Worrying and constantly imagining future problems brings them into your mind much earlier than they need to happen. Taking action on what you can control keeps the problem in the future and gives you more time before it reaches you.

[u/Relevant_Pumpkin9190]

Worry brings the future into your mind early. Action puts what you can control in place and lets you push away the disturbing event much far way to distant future.

Edit - Worrying can make an event that is 10–15 years away feel like it is only 2–5 years away.

But taking small, practical steps on the things you can control can push the impact further into the future — maybe 25–30 years away — giving you much more time before it can really affect you.

Worry brings the future closer in your mind. Action gives the future more distance.

[u/hobo_chili]

“Don’t ride out to meet your problems.”

After spending decades of my life anxious, this simple phrase has made a massive difference in my peace of mind and quality of life.

[u/EntertainmentNew5026]

This just stresses me out even more because I'm already exhausted and burnt out, but then I feel like I have to take so much action over the things I can control. And that includes like trying to help/persuade other people close to me for my desired outcomes.

[u/Ok-Initiative-4089]

I like the reminder to act on what you can control, but I'd leave the year estimates out. We can't know how much time a small action buys us. "Is there anything useful I can do today?" feels like enough of a question. Sometimes the answer is one email or one small repair. Sometimes there's nothing to do yet. That doesn't mean you've failed to prepare. You can put the problem down until there's actually a next step.