5 Essentials to Keep in Your Work Bag
Do you scramble in the morning, looking for your keys and wallet and toiletries and other essentials? If so, it’s time to solve the problem with a simple solution — have your work bag all packed up and ready to go right at the door. You will be amazed by how this simple act can help make your life less complicated and less stressful. In this post, we’ll look at the top essentials to pack in your work bag or backpack.
A Couple of Nutritious Snacks
Whether you pack a lunch for work in a lunchbox, or you prefer eating out on your lunch hour, it’s always a good idea to have a couple of extra snacks that you can nibble on between meals if you get hungry. By having some healthful snack options — such as a piece of fruit, trail mix, or a granola bar — in your work bag, you can thwart any desire to go to the vending machine and order a bag of greasy chips or spend extra money on junk food.
A Refillable Water Bottle
Instead of springing for bottled water or being tempted to chug a can of soda or some other sugary beverage, pack a refillable water bottle in your work bag. This way, it will be easy for you to simply refill it throughout the day with the healthiest beverage choice there is: water. If you prefer adding a bit of flavor to your drink, infuse your water with fruit like a slice of lemon or opt for sparkling water. Another option is filling it up with a delicious iced tea, like hibiscus, something that is both remarkably easy and remarkably healthful. It’s also a fiscally smart idea to pack a travel mug or tumbler in your work bag or personalized backpack.
Office Essentials
Even though you can undoubtedly count on your place of work to supply such things as pens, paper, and other office products, it’s always a wise idea to have some backups in your work bag and/or a tote bag you keep in your car. If your work requires you to travel around town, then you’ll want to pack a few of these essentials: a pen, a notepad, your business cards, and even a spare set of professional but comfy shoes. You never know what situation you may find yourself in when you or a colleague or potential client could need a pen, or you might need to walk to a meeting. Having a notepad in your work bag allows you to jot down — and remember —important notes.
With business cards, you can quickly hand someone your contact information in a no-hassle manner. Sure, we live in the digital age when everyone can just swap phone numbers or look each other up on Google. But why go through the slightly more time-consuming process of exchanging names, professional titles, and phone numbers when you can just hand someone that little card with everything on it? In addition to these professional essentials, think about other things you may need in your purse or laptop bag to cater to your unique work situation.
Your Go-To Personal Hygiene Products
When you work a long day away from home, you don’t have access to all your toiletries and other personal hygiene products, but you can pack a few in your work bag. For instance, if you will be going straight from work to the gym, or you know you will be moving around a lot, pack a stick of deodorant, wet wipes, and body mist to give you a fresh feeling when you can’t get to the shower until later. Other key personal products to pack include lip balm and hand lotion, two essentials you will definitely want during the cold winter months when chapped lips and cracked hands abound. Additional items such as an extra women's face mask, breath mints or gum as well as a stain remover stick are also good things to keep on hand in your work bag. Makes sure you keep them in a cute toiletry bag to ensure they stay separate from your work items.
Cash
Although credit cards and other digital forms of payments have steadily replaced cash, it’s always smart to have a little cash on hand in case of an emergency. You never know when you may need it, and sometimes it’s just more convenient to deal in cash. Along with your ID, debit cards, and other valuables, pack your wallet with a few bills, even if it’s just $20. When you need it, you’ll be glad you have it on hand rather than having to stop at the ATM.
What do you keep in your work bag? With these essentials in your collection of day-to-day carry items, your work bag will be full and ready to add function to its stylish form.