To really learn the notes on your guitar

I have sometimes thought about the resemblance between learning to play sheet music on the guitar and to learn math. It is easy in both disciplines to foul oneself by learning things by heart only and not really have the knowledge of what's going on!

To really learn the notes on your guitar i think that you can do at least these two things as you practice new pieces:

1. Take a minute or two to practice some notes on the guitar fretboard. For example, learn to find the note E on all strings on your guitar.
2. Before you start to practice a piece of sheet music on your guitar, take time to look at the music without your guitar, practice the rhythms involved and see if you can name all notes and if you in your head can see where to play them on your guitar!