We spend more daytime hours at work than we do at home.  You can’t take the all of life’s necessities with you, but having the essentials on standby make for a more productive and efficient work day.

1. Cough drops - Not only should they be in your desk drawer, you should have them in your pockets. Although empathy is on your side in the case of a coughing fit, nobody wants you to set a world record for coughing interruptions while they are trying to rock a presentation they've poured their heart and soul into.
2. Mini umbrella - Haven't had time to follow the weather because you've got the corporate world to take over? Have no fear, the umbrella in your drawer will have you looking prepared.  Confidently dodge puddles during the walk to the train station and stay dry. Tip, don't forget to bring the umbrella back the next day.
3. Sewing kit - peek a boo the buttons in your shirt could use another button or two. Fear not, grab a safety pin and keep Vicky a secret. Hem coming undone, no worries. Safety pin it and get through the day looking pulled together.
4. Travel sized first aid kit with pain relief meds - paper cuts happens and so do headaches. Be prepared and don't get caught off guard. You need to be at full strength to slay it at your 10 o’clock meeting.
5. Chocolate or your snacking vice - chocolate is the elixir that fixes just about any workplace drama that erupts. Before you fight fire with fire, indulge in your snacking vice.  Take a deep breathe and take the high road. As Michelle so eloquently said, “when they go low, we go high.”
6. A box of plastic cutlery or a set of the real deal - don't be the office lunchtime mooch.  Get a box and keep it stacked. Play office hero at times and save the day with a spoon for your office pal who desperately needs protein in the form of a Greek yogurt.