DAILY WORK ESSENTIALS

I try to be efficient while at the office and doing so requires some work essentials that keep me grinding away at all of the work in front of me daily. Below are some accessories I use while at my corporate job from 9-5 but they are also some things I use around the house when I'm not at work. These are all necessities in my life and I don't know what I'd do without them. Let's get to the list....

1. Apple Air Pods 2 - I didn't jump on quick with these guys but once I grabbed a pair I was hooked. I've always been a Bose guy when it comes to my over the ear headphones and while I had some Beats wireless earphones and loved them, I was ready for the Air Pods. And now since I've had them? Haven't used any other headphones! The Air Pods stay in my ears and even better is that I can pause my music on Spotify and even go to the next song all with the tap of my index finger on the left and right earbuds. Another game changer? The case is a charger! If you don't already have Air Pods you're sleeping. The AirPods Pro actually just got released too so fork over the cash and step your game up!

2. Vivo Adjustable Stand Up Desk Converter - I was having shoulder, back and neck pain and thought it was just a sign of old age. I worked long hours and figured this was normal for somebody in their late 30's. Luckily one of my childhood friends is a Chiropractor so I reached out to him so he could run some x-rays on me. He quickly saw that I had developed a hunch at work working long hours in a computer chair with poor posture which contributed to my muscle pain. He suggested I try a stand up desk and even wrote a letter that I could pass along to my boss. My company gave me the thumbs up and I picked up a budget friendly stand up desk converter. I've now had it for over a year and am happy to report that my posture is improved and my pain has subsided. So if you're working long hours and having some pain, ask your boss if you can pick up one of these. Worth every penny!

3. Hydroflask 40 oz Wide Mouth Water Bottle - Did you know that you're supposed to drink half of your body weight in water each day? So are you? I am! I fill up my 40 oz Hydroflask full of ice water and let that sit and stay frosty at my desk while I crunch numbers with good ole Excel spreadsheets. I snack a lot at work so it gives me a reason to take some big gulps out of my Hydroflask to stay hydrated. Are they expensive? Without a doubt! Are they worth it? Absolutely. Just be careful because a Hydroflask addiction can go pretty deep. Lots of cool sizes and colors that your wife is going to want!

4. Cyxus Blue Light Filter Computer Glasses - Have you ever counted the hours you spend with your eyes fixated on a screen? Just think about it.... Phone, TV, tablet, and computer. That is a lot of screen time! And the blue light emitted from these devices is not good for your eyes at all. I've been having some trouble sleeping lately and after doing some research, I found that the blue light from these screens can affect the quality of my sleep. That's not good at all! I read about ways to combat these harmful blue light emissions and quickly went to Amazon to pick up a pair of blue light filter computer glasses to wear at night and even during the day. Now, not only am I protecting my eyes but I can also be taken seriously on Skype calls and meetings with some dope bifocals on my face!

5. TriggerPoint Grid Foam Roller (13 inch) and SKLZ Massage Bar - I used to look at people rolling on foam rollers at the gym while thinking that they were ridiculous. What did they know that I didn't? Then I started to have some muscle pain and the physical therapist I was seeing told me about rolling out my muscles and using a massage stick. Those were both foreign wellness tools for me but I kept an open mind and gave them a whirl. Now it's about 5 years later and I haven't looked back! I've even picked up one of each for the office so that all of my coworkers can take a quick break and roll out their muscles. I hit the back roll at least once per day to get those one or two cracks needed to get my back feeling good again. Don't own a foam roller? They're not too pricey and you'll wish you would have purchased one way earlier! Don't wait any longer!

6. 2nd Childhood Insulated Lunch Bag and Stasher Reusable Silicone Food Bags - I've been trying to save money since I got married last year and one of the best ways to stash cash is by bringing lunch to work. A few days into my new routine and I noticed how many ziplock baggies and plastic grocery bags I was throwing away when I was done for the day. This wasn't eco-friendly at all so I had to make a change! I started bringing my lunch in a reusable roll top lunch bag and used some reusable silicone bags for snacks so I could be kind to our environment as well as my wallet. The 2nd Childhood lunch bag is spacious enough to fit all of my plastic food containers and healthy snacks which is key for me. There's even room for a water bottle on the side pockets while the back pocket can hold eating utensils and a napkin. 

7. Parker Jotter Ballpoint Pen - Do you have a favorite pen or do you just use whatever pens they supply you with at work in the supply cabinet? I was of the latter until one of my close friends gave me a Parker Jotter pen to try out. I was skeptical for sure but let me tell you something... This pen? Gold! It has a nice touch, look and a solid ink flow to boot. I haven't gone as far as clipping the pen to my shirt pocket but I make sure it's always in my backpack for quick access. Perfect for taking notes during meetings and for writing on the weekends. Don't sleep on having a nice pen in your arsenal!

8. Ogio Renegade RSS Backpack - I use a backpack to transport my laptop, power cord, notebooks, headphones and pens each day so I need something durable. I've tried several work backpacks over the years and the one that I love most is from Ogio. Ogio makes solid products and while they come with a premium price point, a backpack is worth the investment. I travel occasionally for work and need something that will hold up from city to city. This Renegade Backpack has held up amazingly well and I recommend it to anybody looking for a new bag. You won't be disappointed.  

9. Moleskin Classic Hard Cover Notebook, 5" x 8.25" - Back in my high school days I was never good at taking notes so instead I had to bug classmates for theirs. Yup, I was that guy. Nowadays, I keep my notebook glued to me as I work at my desk and head off to constant meetings at the office. My memory is shot but my notebook is always there to have my back when I need to check my notes. I need a notebook to be durable so having a hard cover is a must. The Moleskin notebook is a staple in my work life. If you're just using a random flimsy notepad it's time for a change. Try the Moleskin notebooks out. You won't look back!

10. YETI Rambler 14 oz Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Mug - Nothing better that to start your day with a cup of joe. Just like my moleskin, this Yeti Mug travels with me everywhere in the office. This mug is double-wall vacuum insulated so my coffee stays hot through all my meetings. And like the late John Witherspoon said, "The secret is you got to coordinate!" so of course I copped the same color as my Hydroflask. Gotta stay fresh!

What are your "must haves" while you're at work? I'd love to know because I'm always in the market to step up by work accessories game. Several of these I've listed were recommendations from friends so I love hearing suggestions from you!