"The procrastinator thinks, 'If I never finish, I can never be judged.' "

"The chronic procrastinator knows he's presenting a negative image, but he'd rather be perceived negatively for lack of effort than for lack of ability. Lack of ability is a stable attribute, but lack of effort is shifting -- it means you could do it, you might be able to do it."

Like others here, I have to identify with this. (I wonder if this confession will help me get moving?) Actually I know I could do it. But still I just hate being judged, which hasn't helped me in my academic work either. When I do end up getting something done, just on deadline, and I'm finally judged, everyone is very positive; but still, I don't like the raw fact of having to submit to it. Something very unhealthy about that. A combination of pride and self-doubt that makes no sense, objectively.

There's always hope, though. That's both the problem and the solution.