How to Use Those Awkward 3 Minutes Before a Zoom Call
By this point, most of us have become very familiar with the purgatory that is the Zoom waiting room. “The host will let you in soon” flashes across my screen multiple times a week.
It’s not a surprise that the increase in remote work, while it has many benefits, also contributes to isolation and workplace silos. A 2-year remote work study conducted by Stanford found that while remote work increases productivity equivalent to a full day’s work, it also comes with a significant downside. A considerable number of subjects in the remote working control group asked to return to the office. Their main reason? Loneliness.
When I worked in an office, I could wander over to the conference room for a meeting a few minutes early. A few other team members would usually be there, too, and we'd catch up about the weekend or make lunch plans. Or, maybe I'd stop by a coworker’s office on the way to run an idea by her. Now, that element of casual connection is gone in the vacuum of zoom meetings. Unless it’s part of a company’s intentional practice to engage in small talk or ice breakers before a meeting, the tyranny of the urgent drives the agenda, pushing out those much-needed moments to foster connection.
For those working from home, the silence of the zoom waiting room and the sight of your reflection on that blank white screen can compound the feeling of isolation.
What do you do with those moments? It’s too late to start something new. Not really enough time to make a fresh Nespresso or draft a new email. The host could open the meeting room at any moment.
Too often, I've gotten distracted starting a new task while I wait, and inevitably, I end up being late or unprepared for the meeting I was supposed to attend. So, I’ve started a novel practice—waiting.
Can I be honest? Those three minutes feel like an eternity. These days, as a working mom, it's rare that I sit still for one minute, let alone three. I've become a master at multitasking, squeezing tasks into tiny cracks in the day. I register my oldest for soccer while stopped at a red light, order groceries in the Uber on the way home from a trip, fold laundry while catching up on my favorite podcast, and respond to emails on the treadmill at the gym.
A never-ending to-do list looms constantly. But, the three minutes before a zoom call has become a sacred space, a forced margin that has turned into purposeful time. Instead of getting frustrated by the wait, I decided to lean into it.
Here are a few ways I’m making use of those 3 minutes and how you can too:
1. Breathe. I’ve never forgotten when my counselor pointed out my shallow breathing. When I first started seeing her, I was waste-deep in a battle with anxiety, and my worry and stress had caged my breath way up at the top of my lungs. Unless I was engaged in a hard workout, I rarely took deep, restful breaths.
Today, “square breathing” has become a common practice for me. Square breathing is a yoga practice that involves inhaling for a count of four, holding your breath in for a count of four, exhaling for a count of four, and holding your breath out for a count of four. A lung-expanding inhale, and purposeful exhale can do wonders for your mental clarity, energy, and perspective. Why not use the three minutes before a zoom meeting to recenter, breathe deeply, and show up for others like a breath of fresh air?
2. Pray. Speaking of breathing, I love the practice of breath prayers. A breath prayer is a short, non-fancy prayer for the moment. Since faith is important to me, my days are usually filled with them. “God, please give me patience," or the words of Psalm 46:10, "Be still and know that I am God," are two that are constantly on repeat.
Early in my career, I had a bully at the office. She tore me down often and made my job miserable. Even though I had voiced concerns to my superiors, I was still in situations where I worked with her frequently. I was growing resentful toward her and needed a way to shift my perspective. A friend suggested I arrive at the office a few minutes early so I could walk by her desk and pray for her. A bit begrudgingly, I tried it. And I was surprised by the outcome. While it didn't change her actions, it shifted my perspective and rid me of bitterness and unforgiveness. Sometimes thinking about how the other person might be hurting can help cultivate the grace required to work with them in harmony.
The quiet, captive minutes before a zoom call might be the perfect place for a quick, breath prayer. Maybe you pray for your coworkers (especially if you are meeting with someone who gets on your nerves.) Perhaps you ask God to bless your upcoming meeting and guide your decisions.
3. Practice gratitude. – The benefits of gratitude cannot be overstated. The Bible calls us to it (1 Thess. 5:18), and the Mayo Clinic says it can dramatically improve our mental and physical health. What if you spent those three minutes thanking God for your job or the benefits of a WFH schedule? What if you listed what you enjoy about your coworkers or role? Maybe you simply look at your reflection on that white screen and thank God for your health or that you had time to shower that morning. What can you rejoice in? What is something you are looking forward to in the coming days?
At the risk of being overly eschatological, what if you let those seven little words "the Host will let you in soon" remind you of our hope in Christ? Because of Jesus’ work on the cross, one day soon, the Heavenly Hosts in heaven will fling wide the doors that lead to an eternal existence with God himself! One day, the afflictions of this world – workplace bullies, loneliness in remote work, and even the annoyance of hosts who are late to zoom meetings – will no longer exist. That's undoubtedly something to rejoice in!
At the very least, whether you breathe, pray, or practice gratitude, we can make the most of those three awkward minutes before a zoom call.
After all, we won't be waiting forever. Take heart, sister; the hosts will let you in soon.
Morgan Eseke is a strategic marketer, writer, and bible teacher. She is passionate about helping others experience a deep, meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ.
Vocationally, she brings her experience in management consulting and ministry leadership to help her clients craft effective communications strategies. Morgan is an active member of Ambassadors Club in Dallas, serves on the board of Women’s Nonprofit Alliance, and teaches regularly for the women at her church.
Morgan earned a masters in Christian Leadership from Dallas Theological Seminary and a bachelors in communications from the University of Oklahoma.
Morgan lives in Dallas with her husband David and their two young daughters. When she is not studying, strategizing, or speaking, Morgan spends her days playing pretend and playdoh or riding the Peloton bike (during nap time, of course.)