Healthier Lifestyles through “Commitment Contracts”

This can be pretty hardcore, but we’re all adults here, right? Check out stickK! It’s a service that “promotes healthier and happier living by helping people achieve their personal goals through the signing of Commitment Contracts.” Founded by Yale economists who tested the idea through behavioral and economic research, the concept of Commitment Contracts is grounded on the principles that 1) people don’t always do what they claim they want to do, and (2) incentives get people to do things.
So, stickK helps you select your goal (lose weight or quit smoking for example), set the stakes (i.e., pay money to charity if you fail your goal), get a referee (a friend to make the final call), and invite friends to cheer you on.
Looking at the “hot contracts” at stickK, like “recycle paper” and “buy only organic produce,” it looks like it can be used for a lot of less-intense goals, too.