better method of recalling your dreams is to focus your intent on remembering them before falling asleep, since this will prepare you for eventually attempting to control your dreams. You must be determined in your resolve and you should attempt to prevent extraneous thoughts from attenuating your intent. Verbally stating your desire to remember your dreams while falling asleep is the best way to accomplish this. It may sound silly but all you really need to do is talk yourself into remembering your dreams. Our minds are powerful instruments and even though it may seem that we lose control of them when we enter sleep, that's not entirely the case. Focus your intent to wake from your dreams and remember them just before you lie down, and continue to repeat your intent to yourself as you approach sleep. Repeat to yourself over and over, “I will wake from my dreams and completely remember them.” If you find your thoughts wandering as you slip into sleep, reaffirm your intent. You want your last thought before drifting off to sleep to be of your intent to awaken from your dreams and remember them.
But I'm a little confused... is this all I need to be doing along with keeping a journal? If I focus my intent on remembering my dreams should I be able to when I wake up or am I supposed to be doing something else along with it?
I'm aware that it will take a long time and I don't just expect it to happen overnight, but my main concern is whether or not I need to be doing something other than just trying to convince myself to remember my dreams prior to sleep.
Thanks in advance;
Zachariah.