Carry these items to help you be more productive!

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What does a manager of a small creative team need to carry? A bunch of things! I’ll break it down for you in this post.

I like to feel prepared, maybe it’s the boy scout in me.

I feel there is a minimum amount of gear I want to carry around to help me be me productive. I also don’t want to carry around too much. I want my bases covered but I don’t want to go overboard.

I do feel it’s important to at least show up with a pen and a piece of paper. I see it all the time, people in meetings not taking notes and having to borrow a pen and paper.

I’ve tried a number of different tools and right now this what I carry around:

Holds all:

Timbuk2 Commute – This bag carries all my gear and does it quite well. It has a zip open compartment that can fit my iPad and also a laptop. I also have the Timbuk2 3 Way Case that holds my phone and ear buds.
Tom Bihn Ballistic Mesh Organizer Pouch – This bag carries all my cable and chargers for all my devices.

Devices:

iPhone 6 and Apple earbuds.
iPad Air with smart cover.
EC Technology Portable folding Keyboard When I’m writing on the iPAd I find an external keyboard to be very handy. I like it mostly because I don’t like giving up screen space to the virtual keyboard.

Paper:

Moleskine Evernote Smart Notebook – I have Pen Quiver attached to carry a pen.
Poly File Folders – I prefer poly file folders to the regular manilla folders. They hold up very well and look nicer longer. I always have at least one folder for carrying documents to and from work. And I might have other project specific folders with me.
Action Method Products – I use the action book, action pads and my Arc Notebook. One of these will be in my bag. I also have an action runner in my bag. Click here to read about how I use action method products. Also I have a post on how I setup my Arc Notebook from Staples with the Action Method Circa refills.

Writing:

Prismacolor Premier Fine Lene Markers – I carry an assortment of these pens in different colors and tip sizes.
Evernote Jot Script Stylus – It’s one of the most precise stylus’ out these.
Zebra Stainless Steel Highlighter – A highlighter can be so useful in a meeting.

Misc:

4″ Triangle 30/60/90 Sometimes I need to draw straight lines.
6″ Architects Scale To measure plans with.
Altoids Arctic Mints – Having fresh breath could be a game changer.
USB flashdrive – Having 8MB’s of instant disk space is very handy.
Hydro Flask 24 oz Narrow Mouth – I love this water bottle. Drinks stay cold for a long time and it’s easy to drink from because of the narrow mouth. Plus the Kleen Kanteen Sport Cap fits it perfectly.
Plantronics BackBeat Go 2 – Wireless earbuds and charging case.
Business card holder.
Small first aid kit – A few bandaids and advil.

You have to find what rights for you. I’d say for me to stay productive this is the minimum I would carry with me. It’s a pretty easy load to handle and it’s well organized for easy access.

You need to find the right balance to keep you prepared for life but not have it become a burden to your shoulder.

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It may seem like a lot of stuff to carry but I find it covers all my bases. I’m ready for what I need to do whether it’s a sketch in my moleskin, taking meeting notes or measuring a plan.

Interested in what other people carry check out http://everydaycarry.com/

Let me know what you carry on Twitter. 