14 Work Bag Essentials – Everything you Need to Pack to have a Productive Day
This blog post is about the work bag essentials.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!You don’t need a million things in your work bag, but you need the essentials to have a productive day. Whether you are going into the office, to a meeting, or going to a coffee shop as a remote employee, you need this work bag essentials list.
I work a hybrid schedule so it never really feels like I have a home office to keep all my things. I also share an office space with my husband so I can’t even call that a home office. Because I am always on the go for work, I am an expert in what need to be packed in a work bag for a successful day in office, at home, or at your local coffee shop.
This post is about the work bag essentials.
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It all starts with a Good Work Bag
In my personal experience, I have used both a tote bag and a backpack. One is not better than the other, it truly is personal preference and your commute lifestyle.
Tote Work Bag
Work Backpack
Here are the 14 Work Bag Essentials:
1. Laptop
Most likely, if you have an average 9-5 corporate job, you have a laptop/computer that you work on everyday. Obviously, this is where the magic happens and needs to be in the bag at all times. Ensure you have a work bag with laptop sleeve when purchasing a bag.
If you work from home or have your own technology like a tablet or something, obviously that works too.
You would be surprised at how many times I have almost left my computer on my home desk or on the kitchen counter before heading to the office.
2. Laptop Charger
Why do corporate laptops die so quickly??? Pack it a charger in your laptop work bag.
Don’t be stuck in the coffee shop or office having to either leave or find someone to let you borrow the charger.
Wireless Mouse
A cord mouse is fine, that is usually the office standard or what they will provide when you first start your job.
I also find myself bringing this to all my meetings during the day. Whether it is a 1:1 with your boss, team meeting, or gathering on a project, it is easier to take notes or pull up presentations during the meeting with the wireless mouse.
3. Binder or Paper
Bringing a laptop to a meeting or trying to multitask during a virtual meeting is a pain, you want to always keep old fashion paper on your desk or in your bag to take a quick note or prepare for a discussion.
4. Pens & Highlighters
The best pens!!! These need to be in your home, car, and of course….your work bag.
Don’t go to a meeting without a pen and don’t go to the office without a pen. Unless you are a fully digital notetaker, keep a pen or more than one pen in your work bag.Also, you lose pens ALL THE TIME or someone borrows and you know you won’t get it back. So just do yourself a favor and keep an extra.
5. Airpods
Don’t leave the house without airpods. Better yet, don’t go to work without airpods.
Even if your work days are not meeting heavy, airpods are still great to have in your bag. You can listen to music, podcast, or an audible book while working.
6. Hand Sanitizer
We all know what happened in 2020. Pack this easy application hand sanitizer in your work bag.
Another travel, everyday essential that should be in every location of your life. It is good to have for the car, office, after an in person meeting, or being in a coffee shop.
7. Badge
Here is the best badge reel to keep on your belt or pants while in the office.
If you work in an office, you need your badge strapped to you at all times most likely.
8. Chapstick
The girls who get it, get it.
A chapstick is in your car, nightstand, purse, kitchen, all the places. Why should your work bag be any different?
9. Wallet
This may seem like a dumb item to list but I am always forgetting my wallet at home. You are tired of carrying around a work bag purse on top of a laptop or tote work bag. Just having the wallet , makes it so much easier!
Vending machine afternoon snack, morning coffee, or need to buy lunch…..you will need your wallet. A wallet keychain is a game changer for in office days, you will never leave the house without your wallet or keys (add your badge too!!)
10. Snack
Don’t laugh, you know you need snacks at the office to keep you focused.
Crackers, meat sticks, or granola bars are the perfect 3pm slump snack. Being a corporate girl on the go, you never know when you are going to need a little pick me up.
11. Stainless Steel Water Bottle
Purchasing a 40oz water bottle is the reason you will get your water intake every day.
This stainless steel water bottle comes is made to go anywhere with you. The quality handle allows you to bring it from the car to the office, from your desk to a meeting, or on an afternoon walk for some fresh sunlight.
This water bottle seals, it won’t spill in your work bag! Ensure you have a work bag with wattle bottle holder to fit.
12. Tampons (in a work bag for women)
Sorry boys, but this needs to be here. Ladies, if you know you know, tampons are in a mini bag in the work bag at all times because you always want to be prepared.
tip when packing your work bag: have a mini cosmetic case in your bag for the items you don’t want seen by coworkers.
You never want to be stuck at the office and not have the products you need, or worse….having to tell your male boss that you have to leave for a “personal reason”.
13. Hair Brush
This mini hair brush is perfect to throw in your bag for a quick morning brush!
My walk from the parking garage to the building in the summer is brutally to my freshly brushed hair.
14. Mini Perfume
The BEST smelling perfume on the market and the mini size is perfect to throw in your work bag.
I have this is the large bottle in my bathroom and the mini’s in every bag I own.
A quick spritz after lunch or after a afternoon walk is all you need to feel and smell refreshed.
& those are the work bag essentials.
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