God knows how many things a man misses by becoming smug and assuming that matters will take their own course.
I don't write down my experiences, but I have a very decent memory. I have tons of books in which I write down phrases as they occur to me. That's how I write songs. I'll need a line and I'll go through the books and find it, the right rhyme and everything.
Trust and belief are two prime considerations. You must not allow yourself to be opinionated.