A commitment device is a method to lock yourself into behavior modification by associating it with a reward or a punishment.

We all have goals to achieve and behavioral changes we want to implement. Making the resolution is the easy part. The implementation and the work that is to be put in daily is the real challenge.

The commitment devices that seem to work better than others are the ones that are like gentle reminders and are not having negative emotions (like fear) attached to them.

New research suggests we are less prone to keep working on our goals after we publicize them. This is because we may end up talking about our goals and celebrating our success prematurely rather than implementing them.