Extensive organization is critical to successful dissertation work. At some point in your research, you will have the experience of recalling a critical quote or bit of information that you would like to use and being unable to find its source. Everything in a dissertation must include footnotes and support; if you can't find the source of a piece of information, it is useless to you. Keep close records of your reading, organize your notes and cross-reference them in indexes based on title, author and subject. Using sticky notes or color-coded adhesive bookmarks, mark everything that might be of significance so that you can see the mark without opening the book. This one habit will save you hours and hours of paging through books that you have already read.
Dissertation work can be alienating, isolating and fairly unhealthy. It requires many hours of sitting alone and motionless, staring at a book or computer screen. Maintain your physical and mental health by disciplining yourself to maintain good habits from the beginning. This is not only for your own good, it is critical to completing the dissertation. Many Ph.D. candidates become discouraged, depressed or actually ill and never complete their dissertations. Get physical exercise by walking, biking or running every day. Consider joining a group such as a martial arts club to increase your social contacts and physical activity. Eat well, and read for pleasure outside of your research work. If you remain organized and do your research efficiently, you will have time to do all of these things.
Ph.D. advisers are academics and, by definition, are very busy people. Go into this pursuit realizing that their main priority is their own research, no matter what they may say to you. This doesn't mean that they are bad advisers or bad people, but it does mean that you need to be assertive about your needs and expectations of them. At the very beginning, politely and respectfully clarify with your adviser how often you will be meeting, how frequently she will be reviewing your work and what your schedule of completion is. If you fail to do this, you will begin to sink on your adviser's list of priorities, and you will not get everything you need from her. Remember, guidance of your dissertation is part of your adviser's job. She is not doing you favors by helping you. Be (politely) assertive, and never doubt your right to be where you are and to get what you need from your adviser and your university.