Staying Alert on Long Calls When Working From Home
Updated September 2026: in 2018 I described a morning when I woke late for an office call, burnt my coffee while sending a meeting number, and then sat through a long call where my scope came up while I was reading mail. I have rewritten it into advice on handling long calls working from home.
I woke late, just in time for an office call. I rushed to make coffee, and while the milk was boiling a delivery contact messaged asking for the meeting number. I logged in on my phone, copied it and sent it, and by then the milk had boiled over and I was five minutes late. The coffee was the worst I had tasted. The call went on for a long time with topics that did not involve me, so I was checking my mail. Suddenly someone started discussing my scope, and I had no idea what had been said.
Why do long calls lose people?
Because most of the discussion is not relevant to each person on it. Attention drifts to mail, and the one moment that matters is missed.
How do you stay ready on a long call?
- Ask for the agenda: and note when your part is expected.
- Keep a notes window open: jot the topic every few minutes, so you can catch up.
- Turn off mail notifications: for the length of the call.
- Ask for a recap if you miss something: "Could you repeat the scope question for me?" is better than guessing.
How do you start a work-from-home morning well?
Join five minutes early, with meeting links already in your calendar invite so no one needs to ask for them. Make breakfast before the first call, not during it.
Should you suggest shorter calls?
Yes, politely. Proposing that each team joins only for its part, or that the call has a clear agenda, saves everyone time. Organisers often welcome it.
What did the burnt coffee teach me?
That the day goes better when the first call is prepared the evening before. A calm start makes it easier to stay alert when your topic finally comes up.