The biggest factor in dream recall is simply wanting to know. If we think of dreams as a source of knowledge that has never been tapped before, that is essentially the [fascinating] truth.

Recalling dreams rests mainly on the decision to accept, rather than censor, this aspect of reality. Dreams are a dialogue between the dreamer and ...Something. But if a voice speaks directly to you, and you have been conditioned to ignore and devalue its existence, eventually you cannot hear it. In this frame of mind, many people complain that they cannot recall their dreams. We must cut through our social conditioning, and approach dreams with original, open perspectives.

Once we have de-conditioned our minds to embrace our dreams, apply these proven tips:

1.) Tune out the minutia of the day, right before bed. The silence that comes, "stillness", is actually an emotional state. Find and keep it.

2.) Introduce a little conditioning of your own. Your aim is to value dreams, not relegate them to less than they are. Tell yourself "I am going to remember this dream" before going to bed and expect to. This makes it very likely that you will recall your dream.

3.) See your worries and questions from a neutral position. Instead of asking why doesn't my wife support me?, ask how can I have a better relationship with my wife?. Try to stand outside your normal perspective, and you stand outside your limitations and censorship as well. See how it sharpens your dream recall.

4.) Keep a dream journal and pen by your bed. If you awaken in the middle of the night, without turning the light on write a few words about the dream and go back to sleep. In the morning, stay relaxed for a few minutes and let your thoughts "wander back". Some images from your dreams should distill to the surface, with time.

Do not "try to remember", as if recalling a normal memory. This application is too harsh on dreams, and counter-productive. It in fact expels one from the subconscious.

5.) Dreams are sharper and prove more vivid, when we assign them a role in our overall belief system. Consider how dreams play into the lights that already guide you, and you will notice better recall of the content. (Even unbelievers and skeptics achieve better dream recall, by simply setting out to prove dreams are utter nonsense.)

6.) New events (or rather the emotional reactions caused by events) in waking life spawn new dream material. If your dream content begins to plateau, do what you fear to do, accept what you fear and deny, and a new chapter of dream content will open up for you to explore. 

Dream messages tend to repeat themselves until the issue is dealt with, so if you cannot recall your dreams immediately do not lament that your opportunity was lost. Give it time and before long (7-8 days) you will recall your dreams more easily.