Beeminder 4+

Beeminder is an incredibly useful tool for motivation and achieving goals. Their iOS app is merely used for goal tracking and not for payment — I hope it continues to be available for a long time! The web site is clear on the fact that users are signing up to pay if they don’t follow through on their commitments to themselves.

One reason this works is that humans are naturally highly loss averse – I have caught myself spending an hour working on a project that I really wanted to do, but the initial spark was a desire to avoid paying $5. The end result is a profound satisfaction with what Beeminder helped me accomplish.

I’ve used Beeminder for many years, and I’ve really embraced the idea that, as the app’s creators write, “Paying is not punishment.” Far from cheating it’s users, Beeminder is helping its users be true to themselves.

Beeminder is a unique and innovative way to get more done. If you’re a procrastinator, give it a try. The closest other services are StickK and healthywager, but Beeminder is better, especially if you’re a quantitative type. You set up a goal and agree to pay a penalty if you don’t reach your goal. You can always weasel out of paying, but that defeats the purpose. The creators are very fair: if you stop using Beeminder, your subscription automatically ends. You can cancel just as easily as you can join. You can enter data yourself or set up any of dozens of APIs to enter data for you. Some canonical goals include losing weight, reducing your inbox, writing a novel, etc.

Beeminder is a fantastic app for people who want to track their progress and hold themselves accountable for reaching their goals. The app is very easy to use and has a clean and intuitive interface.

One of the things I love about Beeminder is its unique approach to goal-setting. Rather than simply setting a goal and hoping to achieve it, Beeminder helps you stay on track by imposing financial consequences if you fail to meet your targets. This might sound harsh, but it's actually a very effective way to keep yourself motivated and accountable.

Another great feature of Beeminder is its integration with other apps and services. For example, you can connect Beeminder to your fitness tracker or to-do list app, and it will automatically track your progress and update your goals accordingly.

Overall, I highly recommend Beeminder to anyone who wants to take their goal-setting to the next level. Whether you're trying to get in shape, learn a new skill, or simply stay organized, Beeminder can help you stay on track and achieve your goals.