Seems like often when I'm working on a new project I will try to remember the details of a previous project. I never remember the details very well, they are kind of like a foggy hazy twilight zone in the back of my mine. I'm getting old and have too much data stored, retrieval is difficult.
Last week when the kids were purchasing back to school supplies I purchased a spiral notebook intending to record details of my shop projects. When I got home I set down and wrote two pages of notes about a large built-in cabinet I was just finishing. I recorded the materials used, brief description of the construction process, the finishing materials used, with HVLP settings, air pressure, Ford cup times for primer & paint, drying time of finishing materials, model number, prices and vendors of hardware used, etc.
I placed the notebook in my shop file cabinet hoping that I will be disciplined enough to pull it out and record details on each future project. Hopefully after recording a year or so worth of projects I can pull out the notebook and find the model number and vendor of a certain hinge that I want to use again.