Signaling when you're being productive or available for interruptions like a stoplight can help ... More teams. (Photo by Adrian Sherratt/Construction Photography/Avalon/Getty Images) Getty Images Work today is full of interruptions. The constant influx of emails, notifications, and questions from co-workers can slow individual progress and create a sense of frustration. After all, most people want to feel productive and work toward crossing off important goals from their to-do list.