Must-Have Stuff to Keep in Your Desk Drawer

Other than your trusty pen, computer and cell phone, there are certain things that every Pinoy workhorse should never do without. Stock up on these things and make sure you keep them in those secret corners of your desk drawers. You never know when they'll come in handy:

Isopropyl alcohol or anti-bacterial gel
There are icky creatures that lurk in the workplace waiting to pounce on you and I don't mean those rude officemates of yours. No matter how often you wipe them, desks, cabinets and computer keyboards can get dirty. Keep a small bottle of alcohol or antibacterial gel around for times when you absolutely must kill, kill, kill the bad stuff that stick to your hands.

A good alternative: antiseptic wipes. They're handy, easy to use and dispose, although you'll be producing more waste. Best stick with the liquid type. They simply evaporate or get absorbed.

An extra roll of tissue
Some workplaces provide rolls of tissue for employees' use but bring a roll just in case. Tissues are excellent for wiping away dust, cookie crumbs, spilled coffee or blotting makeup. Great for writing notes as well, in case you run out of Post-Its.

A small mirror
If you only have 5 seconds to check yourself in a mirror, why bother fumbling for one in your bag? Keep a small, compact mirror in your middle desk drawer.

A pair of slippers or flip-flops
High heels killing you? If you'll be stuck at your desk all day, relieve yourself of those badly-fitting shoes and give your feet a break by slipping on a pair of flip-flops under the table.

Some unsolicited advice: don't walk around the office in your slippers. The workplace is not your house, so don't act like it is.

A coat
Some offices have airconditioning that seems to be powered by a gleeful ice demon. Temperatures in these places can get so low that people actually look pale, even bluish. If your office is killing you slowly this way, try to delay the process by bringing a nice coat. When temperatures start to go south, you can always throw your coat over your shoulder to ward away the cold.

Pain relief ointment
Bengay, like the more locally known Salonpas ointment, is great as a pain reliever. It's not a pain killer but on days when your hands, arms, knees, ankles, joints and muscles feel especially tired and knobby, there's a lot of relief that a pea-sized amount of this ointment can bring. It's like instant massage, except you don't spend more time rubbing away.

I recommend Bengay or Salonpas ointment, by the way, because these are two brands that I know of that don't have a distinct smell. Old standbys like Omega Painkiller, efficascent oils or even the newer herbal rubs tend to permeate the air. They make it known that there's someone at the office who feels like a grandpa or grandma way before their time.

Safety pins
Safety pins are incredibly flexible and useful. If there's anything at all that needs to be attached, joined, pinned, pricked, released or just simply pinned, there's a safety pin of every size to do the job.

Medications
Two or three tablets of your basic pain/fever/gastrointestal upset medication can come in handy. You'll thank yourself you have your own stash when things get too toxic at the office or if you ate too much at lunch time. You'll never know when you'll need them.

Your own personal bottle of correction fluid
You could borrow from a co-worker but why bother letting someone else know you made a mistake?

A sachet of single-serve coffee
Should the pantry run out (and it does!), you never have to go through a bad caffeine withdrawal.

A pack of cookies or crackers
Great to grab if you're hungry and can't get away from your desk.

A foldable umbrella
Rain or shine, you're protected.