Vince DeVita said it was the main strategy in the 60s. Extend enough to find a new idea. Today things are standardized but if you fall out of the solution, you're given morphine and a bed. Which I find dreadful. Your friend life is a, pardon my french, interesting story.. because he managed to jump above deadlines but I can understand how spiritually damaging it is to always take your fate in your own hand every few years.

Good luck to him