Docs
The science behind Road Mates
Every mechanism in Road Mates is built on a finding from goal-setting research. Each page covers one: what it does, what the studies found, where the evidence is thin, and links to the papers.
Overview
Road Mates turns a goal into a road of phases, asks you to prove each one, lets you stake money on finishing, and surrounds you with witnesses and people on the same road. We combine the best-supported parts of the research into a single, honestly labelled estimate: about 1.9× as likely to reach your goal.
How to read effects
Effects are reported as d (Cohen's d) or g (Hedges' g). Around 0.2 is small, 0.5 medium and 0.8 large. They measure shifts in outcomes, not percentage points, so we convert them to success rates on the combined estimate page.
Mechanisms
Phased roadmap with proof
Your goal becomes phases. Each phase has a specific proof you must show before you pass.
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Stake and pot
You put money on your goal. Passing phases returns it; missed phases feed the pot that finishers share.
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Compass
Yes/no reflective questions at each phase that nudge you back on course.
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Needle
A slider tied to your compass answers. It starts balanced; the goal is to tip it toward your future self.
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Momentum bar and heatmap
The momentum bar and the cover heatmap on your profile show how often you showed up.
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Gamification
Stakes, the momentum bar, the heatmap and the needle turn showing up into something you can see and win.
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Proofs as your journal
Every proof you add becomes a record of your hard work, a running log of small wins.
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Identity: profile and share cards
“I want to become ___” is your bio. Your profile and share cards make that identity visible to others.
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Witnesses and accountability
Invite people to witness your journey. Reporting progress to someone is one of the stronger levers in the research.
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Like-minded people and phase peers
Every phase shows who is in it now and who has already passed it.
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Coaches
A coach for the hard phases of your road. Sessions: 15 min free, then 1 hour for $89.
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Combined estimate
How we turn separate studies into one number, and why you should treat it as a model.
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