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I learned about this gem of a site while reading the book Nudge by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein.

Stickk.com helps people reach specific goals they set for themselves: goals from the seemingly small (such as “make an appointment for the dentist”) to the quite ambitious (say, “stop using illegal drugs”). Conceived by Dean Karlan (a Yale economics professor) and Ian Ayres (an economist and Yale Law professor), the Stickk process is simple yet effective; apparently users as a whole are experiencing a success rate of almost 80%. Not bad, eh?

Here’s how it works:

First, you set your goal.

Second, set the stakes for not reaching your goal. For example, you could set the stakes at $250. If you reach your goal, you get your $250 back. If you don’t reach your goal, that $250 goes directly to charity. Or, as an even greater incentive, Stickk.com allows you to set an “Anti-charity” as the recipient of your money should you fail to reach your goal. Anti-charities support causes you strongly disagree with. How would you feel if you didn’t stick to your commitment and all your money went to … the NRA? The Education Fund to Stop Gun Violence? How about the NARAL Pro-Choice America Foundation? The Americans United for Life?

Third, pick a referee who will monitor and verify the progress of your Stickk Commitment Contract.

Fourth, enlist friends and website members aiming for similar goals to act as your support group.

Then it’s time to start working to reach your goal! And thankfully, it’s not as easy to cheat the system as you might think.

So stop drinking coffee!

Start eating breakfast every morning!

Do 20 sit-ups every day!

Stop the excuses, and start reaching your goals!

You’re not alone; Stickk.com and its users are there to help you every step of the way.