WHAT IS BEEMINDER?

Beeminder cleverly combines self-tracking and monetary incentives to help you stick to your goals. You pledge (actual money) to keep all your data points on a Yellow Brick Road to your goal and if you go off track, you pay your pledge.

WHO IS BEEMINDER FOR?

Here's the way to find out if Beeminder could be useful for you: Is there anything you know you should do, you really do want to do, you know for certain you can do, yet that historically you don't do? (Also, are you a nerdy, lifehacking data freak?) If yes, you should try it!

WHAT CAN BEEMINDER TRACK?

Anything you can quantify and graph! Here are some goals that our users have been minding:

o Hitting 145 pounds by December 31

o Reducing credit card balance to zero by January

o Blogging twice a month

o Getting rid of 100 possessions in the next year

o Being able to do 50 pushups by September 22

o Eating, on average, 5 servings of fruit/vegetables per day

o Practicing guitar 7 hours per week

o Staying at or below 148 pounds

o Doing 45 minutes of resistance training per week

o Biking 1956 miles in 2011 (until odometer hits 5000)

o Spending 40 hours a week building Beeminder (we eat our own dog food!)

o Biking 50 miles per week leading up to the NYC Century

o Reading Ulysses by December 15

o Clearing out 1 email per day till inbox is at 25 messages

o Getting in bed by 10pm at least 5 nights a week

o Calling or writing to at least one person per day

o Reviewing 10 Anki cards per day

o Flossing at least every other day

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For more on the philosophy behind Beeminder, google Akrasia and Self-Binding.

The Beeminder Android app was designed and built by Uluç Saranlı.

Beeminder is a web-based and mobile application designed to help individuals achieve their goals by tracking progress and providing motivation. It operates on the premise of "negative reinforcement," where users pledge money against their goals and risk losing it if they fail to meet their targets.

Key Features:

* Goal Tracking: Beeminder allows users to create specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals.

* Data Visualization: Progress is displayed graphically, providing users with a clear overview of their performance.

* Pledging: Users commit a monetary amount to their goals, which they stand to lose if they fall behind.

* Escalation: If a user fails to meet their goal, the amount they pledge is increased, creating a sense of urgency.

* Goal Reversal: Users can "ratchet down" their goals if they find them too challenging, ensuring that they remain attainable.

How It Works:

1. Set a Goal: Define a specific goal with a clear metric and deadline.

2. Make a Pledge: Commit a monetary amount that you will lose if you fail to achieve your goal.

3. Track Your Progress: Regularly log your progress towards your goal using the Beeminder app or website.

4. Escalation: If you fall behind, your pledge amount increases, incentivizing you to catch up.

5. Goal Reversal: If you find your goal to be too ambitious, you can ratchet it down to make it more achievable.

Benefits:

* Increased Motivation: The fear of losing money creates a strong incentive to stay on track.

* Accountability: The public nature of the pledges fosters accountability and reduces procrastination.

* Data-Driven Feedback: Visualizing progress helps users identify areas for improvement and adjust their strategies accordingly.

* Flexibility: The ability to ratchet down goals allows users to adapt to changing circumstances and avoid burnout.

Considerations:

* Monetary Stakes: The use of monetary pledges can be motivating, but it may not be suitable for everyone.

* Potential for Anxiety: The threat of losing money can create stress and anxiety for some users.

* Technical Proficiency: Beeminder requires a basic understanding of data visualization and goal tracking.

Conclusion:

Beeminder is a powerful tool that can help individuals achieve their goals by providing motivation, accountability, and data-driven feedback. Its unique approach of using negative reinforcement creates a sense of urgency that can help users overcome procrastination and stay on track. However, it is important to consider the potential drawbacks before using Beeminder, particularly the financial stakes and the potential for anxiety.