Commitment Device

I am deliberately going through the book I am reading slowly (Atomic Habits).  I am reading a chapter and then having a think about it and writing about it.  From its title it can be derived that the book is about habits. 
I love the latest chapter I have been reading.  To me there is head knowledge and heart knowledge.  This book if full of good advice on the head knowledge level.  But what I am finding is it has application to heart knowledge.
Those that know me know I am a great believer in transformational change.  I have experienced it, and seen it in others.  What is interesting to me though is that even transformation change based on a change of heart finds expression though head knowledge.  Much of what I am reading puts a practical emphasis on the outworking of a change of heart.  It seems in many instances transformation change finds expression in the automatic doing of what is espoused in this book.
I feel that transformational change must come first or else the advice given in the book is informational with a limited life span.   But when taken on board as a result of transformational change, it has application for a lifetime and beyond.
The chapter I am reading has what I find an interesting sentence, “Commitment devices are useful because they enable you to take advantage of good intentions before you can fall victim to temptations.”
I looked up “commitment devices” and found it is a common term in the study of decision making.  It is all about making wrong decisions difficult and right decisions easier.  What is meant by wrong decisions has wide application but can be as simple as watching an inappropriate amount of tv and avoiding getting fit.
Merril and I have just instituted a commitment device recently.  We had an exercise machine we call our nemesis (elliptical trainer) in a shed that was way hot and we only went into to get things.  We have now brough the device out and have it near where we sit.  As a result we have made getting fit easier as a device we need is at hand, rather than in a place we will not go to to exercise.
I would call it a commitment device.  It seems to me it can be difficult to do the right thing at times not just because I may have a problem with my will but because I make it difficult to do the right thing.  One part of me says getting fitter is more advantageous to me that watching tv as a measure of avoidance.  Therefore, I make it easier to do the right thing.
To me this sort of thing has a wide application.  Doing the best thing for me moves it from the realm of “wish list” to doing.  Behaviour is a doing word.