Welcome to the Interrupt Economy

Ever feel like your phone is a needy toddler constantly tugging at your pant leg —vibrating, beeping, dinging. In some ways, it’s worse than a toddler because, eventually, the toddler will take a nap.

Maybe you’ve been mid-conversation with someone when their phone vibrates. They kindly keep talking, but their eyes glance down at the glowing screen. Your conversation is subtly hijacked. Your conversation partner is distracted and your patience is wearing thinner with each successive vibration.

Welcome to the “interrupt economy,” where our attention is the most valuable, yet exploited, currency.

This constant barrage of interruptions doesn’t just affect conversations; it takes a toll on mental health and well-being. Each ping or buzz triggers a tiny spike of stress, a signal to our brain that something needs our immediate attention. Over time, this leads to what psychologists call “hyper-vigilance,” a state of being perpetually on edge, even when there’s nothing urgent happening.

Studies show that frequent interruptions can increase anxiety, impair focus, and even erode the quality of our relationships. After all, how deeply can we connect with someone when part of our mind is on what’s lighting up on the table? Furthermore, the dopamine-driven feedback loop of checking notifications can lead to addictive behaviors, keeping us tethered to our devices at the expense of downtime, creativity, and peace of mind.

But just like putting a toddler down for a nap, we can give our phones a break too. Major manufacturers have been "nice enough" to build features like “Do Not Disturb,” “Driving ,” and even the aptly named “Sleep.” These modes, when used intentionally, allow us to reclaim moments of stillness and focus on what we're doing, whatever that happens to be.

But beyond the settings, it’s about shifting our mindset. By viewing our attention as a limited and precious resource, we can make deliberate choices to nurture and protect it. Just like we work to protect and nurture our financial assets.

The mechanics of the fix are easy. Put your phone away when you want to focus on something. The hard part is getting your brain to cooperate. You have to teach yourself that most information coming through via push notifications can wait. This will take practice and patience, but the benefits to your happiness could be material.