Whether you go to work or school, when it comes to getting and staying organized, many of the same principles and productivity systems apply.

1. Get your beauty sleep. The people with the highest productivity are always those who catch their full forty winks each evening. Determine what time you have to wake up in the morning in order to arrive at work or school on time. Then, backtrack a minimum of 7-8 hours so you know what time you should be in bed, and sleeping.

** FUN FACT ** The first merchandise item to feature Mickey Mouse was a child's school tablet in 1929.

2. Cramming is crummy. If you're in school, perhaps you have to take a test in the morning. Or maybe you have to do an important client presentation tomorrow for work. No matter what, preparation is the key. Don't wait until the very last minute to begin getting ready for an important event. Instead, the second you learn of the event, make a list of everything you need to do and work on that list a little bit each day. This way, you'll do the best you possibly can when the important event date arrives.

** FUN FACT ** Margarethe Meyer Schurz started the first kindergarten in the United States in Watertown, Wisconsin in 1856. The children learned through arts and crafts, music and play.

3. Planning power. It doesn't matter if you're a student, or a high- level executive in a Fortune 500 company. You must, I repeat, you must use a planner--print or electronic, whatever works best for you. When you learn of a meeting, appointment, event or any other task, immediately jot it in your planner, and get it off your mind. Just remember to check your planner each and every day, so nothing is missed.

** FUN FACT ** Bruce Willis, Bette Midler, George Clooney, and John Ritter were all elected and served as the class presidents of their high school student councils.

4. Goals are golden. Set at least 3 goals each month, and you'll have a clear, manageable path to stay on throughout your school year or your work tenure. Be sure those goals are specific and measurable. A school goal may be to stay at a B average or above each semester. A work goal might be to convert 5 prospects to customers each month. Evaluate your results at the end of each month. Reward yourself for goals met. Don't beat yourself up for goals not met--just commit to reaching those goals the following month.

** FUN FACT ** In a National School Lunch Program survey, nearly 70 percent of American grade-school students surveyed said pizza was their favorite entree, corn their favorite vegetable, and cookies their favorite dessert.

5. Cut the clutter. In school, you're going to get inundated with notes, tests, school announcements, permission slips, report cards, reading material and more. In work, the same thing happens with memos, invoices, customer account files, mail and so on. Keep the paper under control by 1) weeding out the old and outdated every single day and 2) keeping the papers you do need to keep in one area such as a filing cabinet or a binder with pocket folders. Be sure folders are always clearly labeled.

** FUN FACT ** The world's first singing commercial aired on the radio on Christmas Eve, 1926 for Wheaties cereal. The four male singers, eventually known as the Wheaties Quartet, sang the jingle. The Wheaties Quartet, comprised of an undertaker, a bailiff, a printer, and a businessman, performed the song for the next six years, at $6 per singer per week. The commercials were a resounding success.

6. Fuel up. So many people think they can get more done by skipping breakfast or lunch. But how could you work if you have low energy, or a hunger headache? These important meals provide you with the energy you need so that you can produce the highest quality work. These two meals don't have to be difficult or time consuming. Breakfast can consist of a yogurt, some fresh fruit and some cereal. Lunch can consist of a tuna sandwich with an apple, or a veggie salad.

** FUN FACT ** Students in South Korea are expected to stay and help clean and tidy the classroom when lessons are over. The tasks include sweeping, vacuuming and taking out the trash.

7. Same place, same days, same time. When scheduling, consolidate similar activities for the same place, same day and same time. If you do so, you'll always know exactly what's expected of you each day. For instance, make all of your prospect follow-up phone calls in your office with the door closed, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, at 3:00PM. Or, do your homework in the library, Monday through Friday, from 4:00PM to 6:00PM.

** FUN FACT ** Americans spend twice as much each year for kids' athletic shoes as they do for kids' books.

8. Broccoli first, brownie second. When eating dinner, most people eat their broccoli way before they eat their brownie--in other words, they save the tastiest food for last, since they know it's the most luscious reward. Same goes for your work. Do the hardest, most grueling, least- loved work first. Then, do your easiest, more-likeable tasks last. Once the hard stuff is out of the way, the easier tasks and projects will be a breeze.

** FUN FACT ** The P.T.A., or the National Congress of Parents and Teachers, was founded in the United States in 1897. It was originally called the 'National Congress of Mothers,' but was expanded to include fathers, teachers, and other citizens.

9. Pound perfection. You can't dedicate 100 percent of your time and effort to 100 percent of the things in your life--you'll end up frustrated, tired and unfulfilled. Striving for perfection is an obstacle that prevents you from getting things done. It's rare that anything is going to be done perfectly. Instead, strive for excellence in everything you do. You'll end each day feeling good about yourself, and with more completed projects.

** TRIVIA ** The average pencil can be sharpened 17 times and write about 45,000 words or draw a line 35 miles long before it's out of service.

10. All work and no play makes Jack--exhausted! While you're going to be busy working on tasks and projects, being involved in activities, and running back and forth to meetings, classes or events, that's no excuse for not enjoying your life. Always make the time to do the things you love to do-- painting, having fun with friends, scrapbooking, going to the movies, etc. When you have both work (or school) and fun activities planned, you're living a balanced and full life--and isn't that what living is all about?

** TRIVIA ** One job that actor Brad Pitt held before he became famous was that of a costumed chicken for El Pollo Loco restaurant.

P.S. Find out how you can be Finally Organized, Finally Free!

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'Workaholics aren't heroes. They don't save the day, they just use it up. The real hero is home because she figured out a faster way.' (Jason Fried)

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