Commitment devices

Things I use and love

Beeminder

You commit to a recurring goal, and if you miss a check-in they charge you money.

I usually have a few goals going at a time, but the one that’s probably done me the most good is “No Zero Days” — each day’s check-in includes a comment of one 10-minute-or-less task I need to get done before the following day at midnight. It lets me engage in my favorite hobby, foisting annoying problems off on Future Me, while actually getting things done in a semi-timely manner.

Opal

Screentime blocking that actually works.

I tried using Apple’s built-in screen time limits and it took me maybe a week to realize they don’t work on me, because I know exactly where to disable them, and will do so. Opal’s “Deep Focus” mode physically does not let you disable it outside of pre-set windows, and it’s exactly what I needed.

The Most Dangerous Writing App

Set a timer, and keep typing until it runs out… or else all your progress will be lost.

I use it in 3-5 minute bursts, and in one such burst I might produce 400 words and find that 300 of them are gibberish, but that’s still a hundred words I didn’t have before!

Things I want to try

Stickk

I think it’s like Beeminder but more for one-time goals?

Focusmate

Virtual coworking/body doubling.