Do i need to keep record of every dream from the previous night?

To be as successful as possible, yes. Don't get bogged down on small details, but focus on key elements.

when i do my reality checks when walking through a door, into my car, and glance at my phone does that mean when i do this is my dream i should say to myself "reality check, am i dreaming?" then i will be aware of my dream state and go from there?

Yup. And really mean it - don't just make it a habit. I'm amazed at how often I miss being in a dream because of the lazy streak in me thinking 'of course its not a dream'.

while sleeping does it help to continuously say in my head "i will have a lucid dream tonight, i will be aware of my dream state"

Yup, mantras help. You can change the wording as you wish. I usually say "I am in bed dreaming. Reality check."