Pressing the elevator button ten times doesn’t make it come faster. Neither does worrying.

Worry impersonates action, because it uses the same energy and produces a similar sense of effort. The difference is that one of them changes something and the other only rehearses. Pressing again feels better for a second, which is exactly why the habit survives while doing nothing. Some things are already in motion, and the only variable left is how you spend the wait.

When you catch yourself in the loop, ask whether an action is available. If there is one, take it now. If there is not, put your attention where it will still matter tomorrow.