In a recent guest essay for the New York Times, Adam Grant argues that humans are notoriously bad at predicting the future. Yet, we often engage in endless cycles of worry. Grant writes, "It's unsettling to realize we have no power to predict the future because it means we aren't in control of our fate." This worry, especially in the face of uncertain political landscapes, can make us feel vigilant, but it risks becoming a passive activity that distracts us from meaningful action. Instead of spurring us forward, worry can paralyze us, leading to the complacency we fear.
"It's unsettling to realize we have no power to predict the future, because it means we aren't in control of our fate."
It's easy to look back on recent political history and feel a surge of anxiety. Many of us watched former President Trump's first term unfold, concerned about everything he promised to dismantle. Yet, despite the noise, he didn't manage to fully dismantle the Affordable Care Act, nor did he complete his infamous border wall. Reflecting on these failures reminds us that the worst possibilities don't always materialize as we imagine they will. However, there's always the "what if?" – the worry that the worst may come to pass if we let our guard down.
Why Worrying Feels Like Action
We often mistake our internal vigilance for action, fooling ourselves into believing that alertness is enough to prevent disaster. Worry is an emotional response that tends to elicit a fight-or-flight reaction. Yet, rather than pushing us toward genuine fight or flight, worry often causes us to freeze, stuck in a loop of fear and speculation. Research on worry supports this: when worry becomes chronic, it can drain mental resources and reduce our capacity to engage in practical, solution-oriented thinking.
Excessive worry "makes us feel like we're doing something, but it's merely "a negative form of self-talk."
In her book How to Free Yourself From Anxiety, clinical psychologist Dr. Tamar Chansky notes that excessive worry "makes us feel like we're doing something, but it's merely "a negative form of self-talk." This self-talk keeps us anxious and, in a way, self-satisfied, as we believe we're staying vigilant and caring more than others who don't seem as alarmed.
Worry and Complacency: Two Sides of the Same Coin
In truth, worry alone is no safeguard. In fact, our anxiety may be reinforcing the very complacency we're worried about. If we sit at home reading endless news updates, sharing social media posts, and talking to friends who share our fears, it may feel like we're engaged – but it is, ultimately, a way of staying comfortably inside our bubbles.
This cycle mirrors what Grant has described in previous writings as the psychological trap of inaction masked as hyper-awareness. The irony is that the "stay vigilant" mindset can make us more passive, as if worry itself is the action we need to take. It's a kind of mental reassurance, a protective mechanism that keeps us from feeling helpless but does little to change outcomes.
Breaking the Cycle of Worry: Turning Awareness into Action
The only way to avoid complacency is to act, not in the imaginary world of "what ifs" but in the real world of local decisions, civic meetings, and grassroots initiatives. This means doing the uncomfortable things – like showing up, even when it feels awkward or lonely, and being present in spaces where decisions are made.
What would this look like in practice? For some, it's attending city council meetings, where big decisions affecting local communities are made. For others, it may involve calling representatives, writing to local newspapers, or speaking up at school board meetings. It means leaving the comfort of our physical and digital spaces and being prepared to take a stand, experience setbacks, and keep going.
Pick One Issue and Commit to Action
With so many issues to address, from healthcare to climate change to education, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Instead of spreading your worry thin over everything, pick one cause that truly resonates with you. Learn everything you can about it, both the pros and the cons, and consider ways to get involved that go beyond online sharing. Join a local advocacy group or find others working toward similar goals to create an action accountability group. Make your first commitment a small, achievable task: writing a letter, attending a local meeting, or engaging with your community.
Find Community and Take Steps Toward Accountability
Worry doesn't have to be isolating. By connecting with others who share your concerns, you can build a supportive network that helps you transform those worries into actionable goals. Start a community accountability group dedicated to tracking and supporting one another's actions, big or small. When we gather around a shared goal, we can motivate each other to turn anxiety into tangible steps forward.
The Courage to Confront Discomfort
Sometimes, your voice won't be heard, or your concerns will be dismissed. This will definitely be discouraging. But taking action, even in small ways, is more powerful than worrying alone. We can't predict the future, and worrying won't stop bad things from happening. But choosing to participate in our communities—to speak up, to write, to act—these are the actions that create potential for change.
"The best way to protect the future is not to predict it, but to invent it."
As Grant reminds us, "The best way to protect the future is not to predict it, but to invent it." So, let's embrace that as a call to action. Instead of allowing worry to paralyze us, let's channel it into courageous actions that, piece by piece, shape the world we want to live in.
If worry is complacency, action is empowerment.
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