There’s no worse feeling in the world than being unprepared. With that being said, you no longer have to approach your workday the same way you did in the past. There are a number of different things you can do to become better prepared at work. We’re not talking about just packing a lunch or making sure that your travel mug is clean and ready for coffee in the morning. Our list of preparations are a bit different but certainly helpful. After all, you spend so much time in the workplace, don’t you want to have the things that you need when you need them? Here are ten tips that will help you approach any given day with gusto:
1. Carry a spare set of clothing with you in your vehicle or, if you travel by public transportation, keep extra apparel in a backpack or gym bag tucked neatly under your desk. Accidents happen and the last thing you want to do is spend the day in a coffee-soaked shirt. Having a spare set of clothes with you makes it easy to change before leaving the workplace as well. You can go straight to the gym after work or have a nice dinner with your spouse without wearing the clothes you spent all day working in.
2. Always have extra food stashed away in your desk for those days where you can’t leave the office or your car won’t start. There will be a time where you wish you would have brought lunch from home and you didn’t. Keep a variety of shelf stable foods in your desk that you can eat out of the package or heat in the microwave. This will prevent hunger and frustration as your lunch hour gets cut short.
3. Create a Bug Out Bag in the even that a natural disaster occurs. In the event that an emergency occurs, you’re going to want to have certain items on you in case you have to “bug out”. A Bug Out Bag holds all the essentials needed to survive. Each person’s needs are different so keep that in mind when personalizing your own survival kit. Some example necessities include food, water, medications, a change of clothing, waterproof matches, a solar-powered hand crank radio, flashlight, and cell phone charger, a first aid kit, water purification tablets, and plastic garbage bags.
4. Purchase at least one additional cell phone charger to keep at work at all times. How many times have you forgotten your charger at home? What have you done to charge your phone’s dead battery? Have you had to borrow a colleague’s charger just to have a fully charged cell? Leave a charger in your desk drawer or locker that is specifically designated for work. All you have to do is ensure that it’s there is to put it away before going home for the day.
5. Keep a hard copy of all your phone’s contacts in the event your cell goes missing or gets dropped in a toilet or bucket of water. The last thing you want to do is spend several days tracking down all of your relatives, friends, colleagues, and neighbors’ contact information. Keep a hard copy of all the important phone numbers you need so you can easily switch them over to your new phone if necessary.
6. A roll of quarters in your desk can save you in a pinch. How many times have you’ve forgotten your purse or wallet at home? Rather than be completely helpless when a representative from the workplace comes by to collect your portion of a farewell gift or your contribution to the office lottery ticket, you’ll be prepared. You may look funny paying them in quarters but at least you won’t be penniless and avoiding eye contact with your colleagues all day.
7. A second set of keys kept in a locked drawer can save you hours of stress. If you’ve ever locked your keys in the car only to find out the engine is still running, then you know the importance of having a spare set on hand to easily access your vehicle. Keep a set of keys in a secured drawer or locker for safekeeping.
8. Purchase an electronic pill holders to remind you to take your medication at a certain hour. When you’ve got a full schedule ahead of you, it becomes increasingly difficult to remember to take your pills. Purchase an electronic pill minder and set it up so it reminds you to take your medication per doctor’s recommendations. You can carry the holder in your purse or bag easily.
9. If you wear glasses or contacts, make sure that you have an extra pair of each with you at all times. If you need corrective lenses to be able to see to do your job, you know how jarring it can be to break your glasses or lose a contact lens during your work day. Keep a small eyeglass repair kit at work to make quick fixes and keep extra glasses, contacts, contact cases, and solutions in a secure location so you can get to them easily.
10. Know CPR and encourage your colleagues to be CPR-certified as well. If there is a medical emergency at or around your workplace, you’ll want to pitch in. On the other hand, if you are suffering from a medical condition, you’ll want the people around you to feel comfortable administering CPR. This is one area of preparation that many people overlook but it could potentially be the most important item on this list. A little preparation goes a long way in making your work day go more smoothly. By following the tips listed above, you gain a better understanding of how things flow and the things that are standing in the way of you being productive. You can use your newly found knowledge to restructure your day and be prepared for whatever life and your boss has to throw at you.