6 Workplace Essentials You Won’t Find In The Supply Closet

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We all know that when you are working in an office there are certain supplies that you will always need: tape, pencils, notebooks, etc. But what about the things that don’t seem so necessary? The things you don’t really think about until you desperately need them? You’re in luck. I’m here to share with you six things that you should always keep at your desk in case of emergency.

1 | Shoes.

I know you might be rolling your eyes at the screen right now, but listen up. Say you wore your super uncomfortable shoes to work because they make your legs look a mile long and you plan on sitting all day. But then the day ends and all of your coworkers want to go to happy hour at that bar that you know you’ll never get a seat at. Have a pair of comfy shoes stashed in a drawer and you’re set. But don’t only keep those shoes there, you need to be prepared for everything. Say you wore your sandals to work because you don’t have anything important scheduled and no one will see your feet. But then, your boss calls an important meeting with a VIP client and you kind of look like a slob! Keep a pair of neutral colored heels or flats on-hand  and you’re good to go.

2 | Hairspray or your favorite hair product.

Remember that happy hour your colleagues invited you to? Or maybe your boss surprised you with a business dinner? You might want to freshen up a bit. Keeping your favorite bottle of hairspray or other hair product in your desk is a quick fix to making you look clean and put together, even though you’ve been up since 6AM and you forgot to shower last night. Don’t worry, I won’t tell.

3 | Nail polish.

Are you going to a work event? Maybe you’re about to meet some clients? You definitely haven’t had any time for a manicure in the last six months. I’m right there with you. There’s just something about a bit of color on someone’s nails that makes them look polished (pun intended). Keep a bottle in one in your desk and apply during your lunch break. They don’t have to look perfect, but it is a nice touch to have a little pop of color or even a business-like neutral. Plus, nail polish bottles are so small you won’t be wasting any valuable space!

4 | Tide-To-Go pen.

I cannot stress this enough. You will spill food or something else on yourself before an important meeting one day. It’s going to happen, it’s just part of life. Just make sure you’re prepared with a Tide-To-Go pen or some other kind of detergent that you can easily store.

5 | Snacks and gum.

More often than not, when the boss at my first job would call a staff meeting or have me take notes in a client meeting I was stuck there through lunch. Snacks become a lifesaver. I always keep cashews or peanuts nearby whether I miss lunch or need a 3PM pick-me-up. Be careful not to have any snacks that can have an obnoxious sound when you eat them, you don’t want to disturb (or piss off) your colleagues. Gum is also a must. You don’t want to walk around with bad smelling breath, especially if you’re going from meeting to meeting.

6 | Water bottle.

Your office might have glasses or they might have those tiny plastic cups near a water cooler. Whatever the situation may be, it’s always a good idea to have your own water bottle. That way, you don’t have to go refill it every two minutes (because, let’s be real, those plastic cups are too damn small) and you know that it is your own bottle. You don’t want to risk sharing a mug with someone who may have had the flu last week, do you? I don’t. It’s nice to have something that you can easily identify as your own so that no one else can use it.

 

What is your must-have item at your desk for emergencies?

Categories: Career & Finance, Career Advice, Millennials

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Hattie Weber
Hattie Weber is a senior editor at Badass + Living. A 2015 college graduate, Hattie is a Texan residing in New York City. Her life experiences – from being a traveler to a debutante to an office manager – have given her a great understanding of her fellow millennials. Hattie has been published in Thought Catalog's "More Than 20 Minutes Of Reading: Everything You Need To Read About The Brock Turner Case & Controversy." Her dedication to those she cares about and her unapologetic honesty are what make her a badass.

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