In response to a woman who asked, “How is making long term plans not a contradiction to our firm belief in Moshiach’s imminent arrival.” The Rebbe answered:
״ידועה הוראת כ”ק מו”ח אדמו”ר – שצ”ל הנהגה יומית – מבלי להתבלבל שאמר זה עתה שמאמין בכל יום ומחכה ומצפה שיבוא ביום זה – ובעצמו עשה תוכניות על זמן דכו”כ שבועות״
“It is well known the directive of my father in law, the Rebbe – that there needs to be proper day-to-day conduct – without getting confused by what he just said that he believes every day in Moshiach’s arrival and he waits and expects that Moshiach will actually come on this very day.
In fact, the Frierdiker Rebbe himself made plans for many weeks in advance”.
See the sicha of Parshas Pinchas 5751 for more on this topic. ■