Blog
Writing for people who want their promises to matter.
The blog explains the model, the behavioral logic behind commitment devices, and why lock in is a voluntary tool for people who want real stakes.
Featured
May 4, 2026 · 4 min read
Behavioral economics reading list
The papers behind lock in's model: present bias, precommitment, costly deadlines, and why the rule has to be set before the excuse arrives.
Archive
April 10, 2026 · 5 min read
Why Good Intentions Are Cheap
Good intentions feel valuable because they let you borrow the identity of discipline without paying the price of action. A real commitment adds specificity, stakes, and the possibility of loss.
April 10, 2026 · 5 min read
There’s a Difference Between Punishment and Voluntary Stakes
Punishment is imposed on you. Voluntary stakes are chosen by you in advance. Lock-in enforces a commitment the user set for themselves; it does not invent the cost or impose it after the fact.
April 10, 2026 · 5 min read
Lock-in Is Not for Everyone. That’s the Point.
Lock-in is not built for people who want soft encouragement, inspirational quotes, or passive habit tracking. It is built for people who already know they perform better when there are real stakes.
April 9, 2026 · 6 min read
Commitment Devices Work Because Motivation Fails
Most people do not fail because they lack information. They fail in the moment, when short-term comfort beats long-term intention. Commitment devices exist for that exact gap.
April 7, 2026 · 5 min read
Why subscriptions if I’m already paying when I fail?
The subscription pays for the product itself: the app, infrastructure, check-ins, notifications, support, enforcement logic, and ongoing development.
From essay to rule
Read the logic. Then set the rule.
Choose the place, define the window, and decide the consequence before the negotiation starts.