I always here people talk about the movie stars and the shape that they are in – It goes something like this – I could look like Brad Pitt in Fight Club if I had a personal trainer and $20 million to lose. Well what if instead of getting $20 million you had to pay $500?
Enter the website stickk.com . You make contracts with real consequences (optional money) on the line. You commit to do something and then have a nonpartisan report on you progress. It is strict accountability!
How about losing weight. Say you want to lose 10 pounds over the next 10 weeks. You set up a goal date and goal weight. Then you weigh in each week and have the nonpartisan report it. If you met your goal – CONGRATULATIONS. If not, your credit card is charged the appropriate amount ($$$) - Would you rather lose a pound next week or $500? Let me show you how it works.
Just in time for New Year’s Resolutions, here’s a guide to make weight loss resolutions stickK. It’s The $500 Diet and for a limited time you can read it for free.
You can pick from several resolutions – Lose Weight, Exercise Regularly, Quit Smoking, Race!, Maintain Weight, or a Custom Goal.Most diet books are written by physicians and scientists, but The $500 Diet is my attempt to give economics and contract law a chance to change how much you want to eat. It’s a seven-step plan to strengthen your resolve – to help you make credible New Year’s resolutions.
Would you rather lose a pound next week or $500?
Optionally you can put money at stake to ensure that you reach your goal. You give you credit card information. You can have the money go to an individual, a charity or an ANTI charity (brutal).
You then assign a referee to monitor and report your progress. If you do not succeed then your credit card is charged appropriately.
Here is the one I made for myself – Mardi Gras Marathon – sub-3 hours.
I think it all boils down to motivation to stick to your goal and follow through with your goal. If $$$ is what motivates someone to accomplish his or her goal, then so be it!
ReplyDeleteI think that is why most resolutioners call it quits after 3 weeks. The carrot they were chasing, or lack there of, was eaten already.
This is why I think running or triathlon is such a good motivator. You can't just do a triathlon in 3 weeks (well, you can) but usually a good 6 month training plan is better, and after that, it has fit into your lifestyle and is easier to continue. That is how it happened with me.
What a clever idea... I am sorry I didn't think of it first!
ReplyDeleteWOW, that is brutal... anti charity haha.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing that would keep people honest is a scale with bluetooth capability or some sort of wireless connection to keep you honest.
I would be motivated for sure.
Sub 3 hrs... ARE YOU SERIOUS? Good luck man, cannot WAIT to follow this journey :)
This is fantastic! I would also need someone to come over to my house at 5am to make sure I don't spend an hour hitting snooze!
ReplyDeletePretty cool idea and I'm guessing he's tapping into something for many. I'm pulling for your sub-3!
ReplyDelete