I see some clearly important categories highlighted here, and some possible relationships. Is there any advice on the (crucial) IMO question of what kind of format makes these observations compound in usefulness? Do you try to record every one that come to mind? Do you periodically (even on a timer perhaps) switch to introspection mode? Do you review notes, categorize them, track progress? Obviously I'd like to hear from Morendil who claimed a lot of progress in the area, of course others' contributions are most welcome.