How to Boost Self-Control With a Commitment Device

A commitment device is a technique used to boost self-control and avoid procrastination. It's a decision you make in advance to restrict the future choices you can take. Buying your food a week in advance for example means you can't snack on chocolate on a Friday night because you simply don't have any in the house. By just publicly declaring that you'll do something will make you more likely to complete it. This is what Todd Rogers discovered before American elections asking people to share where they'll vote and how they'll get to the polling station boosted voter turnout by 9.1%. Robert Chaldini shares similar study in his book, Pre-Swasion.