From the archive

Self-improvement as a way to do nothing

Preparation is a wonderful place. You haven't failed there yet. Your future book can still be brilliant, your business profitable, your new career perfect. Reality hasn't been given anything it can argue with. You read about other people's success and gradually borrow the feeling of making progress. Watched a lesson: almost like working. Bought access: almost like making a serious decision. Filled in a beautiful spreadsheet: practically changed your destiny. A pleasant evening. Not a single actual rejection. Not a single piece of bad work you had to look at and admit was yours.