---
title: The Cost of Interrupted Work
created: 2025-11-17T14:00:18
modified: 2025-11-17T14:00:27
---

#Newsletter

[@markCostInterruptedWork2008]

It takes the brain an average of 23 minutes and 15 seconds to refocus after a distraction / an interruption, a phenomenon known as the **“cognitive switching penalty”**.

This happens because when interrupted, the brain must re-establish context for the original task, which is a process that can take a significant amount of time.

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See also: [Maker’s Time v.s Manager’s Time](https://sketchplanations.com/manager-time-maker-time)