This does not really work, at least for the pathological procrastinators. I know because I’ve lived most of my life like that. It made me pretty good at side activities that will do little for my wellbeing or my financial and social success. Using the author’s example: if you read a lot but you only get paid to write, sooner or later real life will show you the bill. Yes, all that reading might come useful here or there, but the value/time ratio will be abysmally low - and at the back of your mind, the negative feeling of having wasted time will reinforce a downward spiral of negativity and self-hatred.

I think I turned a corner on this issue recently, but I don’t want to preach and everyone is different. I just want to say: if your procrastination is at chronic levels, you have to accept you’re powerless, seek professional help, and sincerely commit to the solutions they suggest. It can take very little to fix, but it’s often impossible to do if you don’t admit to yourself that you’ve lost control.