One implementation provides monitoring a user's activity within a first window that is visible to the user in a graphical user interface (GUI), receiving notification of an incoming message intended for the user, and, upon receipt, opening a second window that is visible to the user in the GUI, the second window being distinct from any other window currently open in the GUI. When a predetermined condition is satisfied based upon the user's activity being monitored in the first window, the implementation further provides deactivating the first window in the GUI and activating the second window to provide the user with notification of the incoming message.