Cue Your Recovery from Interruptions

We have all been there: you are deep in the flow of a project, and an unannounced visitor walks in, shattering your focus. The danger isn't just the time you lose during the conversation; it’s the mental energy you waste trying to find your place afterwards. The secret to recovering that lost momentum isn't memory—it’s creating a "re-entry cue." Before you shift your attention to the person standing at your door, take ten seconds to "bookmark" your brain. Jot down the very last thought you had on a Post-It note or tap a quick phrase into your task manager.

Do not feel guilty about making them wait those few seconds. In fact, allowing you the time to secure your mental workspace is the least the interrupter owes you in exchange for their unannounced arrival. By claiming that moment to create a cue, you ensure that you can pick up exactly where you left off, preventing a temporary interruption from becoming a permanent drain on your day.

Developing a consistent "Interruption Habit"—a standard response you deploy every time the unexpected happens—is one of the healthiest things you can do for your career. When you consistently pause to bookmark your thoughts or enforce your boundaries, you are doing more than just saving your place; you are broadcasting a message. You are signaling to your team that while you value them, you also place a high premium on your own time and the quality of your output. This habit protects your focus on what matters most, and perhaps more importantly, it silently trains your ecosystem to respect the work you do. It turns a defensive reaction into a proactive statement: my time is valuable, and my work is worth protecting.