Your Workplace Survival Kit

If your life gets as fast paced as mine seems to, you have likely gone to work without performing one of the essential morning acts, like brushing your teeth or putting on deodorant. I have done one or another of these many times, and since it takes me 20 minutes to get to my office, it's not feasible to drive all the way home to finish getting myself ready for work.

Sometimes, when you realize you forgot to brush your teeth, you have a giant stain on your shirt, or you cut your finger and now it is bleeding profusely - sometimes, you have enough time to stop at a gas station or convenience store to pick up the essential supplies.

Other times, you are already 20 minutes late and your gas tank barely has enough gas left to make to the office, let alone to make a special trip. And if this is the day you may get a big promotion or have a major business meeting, it is not the day you want to be noticed for halitosis or body odor.

My solution is to pack and store a workplace survival kit. Below you will find some of my recommendations for this kit. Feel free to add or take away as you see fit, but definitely create something - trust me, you'll be happy you did.

Workplace Survival Kit: Bandages

If you work in front of a computer, you may wonder how you could possibly injure yourself badly enough to need a bandage, but it can happen very easily. Desks often come with some wear and tear in the form of sharp edges that are easy to get snagged on. You could cut your finger with the scissors, stab it with the stapler, or snag it on the tape dispenser. Whatever the injury, you'll be happy if you have some extra bandages around.

Workplace Survival Kit: Ointment

To clean your wounds before you bandage them, you should keep a handy tube of ointment at your desk.

Workplace Survival Kit: Toothbrush and Toothpaste

Many people mistakenly believe that if they don't eat onions or garlic for lunch, they will have magically smelling breath throughout entire day. This is just unlikely. Keep a mini toothbrush and toothpaste in your desk drawer for an after lunch freshen up. Even if you don't have bad breath, brushing your teeth an extra time is a positive thing.

Workplace Survival Kit: Gum

Gum serves several purposes. It can make your breath smell better, provide you something to chew on when you're hungry and craving a Twinkie, and allow your jaw some much-needed exercise when you would rather scream at your boss. Get the sugar-free kind to avoid adding extra sugar to your diet.

Workplace Survival Kit: Deodorant

No want likes a stinky co-worker. Keep some deodorant handy and you will make your entire office happy.

Workplace Survival Kit: Lint Brush

It's amazing how quickly lint, hair, and other particles attach themselves to your clothes when you least expect it. Keep a lint brush handy to quickly remove all of the unnecessary attachments to your nicely pressed work clothes. If you don't want to buy a lint brush, you can easily substitute Scotch tape.

Workplace Survival Kit: Stain Remover

It is inevitable. The one time you need to make a good impression, you will end up spilling chili down your white shirt or blouse. It doesn't have to ruin your day. Keep some kind of stain remover, like a Tide to Go, in your desk, purse, or laptop bag to avoid this mess.

Workplace Survival Kit: Long-sleeved Shirt or Jacket

Most office buildings get cold at some point, whether it's before the heat has been turned on for the winter or on the random freezing cold day in the middle of the summer. Keep a long-sleeved shirt or jacket hanging on a nearby coat rack or thrown over your chair so you never have to shiver your way through the work day.

Workplace Survival Kit: Pants

Now, this one probably sounds strange, but it does serve its unique purpose. I have snagged my dress pants so badly before that I barely had anything covering my rear end. In an office environment, this situation is not only embarrassing, but also inappropriate. It's never a bad idea to keep an extra pair of pants around just in case yours get ripped. (The extra jacket listed above could also be tied around your waste to cover any rips in the pants.)

Workplace Survival Kit: Panty Hose

If you wear them, you should always keep an extra pair handy. I try to be careful and delicate when I wear them, but I always end up getting a snag before the day is over. Consequently, this is one reason why I keep it simple and normally wear slacks to the office.

Workplace Survival Kit: Flask

There are times when even non-drinkers probably would like a drink. I'd imagine the moments of dealing with an irritating boss, co-worker, client, or project could bring it out in most people. The suggestion to keep a flask around is a joke...kind of. You never know. It just may come in handy.

As you can see, you can easily build a workplace survival kit that will save you from embarrassing and painful moments at the office. Additionally, none of these items is very expensive, so it is easy to start and maintain your workplace survival kit.